When it comes to your health, knowing the
facts is crucial. One thing that seems complicated is what distinguishes
bacterial STD’s from viral STD’s.
Bacterial and viral STD’s (like Blue Waffles disease) are caused by
different pathogens. Bacterial sexually
transmitted diseases are caused by bacteria that enter the body either
through skin contact or body fluids. This is where the lines can get blurred –
viral STD’s also enter the body via skin contact or body fluids. The variation here
is that a virus
is introduced to your body instead of bacteria. A virus, which is a small
infectious agent, can only regenerate within living cells of an organism.
Bacteria are living cells that cause infections.
The large difference you should note is
the treatment options for bacterial and viral STD’s. Bacterial STDs’ such as
gonorrhea, syphilis (which you can see as it looks under a microscope above),
and chlamydia are often cured with the use of antibiotics. Although it does not
prevent the diseases from ever coming back, it can remove the infection after
treatment. If left untreated, bacterial STD’s can lead to long-term health
concerns like sterility or even death.
With viral STD’s, there are no cures, only
diminished symptoms. The ‘4’ HS of viral STD’s to remember are HIV, HPV,
Herpes, and Hepatitis B. Hepatitis B and HPV are the only viral STD’s that can
be prevented with a vaccine, but it is only effective if treated before the
disease has entered the body.
The main difference between these two
categories of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), now more commonly referred
to as sexually transmitted infections, or STI’s, is what causes them — bacterial STI’s
are caused by bacteria and viral STI’s are caused by viruses. As a result of
being caused by different micro organisms, bacterial and viral STI’s vary in
their treatment. Bacterial STI’s, such as gonorrhea, syphilis, and chlamydia,
are often cured with antibiotics. Viral STI’s viz. HIV, HPV, Herpes, and Hepatitis
— the ‘4’ HS — have no cure. However many of their symptoms can be alleviated
with treatment. Luckily, there are vaccines that are available to help prevent
both HPV and Hepatitis; talking with
your health care provider about whether you should be vaccinated for either of
these infections is a good idea.
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