5 common STDs in men: Early Symptoms, Signs, Tests, & Prevention.

No one likes talking about Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). Sex has been considered to be so sacred and private that we shy away from any discussions about diseases and infections that are sexually transmitted.

If you thought this is any good news, here is an opportunity for further reflection. Both men and women are victims of sex. Studies have shown that men are more likely to die than women while women are more likely to be infected than men.

 

What then makes men die early? It is the lack of discussion about their infections. Men prefer to keep information about their sexuality and infections private.

If you haven’t had an opportunity to know your STI status, you’d better go for free STI testing now.

 five common STDs in men? 

     1.Chlamydia

Chlamydia is one of the common infections in men. Detection of Chlamydia infection in the body is, however, very difficult. Studies have shown that about 25-50 percent of the male infection with Chlamydia goes completely undetected.

Chlamydia infections in men rarely show any signs and symptoms.

Testing procedure

Urine is used to testing for the presence of Chlamydia in men. This is different from the case of women where a swab is used to test its presence in the body.

 In the urine test, a urine sample is taken and analyzed in the laboratory using machines that detect the existence of the infection in the body.

There are a machine and trained personnel in the laboratory who have the required expertise to conduct the test.

You might want to go for STD testing near you to receive this great experience.

Signs and symptoms

Signs and symptoms do not justify the existence of Chlamydia in the body. It can only offer you a small hint on the likelihood of the infection.

Chlamydia infections do not have many signs and symptoms. In many cases, the symptoms do not show up at all.

Some of the early symptoms of Chlamydia include:

  • Pain in the body
  • Consistent fever
  • Unpleasant discharge from the penis
  • Burning sensation when an infected person is urinating
  • Pain and swelling in the tentacles in the body

Preventive mechanisms

Chlamydia can be treated through the administration of antibodies. Other preventive measures might include:

  • Abstaining from sex
  • Having protected sex
  • Avoiding sex under the influence of drugs.
  • Going for consistent STD tests.

  2.Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea often infects the genital, rectums, throat, or the eyes of an individual.  In men, Gonorrhea infection often affects the genitals, save for those who engage in oral sex.

Early symptoms of Gonorrhea

Some of the early symptoms of gonorrhea are:

  • A white, yellow, or green urethral discharge
  • Pain while urinating’
  • Testicular or scrotal pains

Preventive Mechanisms

Administration of antibiotics treats Gonorrhea. Other preventive mechanisms include:

  • Abstaining from sex
  • Having protected sex
  • Avoiding sex under the influence of drugs.
  • Knowing your sexual partner
  • Having one sexual partner

Testing Procedure

Urine or swabs are the best samples for testing gonorrhea. In men, the best sample is the urine test.

Nucleic Acid Amplification is the preferred method in gonorrhea tests. The test looks for the existence of bacteria that causes gonorrhea in the body

First-catch urine of about 20mililitres gives the best result. An infected person ore person going for a gonorrhea test should not urinate at least one hour before the tests are done.

     3.Syphilis

Syphilis is common amongst men who have sex with other men.

Signs and Symptoms

Some of the signs and symptoms of syphilis infection are:

  • Difficulty in muscle movements
  • Sores on genitals
  • Development of rashes in the body
  • Paralysis
  • Dumbness
  • Gradual blindness
  • Dementia

Preventive Mechanisms

Syphilis can be treated through a course of antibodies. Some of the preventive mechanisms include:

  • Abstinence
  • Limiting the number of sexual partners
  • Avoiding sex with fellow men
  • Using a latex condom during sex
  • Consistently going for STD tests

Treatment procedure

Testing for syphilis has two phases; identification and confirmation of the presence of the infection in the body.

A sample of blood or any discharge from the syphilis sores is used for the test.  Sex fluids and other tissues are essentialin testing for the presence of bacteria in the body. Testing for syphilis is done through screening of the blood, tissues or fluids from the syphilis sores.

  4.Genital Herpes

Genital Herpes in men is caused by two viruses namely, HSV 1 and HSV 2.

Signs and symptoms

Signs and symptoms of genital Herpes include:

  • Unpleasant discharge from the genitals
  • Fever
  • Pain when a person is urinating

Preventive Mechanisms

There is no cure for Genital Herpes. It also poses little health risks to the body. Its preventive mechanisms include

  • Abstinence
  • Limiting the number of sexual partners
  • Avoiding sex under the influence of drugs.
  • Knowing your sexual partner

Treatment Procedure

Herpes tests use blood and swab from sores samples. The blood is taken through direct microscopic examination.

Also, the blood can be taken to the laboratory test for analysis through the Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay.

     5.HIV/AIDS

HIV virus only survives in the human body. It is primarily caused by sexual intercourse.

Early Signs and Symptoms

HIV infections might take time to show any signs and symptoms. Sometimes, the signs and symptoms might be seen at all.

Some of the signs and symptoms that are likely to show up include:

  • Fever
  • Loss of appetite
  • Continuous and consistent headache
  • Infection with other diseases such as malaria
  • Diarrhea

Preventive Mechanisms

HIV has no cure. The viruses in the body can, however, be suppressed through the use of anti-retroviral drugs.

Other HIV preventive mechanisms include:

  • Abstinence from sex
  • Limiting the number of sexual partners
  • Avoiding sex under the influence of drugs
  • Using condoms during sex
  • Consistently going for STD tests
  • Making a prior sexual decision
  • Going with your partner for HIV test before sex
  • Making a prior sexual decision, especially in case you want to go for parties

Treatment Procedure

Testing for HIV requires a blood sample. The patients are first taken through a professional guidance and counseling session.

The blood is put in an HIV test kit for examination. It takes about 20 minutes to get an accurate existence of HIV virus in the blood.

Anyone who shows positive results receives professional advice from the medics and put under treatment.

Consistent and correct use of the antiretroviral drugs suppresses the virus and reduces the viral load, leading to good health.

 

Contributor: admin