Syphilis Left untreated, syphilis can lead to serious health problems later in life including heart disease, seizures, visual and other sensory problems, and occasionally, death. Fortunately, antibiotics can cure syphilis when it is recognized early. A blood test called the VDRL usually confirms the diagnosis. Gonorrhea Gonorrhea is caused by a bacterium that lives on the mucous membranes of the mouth, throat, rectum, urinary tract, and cervix. Not everyone infected shows symptoms, however.
Gonorrhea is diagnosed by laboratory culture and is treated with antibiotics.
The symptoms of chlamydia are usually pain or burning upon urination and itching of the urethra. It is difficult to culture the chlamydia organism, so diagnosis is made by ruling out other possible causes. Herpes Herpes is caused by one of two viruses that enters the body through the thin skin of the genitals, anus, mouth, or lips, and takes up residence inside nerve cells. The drug acyclovir can greatly reduce the duration and frequency of herpes outbreaks. Persons with active herpes lesions can infect others, however, so they should not have sex until the skin has completely healed.