Infections which are transmitted from one person to another person through sexual contact whether vaginal, anal, or oral are called as Sexually Transmitted Disease. It can be caused by a bacteria, virus or a parasite and are most commonly seen in young adults.

Common STD’s include Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea, HIV, Syphilis, Trichomoniasis, Hepatitis B and Genital Herpes.

People who are at risk are those having unprotected sex, multiple partners, individuals who had previous history of STD, people with weakened immunity, sharing of needles, from an infected mother to baby and rarely through breast feeding.

Common symptoms include soreness and rashes around genitals, Itching and burning while urinating, pain and discomfort during sex, abdominal pain, recurrent fever and unusual penal or vaginal discharges. Every individual affected with STD would not have these symptoms, they can be carriers, in such cases screenings are the only way to diagnose the disease.

STD tests differ. Some are blood test, urine sample or a swab from any active discharges. Screenings are done while symptoms are not present and may help in preventing STD and complication associated with the condition.

Sexually transmitted disease might seem scary, but most of the times the disease can be easily cured with medicine and do not cause any serious problems if treated at an early stage.