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Over a lifetime, the body can host many different kinds of germs including those that cause sexually transmitted diseases. There are three types of STDs—bacterial, viral, and bugs.

Bacterial STDs are transient which means they will respond to medication and can be kicked out of your system. However, if they remain untreated they can cause very serious damage.

Bacterial STDs include gonorrhea, a bacteria which can cause infertility, heart disease, blindness, damage to the urinary tract, arthritis, and damage to an unborn child; chlamydia, which has been implicated as a risk factor for cervical cancer and is a major cause of infertility; syphilis, which can affect the nervous system, cause blindness, deafness, heart disease, insanity, and result in the birth of a stillborn or crippled child; and chancroid, which causes genital sores and enlarged lymph nodes.

Viral STDs are permanent. Once you acquire one, it stays in your system forever. You will not be troubled by a viral STD as long as it remains dormant, but they do act up now and then. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) generally hides in the genital tract, and causes genital warts from time to time over the years. Some strains can lead to cervical cancer. Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) lives in nerves at the base of the spine and causes painful blisters to form, mostly on the vulva and in the mouth. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) can also remain in the system but once it manifests itself, it becomes a deadly disease with no cure and limited treatment options. HIV is discussed in detail in "The Persistent Threat of AIDS."

Sexually transmitted skin infestations are caused by tiny bugs called arthropods. Using pesticides will easily rid you of them. The two most common are pubic lice, a.k.a. "crabs" and scabies. Pubic lice attach themselves to the base of pubic hairs where they bite the skin and lay their eggs. Scabies burrow into the skin to lay eggs. They are much tinier than pubic lice and cannot be seen with the naked eye.

Best Ways to Prevent Infection

The only way to avoid these germs, is to abstain completely from vaginal, oral, or anal intercourse. Since this is not a desirable option for most women, you can reduce the chance of getting an STD by:

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Having sex with only one uninfected partner who only has sex with you
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Limiting the number of your sexual partners if you do have more than one
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Using latex condoms during any kind of intercourse
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Using spermicides like nonoxynol-9 which can kill some of the germs
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Having regular checkups to make sure you aren't infected with an STD that may be asymptomatic


Sumber : Yahoo Health