Sexual Infections : Causes, Treatment and Prevention

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Sexually transmitted diseases or infections (STDs or STIs) or venereal disease (VD) as it is used to be called has to do with certain infections which are almost always passed on by sexual contact.

Research has shown that no fewer than 30 different bacteria, viruses, and parasites can be transmitted through sexual activity. This happens because the micro-oganisms that cause them usually live in the infected person's genitals or in some other place (such as mouth or anus) where they have been put by sexual activity and to infect another person, they usually have to enter his body through an orifice (such as the genital opening, anus, or mouth), and sexual activity gives them this chance. The first symptoms of disorder appear on the part of the body that has been in contact with the infected part of the person.

Though some of this infections are caused by bacteria, some by viruses, some by other micro-organisms. Some are rare in our society, others epidemic. And some can be only painful or troublesome, some others if not treated, could be crippling or even fatal.

Gonorrhea and syphilis are STIs caused by Bacteria. While Genital herpes, HIV/AIDS, and genital warts are categorized as Viral STIs. As well as Trichomoniasis, which is categorized under parasitic STIs.

It is not all STDs or STIs that is usually spread by sex, some can be spread non-sexually by contact. For instance, breastfeeding or during childbirth, blood contact, donor, and the use of unsterilized instruments or objects.

Some of us have this infections but are are not aware whilst some are aware but careless about it and its effect aftermath. On the course of this study, I will be dealing on the basic STDs or STIs that are prevalent in our societies.

So let's begin.....

Syphilis

We must have heard of the word "Syphilis" which is sometimes called "the pox" or "scrab". Syphilis is the most serious infections. Its prevalence varies.

What is the cause of Syphilis ?

Styphilis is caused by tiny bacteria shaped like corkscrews "spirochetes". These thrive in the warm, most linings of the genital passages, rectum, and the mouth, but die immediately outside the human body. So the infection almost always spreads by sexual contact.
Whether the probing organ is penis, tongue, or perhaps finger, and whether the receiving organ is mouth, genitals, or rectum, a syphilitic site on either one can infect the other. Very occasionally syphilis does occur from close non-sexual contract (and cases have occurred in doctors and dentists from their professional work) ; but it cannot be spread by physical objects such as lavatory seats, towels, or cups. It can however be inherited from an infected mother, resulting sometimes in stillbirth (dead infant) or deformity, and in other cases in hidden infection that causes trouble later. Syphilis has four stages, each has typical symptoms, but these can vary or be absent.

In the first stage, which is also known as the primary stage. The first symptom is in the part that has been in contact with the infected person like the genitals rectum, or mouth. A spot appears and grows into a sore that oozes a colorless fluid (but no blood). The sore feels like a button, round or oval, firm and just under 1/2 in across. A week or so later, the glands in the groin may swell but they do not usually become tender, so it may not be noticed. There is no feeling of illness and the sore heals in a few weeks without treatment.

The second stage occurs when the bacteria have spread through the body. It can follow the primary stage straight away, but usually there is a gap of several weeks. The person feels generally unwell. There may be headaches, loss of appetite, general aches and pains, sickness, and perhaps fever. Also there are breaks in the skin, and sometimes a dark red rash legs and front of the arms, and often too on the body, face, hands, and feet. Other symptoms can be hair falling out in patches; sores in the mouth, nose, throat, or genitals or even in soft folds of skin; and swollen glands throughout the body.
Though the symptoms disappear without treatment, after about 3weeks to 9months.

After the secondary stage, the next stage is the latent stage. In this stage, the infection may last for anything from a few months to 50 years. There are no symptoms. After about two years, the person ceases to be infectious (though a woman can still sometimes give the disease to a baby she bears). But presence of syphilis can still be shown by blood tests.

The final stage is known as the tertiary stage. This occurs in about 1/3 of those who have not been treated earlier. The disease now shows itself in concentrated and often permanent damage in one part of the body. Common are ulcers in the skin, and lesions on ligaments, joints, or on bones. These are painful, but tertiary syphilis is more serious if it attacks heart, blood vessels, or nervous system. It can then kill, blind, paralyze, cripple or render insane.

How can syphilis be tested?

Syphilis is not easily diagnose. Its symptoms are often mild or indistinctive. Testing sores for bacteria or blood for antibiotics is necessary. Neither always work, so repeat test are important.

How can Syphilis be Treated?

If you have been diagnosed positive on syphilis, how can you treat it? The best way to treat syphilis is by the application of antibiotics, usually penicillin. Given in primary or secondary stages, it completely cures most cases. Tests and examination often last more than two years afterwards, to make sure the cure is complete. In the latent and even tertiary stages, syphilis can still be eradicated and further damage halted. But existing tertiary stage damage often cannot be repaired.

Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea which can also be called "the clap" , has spread very rapidly among young people in recent years, partly because it is so easy for a woman to have it without knowing it. There are over half a million reported cases in Africa every year, and the true figure is probably many times that number. Several infections in one person in a single year are not too uncommon. Worldwide, there are about 150 million cases.

What is the cause of Gonorrhea?

Gonorrhea is simply caused by a bacterium that thrives in the warm moist lining of urethra, vagina, rectum, or mouth . Is normally passed on by sexual contact, but may be sometimes by close body contact or by inheritance from an infected mother. It cannot be picked up from objects ( although someone suggested that gonorrhea can be carried by public lice and these can be picked up from objects such as lavatory seats). Unlike syphilis , the form of sexual contact involved is normally only genital or anal intercourse. Oral contact does not often pass on gonorrhea; if it does, it is usually fellatio, rather than cunnilingus, that is responsible. ( Though there is still possibility of getting infection through kissing).

What are the symptoms of Gonorrhea?

After incubation (usually under a week or sometimes up to a month), gonorrhea in a man will cause discomfort inside the penis, a thick discharge usually yellow -green from the tip of the punishment and pain or a burning sensation on urinating. Later it spreads to near points, such as glands leading off the urethra ( eg the prostate, seminal vesicles, and testes) and the bladder. A resulting abscess may obstruct the urethra, causing difficulty in urinating.

In women, the incubation period is longer, there may be discomfort on urinating, more frequent urination and a vaginal discharge. The discharge is distinctively yellow and unpleasant in smell. But this may be unnoticed due to the typically small quantities involved. 70- 90% of cases occur without the woman being aware of the disease; but she is infectious even where there are no symptoms. If she does not treat it, it may extend to glands around her vaginal entrance, making them swell, sometimes as large as a golf ball, the rectum (because of the closeness of the two openings), causing inflammation and perhaps a discharge or the cervix, uterus and Fallopian tubes.

How can Gonorrhea be treated?

Gonorrhea is diagnosed by the laboratory analysis of any discharge or of a smear from the affected part. Treatment is with antibiotics usually penicillin, though any forms of gonorrhea are becoming more resistant to it. Apart from avoiding infecting others through intercourse, the person being treated should also avoid masturbation and alcohol, since both can irritate the urethra and interfere with cure.

HIV/AIDS

The viral disease HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), is a dangerous one that collapse the entire human body immune system.
The virus kills off the white blood cells that protects the body from various infections. The virus is usually carried in body fluids. It can be contacted through unprotected sex, breastfeeding, contact with infected blood, sharing of unsterilized instruments, and even from mother to child during pregnancy. A patient is said to have AIDS ( Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) when HIV in his or her body becomes advanced. It has three stages, firstly, the primary infection, asymptomatic infection then AIDS.

During the primary infection stage, the individual will experience systoms like headache, fever, muscle aches, fatigue for about two weeks. The asymptomatic (no symptom of disease) stage, the symptoms will not be available for some years, when this happens, the immune system will gradually become week and as well have a low cell count of white blood cells. When the gets worse and becomes threat to life,, the person is said to have AIDS.

Hepatitis A Virus (HAV), Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)

Hepatitis A is a viral disease that can be contacted through sexual activity, either oral or anal contact. When contacted the individual will experience a short-term liver infection that can be quite serious. It may cause nausea, pains, and vomiting. The virus can die on its own without treatment. But it depends on the individual and the severity of the vomiting and nausea. Vaccination is use to prevent HAV.

The viral disease Hepatitis B virus, can be contacted through sexual contact, contact with infected blood, tattooing and piercing, even by sharing unsterilized instruments. When contacted and untreated, it leads to serious liver infection, cancer ,liver failure, and even death.
An antiviral medication is used for the the treatment of HBV and vaccination prevents it.

The possibility of be contacting the viral disease Hepatitis C virus (HCV) through sexual contact or during pregnancy and child delivery is low. Whereas the possibility of having HCV through needles or exposure to infected blood is high. Though it can be treated. A lot of people who are infected with HCV may not be aware, because it has no symptoms. It is a silent chronic infection ,that can lead to liver failure, cancer, and even death.

Prevention

Are you worrying too much about getting a sexual infection? If you do, it is not a healthy attitude. You may have quite sensibly avoid sex with people whose sexual experience seems likely to have been casual and widely indiscriminate.

When having intercourse other than in a stable relationship, two possible practical measures are : to wear condom and to wash the genitals thoroughly before and after intercourse. Always note that wearing a condom guards effectively against gonorrhea but not against syphilis, for full protection the condom needs to be worn even during sex play beforehand. Washing the genitals only reduce the risk slightly and both these procedures interfere with the naturalness and pleasure of sex.

It is advisable to wear guard against contacting infections, and also not hesitate to get cured properly if the infection is diagnose. Its advisable to follow qualified medical instructions and returning for the prescribed tests and checks even if they seem unnecessary. Avoid sexual contact with anyone until you are cured and also tell you patner about your situation and ensure they get tested and treated as well.

Conclusion

In conclusion, most diseases or infections are not symptomatic, you may not even experience symptoms after having infection and symptoms may not appear immediately after infection. This is a big risk, which can lead to spreading the disease or infection to others.
Note that some untreated STDs or STIs can lead to infertility, unbearable pains and/or even death.

Therefore it is advisable to go for check up regularly, get diagnosed, if any is detected, get treated by a medical professional and stay healthy.
Our Parents, schools, organizations and the society should endeavor to teach the young ones on the essence of safe sex, and tell them the preventive measures of becoming infected with an STD or STI.

In my subsequent article, I will discuss some other STDs or STIs not mentioned here.

Thank you for reading!

Reference

[1] What are some types of and treatments for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or sexually transmitted infections (STIs)?
[2 ] Understanding Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
[3] Viral Infections: Types, Treatment, and Prevention
[4] What you need to know about STDs
[5] Sexually transmitted infection
[6] Sexually Transmitted Infection, facts, causes, symptoms and prevention

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