The suggested reason for this continued rise is that sexually active people today are more likely to have multiple sex partners during their lives, and are potentially at risk for developing STDs. Many STDs initially cause no symptoms, and when symptoms do occur, they may be confused with those of other diseases not transmitted through sexual contact. This is particularly true in women. Even when an STD causes no symptoms, it is still contagious to a sex partner. For this reason, physicians suggest periodic testing for people who have more than one sex partner.
Problems associated with or caused by STDs are usually more severe and more frequent in women.
When diagnosed and treated early, almost all STDs can be treated effectively, although some organisms, such as certain forms of gonococci, have become resistant to the drugs used to treat them and now require newer types of antibiotics. Experts believe that having STDs other than AIDS increases one's risk for becoming infected with the AIDS virus. The major symptoms of herpes infection are painful blisters or open sores in the genital area, which may be preceded by a tingling or burning sensation in the legs, buttocks, or genital region. The herpes sores usually disappear within a few weeks, but the virus remains in the body and the lesions may recur from time to time. Severe or frequently recurrent genital herpes can now be treated with an antiviral prescription drug that helps control the symptoms.