There are many kinds of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) which can be easily broken down into 3 types: Bacterial, viral and parasitic.

These three types of infections can occur when you are involved in a heterosexual relationship (opposite gender) or in a homosexual relationship (same gender). Keep in mind that some STDs can be cured, whereas some can only be treated but not cured. You may be infected with an STD with no visible symptoms. Sometimes, the symptoms go away on their own. Either way, you still have the infection until it is properly treated. Let's look in detail at some of the types of Sexually Transmitted Diseases.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

This infection is a serious and common complication of certain STDs like gonorrhea and chlamydia. PID is a general term that covers infection of the fallopian tubes (tubes that carry the eggs from the ovaries to the womb or the uterus), the womb (uterus) and other reproductive organs. If left untreated, PID can lead to serious consequences like chronic pelvic pain, infertility, abscess formation and ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy that occurs in the fallopian tube or elsewhere other than the womb).

Herpes

Herpes or genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that is caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2). But genital herpes is mostly caused by HSV-2. Herpes can play a vital role in the spread of HIV, the dreaded virus that causes AIDS. Herpes can make individuals extremely susceptible to HIV infection and it can make an HIV-infected individual highly infectious.

Genital Warts

Genital warts, also called HPV is caused by human papillomavirus (HPV)- the name for a group of viruses that includes more than 100 different types or strains. These viruses are sexually transmitted and infects the genital area of women and men that includes the vulva (area outside the vagina), skin of the penis, the anus or the linings of the rectum, cervix or the vagina. Most individuals who get infected with HPV are devoid of symptoms and clear the infection on their own.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a virus that attacks your liver after gaining entry into your body. Liver is an important organ of the body as it helps to digest your food and store energy. It also helps to get rid of poisons. Hepatitis B is known to cause liver damage- medically called Cirrhosis. It can also cause liver cancer that ultimately leads to death.

Hepatitis C

It is a kind of liver disease caused by the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) that is found in the blood of individuals infected with this disease. Individuals infected with HCV show no symptoms at all, but if they do, they are:

* Dark urine or light-coloured stools
* Diarrhoea
* Jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes)
* Abdominal discomfort and vomiting

HIV/AIDS

HIV-or the human immunodeficiency virus kills your body's CD4 cells (called the T-helper cells) that aid your body to fight off any disease and infection. HIV can passed from one person to another through sex.

AIDS- the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease contracted when HIV destroys your body's immune system. Always remember that AIDS should not be confused with HIV. You get AIDS when there is specific damage to your immune system, and it can be triggered by different infections, one of then being HIV.

Trichomonas

Trichomoniasis is a common STD that affects both men and women alike, although the symptoms are more distinct in women. It is caused by a single-celled protozoan parasite, Trichomonas vaginalis. The most common site for infection in women is the vagina, whereas the most common site for infection in men is the urethra (urine canal). This parasite is sexually transmitted through penis-to-vagina intercourse or vulva-to-vulva contact with an infected partner.