Causes

Just as diverse as the symptoms and signs of venereal diseases described above are the respective pathogens. What they all have in common is that an infection with certain disease triggers must have occurred before the outbreak of the disease. Potentially, viruses, bacteria and fungi can be used.

In most cases, it is pre-existing mucous membrane injuries that can be used as an entry portal that promotes acute infection. After the pathogens have penetrated the mucosa, they either remain in a narrowly defined, localized area or spread further in ascending order. In addition to sexual transmission of various kinds (see below), transmission from mother to child at various times (before or during birth, through breast milk) or rarely smear infection or other sources of infection (for example, insufficiently chlorinated water in public swimming pools) are possible. Not for all diseases all transmission paths are possible and plausible, so that an exact indication of the type of suspected infection can already give the treating physician a decisive clue.The affected person should not hesitate to inform the doctor about sexual preferences and practices, because infections that show up in the genital area may have affected the inside of the mouth or the mucous membrane of the anal area. In this case, these parts of the body should also be carefully examined and diagnostic steps taken.

Transmission Genital/Oral/Anal

The most common manifestation site of venereal diseases and also the most common place of infection are the primary sexual organs and the corresponding mucous membranes. This means that the vulva or the entire area within and near the labia in women and the penis and testicles in men often show symptoms. Nevertheless, sexually transmitted infections are also found in other sexually useful and stimulable areas.

Especially women complain in some cases after an independent inflammation in the mouth and throat area (for example after a slight cold with hoarseness) about untypical symptoms that can be explained by a sexually transmitted disease. Due to pre-existing slight mucous membrane lesions as ideal entry points, it is easy for pathogens to settle here as well. The anal area and the rectum should not be neglected as a third possibility of infection site. Aggressive sexual practices in particular, which are often accompanied by minor injuries, represent a considerable risk factor for infections. In principle, any sexually transmitted disease that can occur in the genital area can also be observed in the anal area.