STDs, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Classification
STDs can be divided, simply, into two main categories, according to curability. Sexually Transmitted Diseases that can be cured in one category and those that cannot be cured and removed from the body. So, the two main categories are Curable STDs and in curable.
Curable and Incurable STDs
curable Sexually Transmitted Diseases
- Curable STDs: These infections can be cured when the patient receives the proper medications. Som can be cured naturally without any medications. But, if you have been infected, you don’t need to take the risk, you have to opt for medications.
- Example of curable Sexually Transmitted Diseases: Syphilis, chancroid, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis infections are the most common curable STDs. All are bacterial, except for trichomoniasis, which is a protozoan infection.
incurable Sexually Transmitted Diseases
- Incurable STDs: These infections, till currently, cannot be cured. Even though, these diseases can be controlled and managed to make them as latent, (non-active) status, when the patient receives the proper medications. They can be managed but virus remains in the body. Research and studies are carried intensively to find a cure.
- Example of incurable Sexually Transmitted Diseases: They are mostly viral, the most dangerous is human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which can cause AIDS. Other incurable viral STDs include human papilloma virus (HPV), hepatitis B and genital herpes. In this presentation, genital herpes will be referred to as herpes.
Classification by cause
This classification is based on the causative agent of the disease. Sexually Transmitted Diseases, (Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), are caused by different types of bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. Therefore, they can be classified into the following 3 categories:
1- Bacterial STDs:
Among others in the long list of STDs, bacterial STDs are often the most common. Bacteria are the cause of several sexually transmitted diseases but are usually easy to diagnose, treat and prevent without problems if diagnosed early. So, they belong to the curable infections.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases caused by bacteria are cured by antibiotics. However, if not treated, they can cause serious implications, such as urethritis, ectopic pregnancy, and infertility. Most common bacterial STDs includes:
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhea
- Syphilis
- Vaginitis
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
2- Viral STDs:
These infections are caused by viruses. They are incurable but can be managed and controlled by medications. They can be passed from one person to another through sexual contact, non-sexual contact, from mother to baby during pregnancy – (or breast feeding), blood transfusion, and sharing needles with an infected person.
They usually persist life long and cannot be cured, such as include Herpes, HIV infections, Hepatitis B and HPV, where medications can only help in alleviating the symptoms and keep the virus in-active. The exceptions to this are some cases of HPV, and hepatitis that respond well to treatment or cure naturally for unknown reasons The following are common example of viral STDs:
- Genital herpes
- Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C (HCV)
- Human Papillomavirus Virus (HPV) or genital warts
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) that may cause Acquired Immunodeficiency Virus (AIDS)
3- Parasitic STDs:
These are caused by parasites. They can be transmitted during a sexual activity, contact with an infected person, from a infected mother to infant during childbirth and also by sharing personal objects. Common examples includes:
- Intestinal parasitic infections
- Public lice
- Scabies
- Vaginitis
- Trichomoniasis
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Summary
Sexually Transmitted Diseases, STDs, and be classified according to curability or to the causative agent. Those curable infections are usually caused by bacteria, while incurable ones are caused by viruses. Some viral STDs can be cured from their own. But, in any case, where you suspect to be exposed to infection, you have to seek medical advice.
