More common STD cases are growing. Are you a victim?

A visual metaphor yes, but one to ring true.

By:  Alex Templar - MSTv Correspondent

Louisiana, in particular, New Orleans and Baton Rouge, leads the way nationwide with the most, and growing numbers of HIV and AIDS cases. The problem at this time, is of a grievous concern as the levels grow to epidemic levels.

But, though these extreme STD's garner cause for concern, the "more common" varieties like Gonorrhea, Chlamydia and Syphilis are on the rise as well. 

However these specific STDs, like most, can be mostly avoided depending on your lifestyle and by exercising an extra bit of caution.

In response, the government is looking to launch campaigns to educate the public on new ways to treat the more common sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

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STDs can be caught when people have unprotected oral, anal and vaginal sex.

As with any disease, knowledge is the best defense to help avoid a potential future problem.  So, before you become a victim, learn the warning signs and symptoms for some of the most common STDs below.

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Gonorrhea

Symptoms include:
Women - vaginal discharge which may be green or yellow in color. Pain when urinating.

Pain in the lower abdomen and bleeding between periods, or heavier periods.

Men - discharge from the penis that may be white, yellow or green. Pain or burning when urinating. Swelling of the foreskin.

Symptoms usually appear within a week of being infected but sometimes may not show up until months later. The infection can also affect the eyes, rectum or throat if semen or vaginal fluid comes into contact with these areas.

Effects:
If treated early gonorrhoea is unlikely to give any long-term problems.

But if left without treatment it can be serious. Women can get pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) which can also lead to infertility.

Men can get infections in the testicles and prostate and that can also affect fertility.

Treatment:
A course of antibiotics through an injection or pill. Quick treatment is vital.

Genital warts

Symptoms:
Caused by the HPV virus, these small fleshy growths, bumps or skin changes appear around the genital or anal area.

They're the second most common infection after Chlamydia. Warts can appear on their own or in clusters, giving a cauliflower appearance.

They are usually painless but may be uncomfortable if around the anus.

Symptoms occur normally two or three months after infection, sometimes up to a year, and a person can be infected just by skin-to-skin contact as well as penetrative sex.

Effects:
They don't pose a serious threat to health but can cause psychological distress.

Treatment:
Creams or lotions, or sometimes a laser on harder warts.

Chlamydia 

Symptoms:
Women - about 70-80% don't show any symptoms.
The most common ones though can include pain when urinating, change in vaginal discharge, pain or bleeding during or after sex, heavier periods, lower abdominal pain.

Men - half of men don't get any symptoms but those who do may get pain when urinating, discharge from the penis and testicle pain.

Chlamydia can also affect the rectum, eyes or throat.

Effects:
Women - if untreated it can cause PID (inflammation of the womb with increases the risk of infertility and miscarriage).

It can also cause inflammation of the cervix (cervices).

Men - urethritis, which is inflammation of the urine tube that runs along the penis. If untreated, Chlamydia may also cause infertility in men.

Treatment:
Antibiotics - 95% of people can be cured if they take them correctly.

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When the damage is done

As with these and all other medical issues, if you think youself at risk, please seek medical assistance.

However, problems like the above and others, can be effectively avoided by exercising just a little precaution.

Simply by working to insure our own "personal safety" during sexual activities, we can put an end to an epidemic and perhaps protect countless others from a lifetime of suffering.

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Genital herpes

Symptoms:
Caused by the herpes simplex virus (which also causes cold sores on the mouth), infected people may get painful red blisters in the genital area, thighs and buttocks.

Pain when urinating, vaginal discharge, fever and aches and pains are also common.

Symptoms might not appear for months or even years after being infected. After the first outbreak goes away it can come back time to time - but is usually less severe.

Effects:
The blisters can sometime become infected and cause a skin infection in other areas.

It can also cause some pregnancy problems, depending on when a woman has the virus. The virus may also be passed to the baby.

Treatment:
Antiviral tablets are often prescribed for first-time sufferers.