AbstractThe research paper attempts to discuss sexually transmitted diseases. The article provides a broader explanation of what STDs are, how they spread, and possible treatments. The study also presents specific examples of sexually transmitted diseases with symptoms and specific treatment. Among the other discussions in the document are the challenges that undermine the treatment of sexually transmitted diseases. Like any other disease, the article lists in detail the health defects that can result from STD infection. The document provides demographics and approximate data on the spread and infection of sexually transmitted diseases. The study establishes the most recommended preventive and curative measures to be taken to control sexually transmitted diseases. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Introduction Human health is crucial in all aspects. However, illnesses and injuries represent significant challenges to human health. These compromise the body's immunity and interfere with the normal functioning of various body systems. Severe ill health leads to death. Among the greatest threats to human health are sexually transmitted infections. Sexually transmitted diseases are among the most contagious and deadly diseases in the world, the spread of which has been increasing over the decades. Among these STDs have been declared global pandemics, the most familiar and most threatening being HIV/AIDS (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2015, pp.66). Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), also called sexually transmitted infections (STIs) refer to a list of disorders that are transmitted from one person to another through the vagina, mouth, or anus during sexual intercourse (Calvet 2009, pp.467 - 478). According to Workowski & Berman (2010, pp.55-78), sexually transmitted diseases are ubiquitous among people. The most infected group is the middle-aged group between 20 and 40 years old. Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2015, pp. 526-528) show that STD infection is highest in the 18 to 35 age group, with few cases younger than 18 years and above 45 years. The reason for this deviation is that middle-aged men and women are sexually active, and 98% of them have sexual partners through marriage or dating. In most of these infections, sexually transmitted diseases present silent symptoms that not even the infected person can diagnose without a specialist medical check-up. The list of sexually transmitted diseases is long. Calvet (2009, pp.467) discusses STDs starting with a list of the most common STDs. In the list, HIV/AIDS, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, genital herpes, and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection stand out as the most common types of sexually transmitted diseases. They are the most reported among the various nations. Other examples of sexually transmitted diseases include hepatitis B, molluscum contagiosum, scabies, trichomoniasis, and pubic lice. Each of these STDs has different symptoms, with different health effects and treatments. The good news is that all these STDs can be diagnosed within medical centers and their procedures are available. There are also control and prevention measures that the health departmentadvised the population to adopt. HIV/AIDS stands out as the giant in the jungle of sexually transmitted diseases. HIV is short for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. HIV is a deadly virus transmitted through vaginal fluids. However, there are other modes of transmission, such as exchange of blood through transfusion or open cuts, and breastfeeding. Among the most reported infections are those resulting from sexual intercourse. When HIV enters the body, it destroys immune cells, weakening the body's immune system. When the virus undermines the resistant body, diseases can quickly be contracted. The lack of a robust immune system makes the body prone to infections, which become difficult to treat even with drugs (Cohen 2004). The symptoms of HIV/AIDS are night sweats and continuous fever, oral candidiasis and skin rashes. Other symptoms include swollen glands, excessive and constant weight loss, herpes infection, and a thick, dry cough. In advanced stages, “waste syndrome” is a common symptom of the disease, in which the body thins out to the point of appearing to be severely malnourished. HIV has no cure. The available drug is an immune booster to make the victim stay healthier for longer. The drug also prevents the spread of the virus to other people. Control of HIV/AIDS occurs through abstinence or safe sex involving the use of condoms. The idea behind this is to control the exchange of body fluids such as semen and vaginal fluids which propagate the virus. Another sexually transmitted infection is syphilis. Syphilis is a common sexually transmitted disease spread by the Treponema palladium bacteria that causes acids called chancres. The acids are painless and make it difficult for the infected person to diagnose the disease. Acids appear ten days to three weeks after infection. If not diagnosed and treated at this stage, viruses disappear, but the virus advances to the second stage (Calvet 2009, pp. 472). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2015, pp.98) report on sexually transmitted diseases, the second stage of syphilis involves weight and hair loss, painless rashes, tiredness, headaches, and joint pain. These symptoms may, however, vary from individual to individual, becoming persistent over three months. In the third stage, victims show serious signs such as dementia, stroke, blindness, skin rashes, heart disease and paralysis. This third step is critical where syphilis can cause death if left untreated. Physical examination helps diagnose syphilis. A physical analysis is performed in the genital areas, after which a medical officer carries out a blood test after identifying the acids. Standard treatments for syphilis include antibiotics such as penicillin and azithromycin. Chancres can act as catalysts for other infections, so frequent medical monitoring and early treatment is necessary after diagnosis of the disease. Gonorrhea, also called "the clap", is a sexually transmitted disease common among adolescents and the middle-aged age group of 20-30 years. The disease is caused by a bacterium called Neisseria gonorrhea via semen or vaginal fluid. This bacterium infects moist, warm parts of the body such as the genitals, cervix, vagina, urethra, and throat. There have been cases of gonorrhea infection in the eyes where the victim rubs their eyes with their hands carrying the bacteria. Symptoms of gonorrhea include swelling of the tentacles, painful sensation when urinating, secretion of pus from the genitals and frequent urination. Fever, pain during sexual intercourse and menstruationprolonged are among other symptoms observed in women. However, a larger number of gonorrhea victims experience none of these symptoms. if the signs are not obvious, urgent and frequent tests by specialists are the only sure way to ascertain whether or not you have the infection. Modern antibiotics cure gonorrhea. Control of Gonnorea occurs through abstinence, maintaining a faithful sexual partner, and the use and proper disposal of condoms and dental dams (Workowski & Berman 2010, pp. 78). Genital herpes is another common sexually transmitted infection among sexually active partners. The simplex virus causes this infection. Recent research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2015, pp.66) shows that in six people between the ages of 19 and 40, about one person has genital herpes. Herpes is a very subtle infection with which you can survive for years without diagnosis. Herpes can affect the inside of the thighs and the butt. However, they do not pose a serious threat to human health. Unless it is painful and uncomfortable, genital herpes cannot cause death. Victims are advised to take anti-herpes medications when diagnosed with genital herpes. Safe sex or total abstinence is the safest prevention measure for genital herpes infection. According to Workowski & Berman (2010, pp. 178), most people live with sexually transmitted infections without a diagnosis. Chlamydia is another sexually transmitted disease caused by bacteria. It does not present specific symptoms so you can live for years without diagnosing the infection. The sneaky sign is so familiar to the human papillomavirus. Although human papillomavirus is considered the least harmless type of STI, recent research reveals that most cases of cervical cancer are due to human papillomavirus. Although the common understanding is that the human papillomavirus (HPV) goes off on its own, medications are needed to prevent the worst cases of cervical cancer. A Pap test helps diagnose abnormal cell growth within the cervix to establish HPV infections for vaccination. Another example of a sexually transmitted disease infection is hepatitis B. This infection is spread by the hepatitis B virus, commonly referred to as HBV. Disease after disease affects the liver. The virus, however, does not give diagnosable symptoms. Victims exhibit flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, joint pain, vomiting and loss of appetite. Flu-like symptoms make it difficult to diagnose the infection from symptoms without testing. Although the disease disappears on its own within 4-8 weeks, it can sometimes become chronic and damage the liver and chronic diseases such as live cirrhosis and liver cancer. Medical checks and tests are required by medical experts, who will then administer the hepatitis B vaccine after diagnosing the infection. Those who contract hepatitis B infection have a high chance of recovery, with few cases worsening to chronic levels due to lack of medication. The list of sexually transmitted diseases is endless. However, control and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases have been a challenge over the past decade. There is ignorance in the fight against sexually transmitted diseases. A greater percentage of sexually active people are living with sexually transmitted diseases, knowingly or unknowingly. This ignorance has made it difficult to control the situation and take control of such infections effectively. Just like the concept of sex, people fear revealing these infections to their partners as well. In most cases, you prefer to keep it to yourself.