Blue waffle disease

So, now that we know that our risk of contracting Blue Waffle disease is effectively 0%, there is no better time to talk about the real sexually transmitted infections that you may come into contact with. With over 68 million Americans having a sexually transmitted infection on any given day, here are some of the most common STIs that are worth knowing about:

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis and is the most common curable STD in the world. Passed on to a partner through sexual activity, the bacteria can grow and spread from the cervix and uterus in women and from the urethra in men.

 One of the primary reasons chlamydia infections are so common is that many people (particularly women) experience no symptoms due to an infection. For those symptomatic, it is common for the person to present with veginal or penile discharge and a burn sensation in the affected area. If left untreated, chlamydia can cause various health complications, ranging from infertility to long-term pelvic pain and scarring. 

Chlamydia can be cured by taking antibiotics as prescribed by your primary care provider.

Gonorrhea

Also known as “the clap”, gonorrhea is a bacterial infection caused by Neisseria gonococcus. Capable of infecting a wide variety of skin tissues, it is common for people to develop gonorrhea symptoms in their genital, rectum, and throat if they are directly exposed. Once infected, it is common for people to experience various symptoms, including pain while urinating and developing white, yellow, or green discharge from the impacted area. In some cases, a person may also experience rectal bleeding and painful bowel movements.

Also treated with antibiotics, recently, newer strains of antibiotic-resistant gonorrhea have been making treatment of this common STD more and more difficult. Further research is needed to find additional treatment options as more and more people develop infections that are non-responsive to current therapies.

Bacterial vaginosis (BV)

According to the CDC, bacterial vaginosis is the most common STD in women aged 15-44 years old. Caused by a bacterial imbalance within the vagina, common symptoms include burning and itching, gray discharge, and a strong and foul odor.

Interestingly, because bacterial vaginosis is not caused by one specific type of pathogen, there is debate about whether it can be characterized as a true STD.

Thankfully, bacterial vaginosis can be treated and managed with antibiotics prescribed by your primary care provider, though the infection can return even after treatment. To know about fibroblast see this article.

Genital herpes

Genital herpes (caused by the herpes simplex || virus) is a common STD that can be spread through sexual activity or direct skin-on-skin contact. After exposure, it can take anywhere from two to 12 days for symptoms to arise, though roughly 90% of those with genital herpes experience very mild or no symptoms after an infection.

For those who do develop symptoms, they can be quite painful and debilitating. Genital herpes symptoms include long-lasting painful groin lesions, fever, swollen lymph nodes, and headaches.

Unfortunately, we currently do not have a cure for genital herpes. Once a person is infected, they will cycle through periods of dormancy(no symptoms) and flare-ups(symptoms). During an outbreak, the symptoms can be managed with antiviral medications.

Genital herpes is still contagious even when a person does not have symptoms of the disease.

Human papillomavirus (HPV)

As the most common STI in the United States, there are over 200 types of human papillomavirus. Of these different virus types, only 40 types are capable of infecting human mucous membranes in the genitals, rectum, and mouth.

Sometimes referred to as “the cervical cancer virus,” HPV symptoms and complications depend on the type of virus that infects your skin. In most cases, an HPV infection will result in no symptoms at all – but in the worst case, it can cause genital warts, cervical cancer, or penile cancer.

There is currently no cure for an HPV infection, but its symptoms can be managed. Whenever possible, it is advised that 11- to 12-year-old children receives HPV vaccination to reduce their risk of developing an HPV infection later in life. 

I am a medical student. I researched Blue Waffle diseases.