What other bacterial STDs are there?

Sexually transmitted diseases may be caused by various agents, whether they are bacterial, viral, fungal, or parasitic. Among the most common STDs caused by bacteria are Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea, which the World Health Organization (WHO) reports afflict millions of new victims every year. Mentioned here are other bacterial STDs, as well as additional information on them.

About 12 million to 20 million people can acquire syphilis every year. This bacterial STD is caused by Treponema pallidium, and because its symptoms are fairly similar to those of other bacteria caused STDs, the best way to diagnose Syphilis is through examinations. There are many stages of this disease, and at times, it takes up to three months before the symptoms show. Doctors usually examine for the presence of ulcers or chancres on areas such as the anus, the vulva, or the penis. These indicate the presence of syphilis in its primary stage.

In the secondary stage of the disease, flu-like symptoms may be experienced, as well as rashes and discolouration in the tongue or the mouth. If you suspect that you or someone you know has syphilis, get a doctor to diagnose it immediately. This condition is often treated through a series of penicillin injections and other forms of antibiotics. Because this disease can be transferred from a mother to her unborn child, medical providers often recommend pregnant mothers to undergo STD testing just in case.

Besides the widely common Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea, and Syphilis, non-specific urethritis is also a bacterial STD that can afflict both men and women. However, the symptoms of this disease become more easily apparent in men. Among the signs to watch out for are itching, burning, abnormal discharge from the urethra, and also pain while urinating. Urethritis may be caused by bacterial strains such as Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma genitalium, and Ureaplasma urealyticum, while in other cases, viral and parasitic causes have also been reported.

To be able to determine the presence of such a disease, a non-specific urethritis test may be administered. By taking a sample of the urethral discharge, and subjecting it to a bacterial Gram stain test, examiners can determine whether non-specific urethritis is present. If gonorrheal bacteria have been found, then gonococcal urethritis might be the diagnosis. In treating non-specific urethritis, antibiotic doses are given, and this can vary depending on the strain of bacteria that has been detected. If left untreated, this urethritis can progress to PID or pelvic inflammatory disease, or even infertility in men.