9 Venereal diseases that you may have without realizing it & bull; hello healthy

Venereal disease does not always cause visible symptoms. Some types of venereal disease can be completely asymptomatic so that you never realize that you have actually had this disease for a long time, until you finally experience serious complications. This can increase the risk of transmitting the disease to other people. That's why doctors and health professionals call venereal disease a "hidden epidemic."

Several types of venereal disease are common but asymptomatic

1. Trichomoniasis

One type of venereal disease that does not cause symptoms is trichomoniasis. A person can live temporarily infected with the parasite Trichomonas vaginalis for years, without knowing that he is sick.

When they appear, they can be vague and are often misunderstood as a symptom of another disease. The most common symptoms of trichomoniasis are foul-smelling vaginal discharge for women and a foreign-smelling discharge from the penis for men.

Women and men can also experience itching in the sex organs, a burning and burning sensation when urinating, or pain during sex.

2. Mono (mononucleosis)

Mono aka mononucleosis is a viral infection caused by EBV (Epstein-Barr Virus). This infection is not commonly transmitted through the genitals and intimate organ fluids, but from the exchange of saliva when kissing.

Most cases of mono are not accompanied by typical symptoms, except for complaints of "not feeling well" which include fatigue and aches, chills, and low-grade fever. At first glance, this series of symptoms resembles the common cold or even mistaken for cold symptoms, so it is often underestimated.

3. Intestinal parasitic infection

Intestinal parasitic infection is a type of venereal disease that is transmitted through faecal exposure that passes from one person to another during anal sex, oral sex, or oral-anal sex (rimming).

Human feces contains billions of parasites and bacteria which are the result of food waste. One of them is E. histolytica, the parasite that causes amebiasis.

People who are the "parent" of these parasites in their intestines may not show any symptoms, but they can pass the parasite on to their sex partners.

The incubation period for parasites in the new host ranges averaging 2-4 weeks from initial exposure until symptoms appear. Common symptoms of this parasitic infection include nausea, stomach pain, diarrhea, stomach cramps, weight loss and vomiting.

E. histolytica infection is most often found in gay men, but it is possible that heterosexual couples can also contract this infection if they do not apply the principles of safe sex.

4. Molluscum contagiosum

Molluscum contagiosum (Molluscum contagiosum) is a venereal disease caused by a poxvirus. Apart from unprotected sex, this disease can also be transmitted through regular skin contact such as borrowing clothes or bath towels.

The most common symptom of molluscum contagiosum is the appearance of genital warts, which start as soft, itchy lesions. This infection is generally not followed by other systemic symptoms that follow, such as fever, nausea, or feeling unwell. That's why someone can live for years without realizing that they are infected.

5. HPV

Human papilloma virus (HPV) is one of the most common types of venereal disease. Unfortunately, not everyone will automatically show symptoms of HPV infection.

You are very likely to be exposed to the HPV virus without feeling the slightest symptoms even after many years. Genital skin growths are the easiest symptom to detect, but again many people don't have them.

Even if there are no symptoms, it does not mean you are free from the risk. Several types of HPV viruses can cause cervical cancer.

6. Chlamydia

Chlamydia is one of the most common venereal diseases in women under 25 years of age.

Symptoms may first appear within a few weeks of having sex with an infected sex partner, such as smelly vaginal discharge and a burning sensation when urinating. It's easy to mistake these symptoms for a yeast infection or bacterial vaginosis.

Vaginal bleeding outside the menstrual cycle, lower back pain, and pain during sex are also potential symptoms of chlamydia.

For women, the consequences of chlamydia will be much more serious. Left untreated, chlamydia can spread to the uterus, resulting in pelvic inflammatory infection (PID). For men, chlamydia rarely develops into a more severe condition, but they can pass it on to their partners.

7. Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is a venereal disease caused by infection with gonococcus bacteria or Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Similar to chlamydia, gonorrhea is common in sexually active women under the age of 25.

More than 50% of people infected with gonorrhea do not show any signs and symptoms. this. This means that there are so many people around the world who live infected with gonorrhea without realizing they are sick.

Symptoms of gonorrhea are similar to those of chlamydia, namely vaginal bleeding outside of the menstrual schedule, foul-smelling vaginal discharge, and pain during urination or during sex.

Gonorrhea that is diagnosed and treated late can increase a woman's risk of developing pelvic inflammation (PID and further damage to the reproductive organs. This infection can also increase a person's risk of getting HIV to fatal infections that attack the blood, brain, heart and joints.

8. Genital herpes

Herpes is a type of venereal disease whose main symptom is the appearance of small red rashes that are blistered and feel sore. Apart from the intimate area, red rash can also appear around the lips and mouth if you catch herpes from oral sex. Some people also may feel itchy when urinating.

However, again not everyone who is infected will experience symptoms. In fact, it is estimated that about 90% of cases of herpes simplex 2 (HSV-2) are never diagnosed.

Herpes is highly contagious when there are open sores on the skin, but it can also spread when no sores are present. Plus, condoms won't always protect you from herpes if the virus is present on exposed skin outside of the condom.

9. Syphilis

Syphilis or syphilis or the lion king is a sexually transmitted disease that can have fatal consequences.

This infection is caused by a spiral bacteria called Treponema pallidum which can live anywhere in the body and spreads rapidly. It's easy to live with syphilis for years without realizing that you have it.

Many of the signs and symptoms of syphilis are similar to those of other diseases. At first you may only notice the appearance of sores without cause in the genital area, around the mouth, or also on the hands, although rarely. These sores can grow to look like boils or warts that are not painful and may ooze if they burst. However, the lesions will disappear on their own after six weeks.

Another characteristic of syphilis is complaints of "not feeling well" similar to flu symptoms, such as fever, sore throat, bone aches, and headaches.

Syphilis can easily be called one of the worst sexually transmitted diseases a pregnant woman can have, as it almost always causes stillbirths or miscarriages in addition to other serious health problems.

If left untreated or treated only in its late stages, syphilis causes undeniable nerve and cardiovascular damage, including heart disease, blindness, and paralysis.

Important for venereal disease testing

Many types of venereal disease are asymptomatic, but have fatal consequences that can be life threatening. Therefore, it is very important to see a doctor for a venereal disease test if you have recently had unprotected sex and suspect you are experiencing unusual symptoms.

In general, watch out if you feel a slight itching or burning sensation in the genital area, notice a rash or lump for no reason that may suddenly disappear, feel pain when urinating, or experience back pain during sex.