April is STD Awareness Month. Sexually Transmitted Diseases such as Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, and Syphilis are infections that are commonly overlooked and untreated.
Gonorrhea and Chlamydia are often confused and sometimes people are diagnosed as having both infections at the same time.
Gonorrhea symptoms in men include pain during urination, a discharge from the penis, and sometimes swollen painful testicles. Symptoms in women include painful urination or discharge and sometimes vaginal bleeding. Being asymptomatic is common for both men and women.
Chlamydia known for its lack of symptoms is noted as a silent infection. Men might experience a burning, itching, or discharge during urination. Women may experience a discharge, bleeding, painful urination, or back pain.
Syphilis is the great pretender. Known for its initial painless sore at infection site the infection is missed until it gets to the secondary stage where a rash on the palms and soles of the feet is present.
These STD's when in the throat or rectum are even more mild than when they occur in the vagina or penis in men. Regular screening is important for anyone who is sexually active especially if you have more than one regular partner. Have you been tested or will you this year?
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