Sexually Transmitted Diseases

  The are a number of diseases that are caused by infectious organisms which enter the body through the sexual organs. These are Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) or Venereal Diseases (VD). STD's account for more infections then all other communicable disease combined except possibly the common cold and influenza.

Most of the organisms that cause STDs prefer to live in warm, moist areas of the body such as the genital organs, rectum, mouth and eyes. For this reason direct contact with these parts of an infected person's body is about the only way these organisms can be passed from one person to another. Fortunately, the organisms that cause the STDs are rarely, if ever, caught from drinking glasses, door knobs, toilet seats or through the air.

Some of the STDs cause painful, permanent damage to the genital organs, and other parts of the human body. Others are more of a nuisance then a serious problem. Avoidance of injury and undo suffering can only be accomplished by prevention, early diagnosis and treatment.

 

Gonorrhea

Also, known as "GC, "clap, "or "drip." Gonorrhea is the most common of the harmful STDs. It affects more then 2 1/2 million persons annually. Gonorrhea is a leading cause of both male and female infertility.

Men who catch gonorrhea may initially notice pain of urination and a pus-like discharge starting two to ten days after sexual contact with an infected person. About one in five males has no signs or symptoms at all.

Most women who are infected usually have no early warning signs at all. Some infected women will have a pus-like discharge (from the cervix which may only be noted as a vaginal discharge), pain on urination, or pain in the lower abdomen. If the woman is not informed that she has been infected or if the infection is not found and treated early, it can spread throughout her reproductive system, leading to severe pain and high fever and ultimately infection of the Fallopian tubes, ovaries and lining of the abdominal cavity. If this illness is not immediately recognized and treated, the process can rapidly progress and require hospitalization and surgery. Permanent sterility (inability to have children) is often the ultimate outcome. An infected pregnant woman can pass the organism to her unborn child, causing severe birth defects or death. The infant can also be infected as it passes through the birth canal. If special drops are not routinely placed in the infant's eyes at the time of birth, gonorrhea can cause blindness.

Any person who notices signs of gonorrhea or who has been exposed to an infected person, should be tested for the disease immediately. A culture must be taken from the exposed areas, usually the cervix or urethra, to look for gonorrhea. This should be done even if there are no signs or symptoms of the disease.

If gonorrhea is found early and treated properly, it can be easily and completely cured. Recently some strains of gonorrhea have become resistant to even large doses of penicillin and other antibiotics. It is important to repeat the culture, to be sure that the gonorrhea has been adequately treated for seven to ten days.

For more information on Gonorrhea, click here.


Syphilis

Sometimes called, “Siff,” “lues” or “bad blood," syphilis has probably caused more death and damage than an”y other disease affecting mankind.

Symptoms of syphilis often go unnoticed. The first sign of Primary Syphilis is a small, painless sore, called a chancre, which appears within 10 days to six weeks after sexual contact with an infected person. This sore will soon heal up and disappear on its own, even without treatment. Next the infected person may develop a rash, sore throat, patchy hair loss, or a fever within six months after exposure. These are signs of Secondary Syphilis and indicate that the syphilis organism has made its way deep into the body.

The initial symptoms and signs of syphilis generally disappear even without any form of treatment, and generally, most infected persons never notice them at all, the disease itself has not gone away. It has merely gone underground. Without proper treatment syphilis can cause injury to the heart, nervous system, brain, bones and kidney, even insanity and death. As with gonorrhea the pregnant women infected with syphilis can pass the organism to her unborn child, causing severe birth defects or death. Syphilis can be spread through needles, medical instruments, sputum and blood products.

Syphilis is generally best diagnosed by a simple blood test. If an individual suspects that they have been infected a blood test is mandatory. If the initial test is negative, a second test should be repeated in six to eight weeks.

When syphilis is treated early, it is usually 100% treatable. This is not so in the later stages.

Genital Herpes

Genital herpes is a painful condition by a virus called Herpes Simplex Virus-Type II. Approximately 10% to 15% of the time a Type 1, the oral form may also cause genital lesions. Herpes is usually spread through sexual contact, however, it can be spread by infected materials or toilet seats.

Within two to twenty days after exposure to an infected person, minor itching or a rash may occur in the exposed area. Single or multiple fluid filled blisters, called vesicles, may soon appear. Often they are accompanied by fever, headache, and a general feeling of "sickness." The vesicles can occur inside the body, the bladder, urethra and vagina and therefore may not be noticed. The Herpes virus can be transmitted to the newborn as it passes through the birth canal. It is communicable until the blisters break and a dry, crusty, scab forms. This usually occurs one to two weeks after its onset.

Once an infected person has been infected with the Herpes Simplex Virus it remains within the body in the nerve cells in the area where the initial and subsequent vesicles appeared. Recurrent attacks may occur. They are usually preceded by a prodrome of irritation, itching, tingling and occasionally generalized symptoms such as fever, headache and malaise. The Herpes virus will usually begin to shed at the initiation of these symptoms. Herpes is most infectious once the vesicles occur. However, certain individuals will become infectious at the time the prodromal symptoms appear, 24 to 48 hours before vesicles erupt. Women exposed to, or infected with genital herpes should have a Pap smear and vaginal examination every six months to protect against cervical cancer.

For more information on Herpes, click here.

Other Sexually Transmitted Diseases

The above diseases are considered dangerous, however, there are a number of conditions which while sexually transmitted are more a nuisance than a danger. These are various other bacterial and viral infections. We have created information sheets on the more common and problematic of these conditions please your doctor for information sheets on any condition you want more information about. 

Information about Aids
Chlamydia Trachomatis
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis C
Bacterial Vaginosis - (Also known as Non-Specific Vaginaosis,
       Gardenerella Vaginitis and Hemophilous Vaginitis)
Candida (Monilia) Vaginal Infections
Trichomonas Vaginitis
Molluscum Contagiosum
Venereal Warts
Nonspecific Urethritis
Scabies
Pediculosis - Lice