What are bacterial STDs and STIs?

A sexually transmitted infection is an infection that is passed from one person to another during sexual activity.

A sexually transmitted disease is a disease that is passed from one person to another during sexual activity. STDs can also result the development of STIs.

Bacterial STDs/STIs are caused by the spreading of bacterial from one person to another. This can happen through sexual contact including vaginal, oral, and anal sex. Bacterial infections can also be transmitted through contact with the eyes and from mother to child during pregnancy.

Common Bacterial STIs

Chlamydia

About 1.3 million new cases of Chlamydia occur each year in the United States. This infection is treatable with antibiotics. If left untreated, Chlamydia can lead to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, infertility in both men and women, infection of an unborn child, and Reiter's Disease.

Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea affects roughly 300,000 people per year and is also treatable through the use of prescription antibiotics. Long-term symptoms of the infection are similar to Chlamydia, with Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, continued pain in the infected area, and infertility being the most commonly seen.

Syphilis

Syphilis effects 13,000 people in the United States each year. It is widely known for its historical significance and devastating effects, with include:

• An ulcer or chancre, which occurs at the site of infection (primary syphilis)
• A rash in cohesion with flu-like symptoms, including fatigue, hair loss, and swelling of lymph nodes (secondary syphilis)
• Infection of the bones, blood, eyes, skin, nervous system, and heart (tertiary syphilis). Tertiary syphilis can lead to mental illness, blindness, and death
• 40% of untreated cases of syphilis progress to the tertiary stage

Who is affected?

Sexually active men and women, ages 15-29, are the most likely demographic to contract a bacterial STI.

Higher rates of infection are seen in people living in urban settings, unmarried men and women with more than one sexual partner, and sexually active young adults.

Young (15-24 year old) minority women have the highest rate of STIs in the United States.

Two-thirds of the syphilis cases reported in 2010 were transmitted through male-to-male sexual contact, showing that gay males are at high risk as well.

Statistics

About 12 million cases of STIs and STDs occur in the United States each year. Half of these cases occur in individuals between 15 and 24 years old, while a quarter of them occur in teenagers.

The United States pays $17 billion per year in health care costs for the treatment and prevention of STIs and STDs.

Prevention

The most effective avoid contracting or transmitting a bacterial STI is through practicing safe sex.

Getting tested and having your partner tested are also important, as some STIs occur without symptoms. Most bacterial STIs are curable and have few lasting symptoms when treated early. Regular testing is the best way to prevent infections from progressing to diseases.

Effectiveness of Antibiotics

Antibiotic-resistant strains of bacterial STIs, specifically gonorrhea, are beginning to emerge.

Antibiotic resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae is diminishing available treatment options for gonorrhea

This shows the importance of preventing the spread of bacterial STIs, as treatment options may be ineffective.