STDs: incubation period, list of diseases, diagnosis, symptoms and treatment

STDs are diseases that are transmitted through sexual intercourse. They have an infectious origin, therefore, a latent or incubation period is implied.

In this article, we consider the STD, the incubation period, the diagnosis and treatment of these diseases.

Basic concepts

Latent or latent phase is a time interval that begins with the moment of infection (or the entry of the pathogen into the body) and ends with the first clinical signs.

To infections that are transmitted during sexual intercourse, include:

• Trichomoniasis.
• Gonorrhea.
• Mycoplasmosis.
• Chlamydia.
• Ureaplasmosis.
• Syphilis.
• Genital herpes.

This list is not usually limited. There are many such diseases.

Why does an incubation period occur in STDs? The reason for its occurrence is the need to adapt the pathogen in a new human organism. This period is characterized by:

• Adaptation to an aggressive environment within a person (acid-basic, biochemical features of a person).
• The formation of an allergic reaction of a person to the actions of an aggressive agent.
• Propagation of pathogens in the body.
• A change in the excitability (most often the reflex) of the nervous system.
• Violation of human immunological resistance.

With different types of diseases, the latent period is not the same in duration. In addition, this directly affects the human immunity, as well as the number of infectious agents that penetrated the body. For example, signs of gonorrhea will manifest as much as a year later, symptoms of hepatitis C or HIV infection - as much as six months.

It is necessary to have gender differences in the incubation phases. For example, the effect of a woman's hormonal background can increase or decrease the duration of a given period.

It is important to note that donating blood for analysis to determine the presence of infection in the latent phase is most often meaningless. He still does not show. But qualified counseling of the venereologist can help.

No changes in the body occur during this phase. Also, the patient is not dangerous to other people, because he still has a small number of infectious agents. But if there is anamnestic data indicating the presence of infection, then it can be diagnosed even in the incubation period.

This is the case with an unprotected sexual intercourse or an identified pathology in the partner. With the help of highly sensitive methods of diagnosis, the disease is determined (PCR method of STD detection).

The incubation period of STDs

There may be a big difference in the incubation period for various diseases. This is influenced by the type of pathogenic microorganisms.

The incubation period has time limitations. It depends on what disease is present in a person:

• With urogenital herpes, the latent period is from 1 to 21 days. On the average - 10 days.
• With gonorrhea - from 6 days in women (and 2 days in men) to 3 weeks. The average is also 10 days.
• With mycoplasmosis, it is 3-5 weeks.
• With syphilis - from 8 to 200 days, and an average of 21-28 days.
• With trichomoniasis - from 7 to 28 days. Rarely - from a day to a month. On average, the causative agent of trichomoniasis will manifest itself after 10 days.
• When ureaplasmosis is 3-30 days, the average is 21 days.
• When chlamydia - from 1 week to 3 months, and on average - 12 days.
• With venereal lymphogranulomatosis - from 3 days to 12 weeks, on average about 20 days.

Consultation of the venereologist is required for the timely detection of the disease and its treatment.

The impact of additional factors

The latent period of the disease can be influenced by other factors. Its duration may depend on:

• Age. In older people, the incubation period is reduced due to a decrease in resistance to infectious agents.
• Paul. The hormonal background of a woman strongly affects the duration of the latent phase. It can decrease or, conversely, increase.
• The amount of pathogen that penetrated the body. Negative effects on the body will begin more quickly if the infectious agent is many.
• Presence of other acute and chronic diseases. This significantly reduces the immune defense of the body, so the latent period is shortened. Completely destroys the immunity of HIV infection.
• Reception of medicines. The intake of antibiotics, for example, can be detrimental to pathogenic microorganisms, so the latent period for sexual infections lengthens noticeably.

Symptoms of some STDs

After the incubation period, the first symptoms of diseases appear. Let's consider some of them. For example, by what signs is gonorrhea determined. Symptoms, treatment, following the diagnosis, of course, are interrelated.

Men are characterized by the appearance:

• Yellowish white discharge from the urethra;
• Pain when urinating.

Women are characterized by the appearance:

• Yellowish white discharge from the vagina;
• Pain during urination;
• Pains in the lower abdomen;
• Intermenstrual bleeding.

If these symptoms occur, you should immediately visit a doctor.

How is venereal lymphogranulomatosis manifested? On the genitals appear small vesicles, which after a while turn into sores. They gradually heal. But after a certain period, lymph nodes become inflamed.

Trichomoniasis (trichomoniasis) is a sexual infection leading to inflammation of the urogenital system. The causative agent of trichomoniasis is vaginal (vaginal) trichomonas, which is transmitted during sexual intercourse.

For men:

• Sometimes scanty whitish discharge from the urethra;
• Pain and burning when urinating;
• An admixture of blood in the urine;

Among women:

• Vaginal discharge, abundant, foamy, yellow;
• Symptoms of colpitis: itching, burning, reddening of the genitals and perineum;
• Pain during sex;
• Unpleasant sensations in the abdomen.

Depending on the state of the body, this disease occurs. In the most severe cases, the causative agent of trichomoniasis affects the internal organs - the uterus and the ovaries, the adhesive process and cysts appear.

Features of the causative agent of trichomoniasis

Trichomonads are unicellular anaerobic microorganisms, parasites that are widespread in nature. Trichomonads of three kinds can be found in the human body:

• Vaginal (the largest, active, pathogenic);
• Oral;
• Intestinal.

Flagellates provide activity and mobility of microorganisms. Trichomonads are asexual and omnivorous, multiply rapidly.

After fixation in the genito-urinary tract cause inflammation in it. The human body is poisoned by the products of their vital activity, the immunity is significantly reduced.

Trichomonads have a high ability to survive: they change their form, masquerade as blood plasma cells, "cling" to themselves other microbes - all this allows them to evade the immune defense of the body.

Other pathogenic microorganisms (chlamydia, ureaplasma) penetrate into the trichomonads, where they hide from the effects of drugs and immunity. Epithelium is damaged, its protective functions are reduced because of trichomonads. Getting rid of trichomoniasis is much more difficult than other genito-urinary infections.

Diagnosis of STDs

How are infections detected? STDs are diagnosed by a microscopic method and using a biochemical blood test. In the first case, a smear is examined under a microscope. So chlamydias, ureaplasmas, Trichomonases are found out. This method is more informative, since antibodies are not detected in the blood during the latent period. But when taking a smear, not all types of pathogens are identified. To do this, more detailed studies are used.

Methods of treatment

Treat STDs more often with the help of strong antibiotics. The course of therapy is approximately 14 days, but can be extended. In addition to tablets, vaginal suppositories are prescribed. It is important to understand that treatment is necessary for both partners.

During this period all sexual contacts should be excluded, as well as inadmissible drinking of alcoholic beverages. The doctor should choose the right medicine, otherwise the treatment process may be ineffective. A certain diet is selected, which will help the body to fight the causative agent of the infection. To strengthen immunity, immunomodulators are often prescribed, as well as the intake of vitamin complexes.

Prevention

As preventive measures, it is recommended to lead a normal sexual life with a regular partner. It is also necessary to apply barrier protection methods, namely, when using sexual intercourse, a condom should be used.

Regular visits to the doctor and the delivery of tests together with the partner guarantee the timely detection of the disease. Observe the need for personal hygiene, as well as strengthen the defenses of the body. All chronic diseases must be treated. This will be the prevention of STDs. The incubation period, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment are described in this article.