Protect yourself againt Common STDS

Until recently sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) were commonly known as venereal diseases (from Venus, the goddess of love from the Greek and Roman mythology)

What are STDs?

This refers to a variety of bacterial, viral and parasitic infections that are acquired through sexual activity although some such as hepatitis`, Mononucleosis, pityriasis or scabies can be transmitted in other ways that do not involve sexual activity. Medical statistics indicates that despite mass education on measures of controlling the spread of STDs the number of individuals being diagnosed by STD is increasing annually.

The most Common STDS

Medical sources indicate that the following are some of the common STDS today: Chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV, and syphilis.

Chlamydia

This is the one of the most common STDS today. It is caused by bacteria known as Chlamydia trachomatis, Chlamydia affects both men and women. These bacteria usually are usually found in the genitals, urinary tract, and rectum.

Signs of infections in women

Painful urination.
Vaginal discharge.
Lower abdominal pain.

Signs of infections in men

A burning during urination
A discharge from the tip of the penis

If left untreated, this common STD is likely to cause irreversible, permanent damage to a woman’s reproductive tract which in most cases leads to infertility. In men, it causes the inflammation of the epidydymis. Antibiotics are prescribed when infection is diagnosed.

Gonorrhea

This is one of the most common STD is one of the oldest. Historical sources from the Egyptian empire show that this common STD was prevalent then. This common STD is very contagious caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae. This bacterium affects the following regions

The urinary tract
Reproductive organs
Rectum
Throat (when oral sex is practiced)

Signs of infection in men

A thick, pus-like discharge from the penis
Burning sensation during urination
Symptoms of sore throat
Signs of infection in women
Cloudy vaginal discharge
Lower abdominal discomfort
Burning while urinating

This common STD appears as mild first but if left untreated, it becomes chronic and will causes irreparable damages to the infected individuals such as sterility. Antibiotics are prescribed when infection is detected.

HIV/AIDS

Since its discovery in 1981 this common STD has spread like a bush fire in its path leaving untold suffering on its victim. It can be argued that today majority of the world population are either affected or infected by this scourge. This common STD is spread when body fluids of an infected person comes in contact with a healthy person. The tragedy with this common STD is that an individual can carry it for many years while infecting other people unknowingly. There is no known cure for this STD, but ARV’s can be used to reduce its effects on the immune system.

Common symptoms

Night sweats
Loss of more than 10% of the body weight without any identifiable reason
Prolonged cough
Digestive disorders
General body weakness

Syphilis

This common STD is transmitted through sexual contact with an infected person and in exceptional cases it is transmitted through a wound or blood transfusion. Syphilis is caused by Treponema pallidum a bacterium.

Symptoms
Symptoms for this common STD can be looked at from three stages.

Stage one: Painless sores on the genitals. These sores can last from 10 days to a period of three months.

Stage two: rashes on the palms of hand and soles of feet, fever, and sore throat, joint aches, Headaches, patch hair loss, wart-like lesions in the genital area.

Stage three: at this stage if syphilis is untreated, it can result in:

Paralysis
Blindness
Numbness
Dementia
death

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