Friday, April 13, 2012

Sexually Transmitted Diseases

SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES, (also called STDs or STIs -- sexually transmitted infections) are infections that can be transferred from one person to another through sexual contact. According to the Centers for Disease Control there are over 15 million cases of sexually transmitted disease cases reported annually. Adolescents and young adults (15-24) are the age groups at the greatest risk for acquiring an STD, 3 million becoming infected each year.


STDs affect men and women of all ages and backgrounds, including children.  Many countries require that Child Protective Services be notified if children are diagnosed with an STD.

STDs have become more common in recent years, partly because people are becoming sexually active at a younger age, are having multiple partners, and do not use preventive methods to lessen their chance of acquiring an STD. 
People can pass STDs to sexual partners even if they themselves do not have any symptoms. 
Frequently, STDs can be present but cause no symptoms, especially in women (for example, chlamydia, genital herpes or gonorrhea). This can also occur in some men.


COMMON STDs

Chlamydia- is a very dangerous STD as it usually has no symptoms; 75% of infected women and 25% of infected men have no symptoms at all.

Gonorrhea is one of the most frequently reported STD. 40% of its victims contract PID if not treated, and it can cause sterility.

Herpes - Painful and episodic; can be treated but there's no cure.

HIV/AIDS - First recognized in 1984, AIDS is the sixth leading cause of death among young men and women. The virus is fatal involving a long, painful death.

Syphilis - Untreated, can lead to serious damage of the brain or heart.

Tricomoniasis - Can cause foamy vaginal discharge or no symptoms at all. Can cause premature birth in pregnant women.


HOW TO AVOID STDs 

Abstinence is the number one way to avoid contracting an STD.   Faithfulness to your spouse or sticking to one partner is the second best way to avoid the disease. 

 R. Y. MANABAT, R.N.

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