SEXUALLY TRASMITTED DISEASES.
Sexually transmitted diseases are caused by communicable agents which may be bacteria, virus, or parasite, that are principally transmitted during sexual intercourse resulting to clinical illness. Sometimes infection with this agent does not cause clinical disease but the agents can be transmitted from one host to the partner during sexual intercourse, this has given rise to sexually transmitted infection. Some people are healthy carriers and will not succumb. There are at least 25 sexually transmitted diseases of which all can be spread through sexual contact, including vagina, anal and oral sex.
HOW DO I KNOW I HAVE SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASE?
Anyone who is sexually active is at a risk from STDs. Some STDs can have symptoms, such as
Genital discharge, Pain when urinating, Genital swelling, and inflammation
Many STDs such as Chlamydia can frequently be symptom less. This is why it is advisable to have sexual health-checkups, to screen for STDs, it can sometimes take a long time for STD to display any symptoms, and you can pass on infection during this time, further demonstrating the need to be tested and treated. If you are in a relationship, and are diagnosed with an STD, it does not necessarily mean that your partner has been unfaithful.
Symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases can present themselves months after infection. Many STDs are very infectious and can cause long term or permanent damage, including infertility if left untreated. Many STDs can be easily passed onto sexual partners, and some STDs can be passed from a mother to her unborn child too. STDs can also aid the transmission of H.I.V.
HOW STDs ARE TRANSMITTED.
Sexually transmitted diseases are transmitted by infectious agents, microscopic bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungi, and single-celled organisms called protozoa that thrive in warm, moist environment in the body such as in the genitalia area, mouth, and throat. Most STDs are spread during sexual intercourse (vaginal or anal), but other form of sexual contact such as oral sex, can also spread the disease. Some STDs are passed from an infected mother to her child before birth, when the infection crosses the placenta and enters the baby’s blood stream; during child birth, as the baby passes through the birth canal; or after birth, when the baby consumes infected breast milk.
Some viral STDs, especially AIDS may be transmitted by blood. Such STD may be passed between people who share infected needle or received through blood transfusion. Some people mistakenly believe that STDs can be transmitted through shaking hands or other casual contact or through contact with inanimate objects such as clothing or toilet seats. Such transmission is extremely rare.
FACTORS THAT ENHANCE CHANCES OF GETTING INFECTED WITH SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES.
The potential for sexual activity is greatest adolescence to third decade: 15 years and older. The greatest risk occurs in the age group 18 -35. However, the trend is toward very early sexual debut, among teenagers below 15 years of age, as society changes and liberal attitudes become the norm in formerly traditional societies.
Marital status and occupation affect exposure to STDs. Due to industrialization and consequent urbanization; there is usually a large group of single, poorly paid, and unemployed young people who live in shanties in towns. Sexual intercourse for pleasure and for gain, assumes an important role in such circumstances. Prostitution and promiscuity flourish under this condition and so do the STDs. Promiscuous sexual behaviour is closely associated with the acquisition and spread of STDs in any group of people. There are certain factors that may reduce promiscuous behaviour in individuals. The more of these factors exists in an individual’s life, the less the risk of STDs.
Ethnicity is not a risk factor for STDs, but is closely associated with specific cultural practises that may predispose to transmission of STDs. In some groups, certain celebrations and rituals (e.g., cleansing after the death of a family member) may involve high-risk sexual practises that predispose individuals to transmission o STIs, such as infection infection with human immunodeficiency virus (H.I.V), the cause of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Alternatively, in some African tribes ‘professional hired cleansers’ may infect healthy widows and widowers. Many such funeral events are also associated with much promiscuity as celebrations are held over week or so with men and women having many opportunities for casual sex. Conversely, societies with strict moral codes regarding sex and marriage have much lower prevalence of STDs.
PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF H.I.V / SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES.
One can minimise the risks of getting STIs by having protected sex with condoms and getting tested together with sexual partner(s) the more partner’s one has the greater the risk of acquiring an STD. Other ways to reduce the risk include using dental dams and condoms during oral sex, clean sex toys after use, clean your hands after having sex, and improving genital hygiene routines.
IMPORTANCE OF EARLY DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF STDs AND AIDS.
In many resource poor countries, the approach to diagnosis and treatment of STDs has changed radically in the last few years. The emphasis is now on recognition of groups of signs and symptoms, or syndromes rather than strict etiologic diagnosis based on laboratory findings as a basis for patient management. Symptoms of STD are based on clinical presentation of the commonest STDs in the particular country, or region within a country, and patients are treated for the likely STDs that commonly cause that particular combination of signs and symptoms. The commonest cause of urethral discharge in males in Africa, for example, is gonorrhoea and Chlamydia urethritis, either individually or in combination. In the new approach the individual is treated for both infections. Other causes are considered if there is no improvement. The advantage of this approach is that even the lowest cadres in the health service can treat patients effectively with a minimum of retraining without requiring the assistance of a laboratory. The main disadvantage is a certain amount of over-treatment for the diseases that are not present, but this is a small price to pay for increased access to STD treatment services for the whole community.
4Cs IN PREVENTION OF STD AND AIDS.
Contact tracing and treatment.
Compliance with prescribed treatment,
Correct use of condoms.
Counselling on the dangers of STDs, especially the risk of acquiring H.I.V.
