Sexually Transmitted Infections and Its Prevention

Abstract

The research paper seeks to discuss sexually transmitted diseases. The article brings a broader explanation of what sexually transmitted diseases are, how they spread and the possible treatments. The study also presents the Specific examples of STDs with symptoms and the specific cure. Among other discussions of the paper is the challenges that undermine the treatment of the STIs. Just like any other diseases, the article gives in details the health defects that may arise from the infection by the sexually transmitted diseases. The paper provides the demography with and approximated data of the spread and infection of the STIs. The study settles at the most recommended of the prevention and curative measures that should be employed to control the STDs.

Introduction

Human health is paramount in all aspects. However, significant challenges to the human health are diseases and injuries. These compromise the immunity of the body and interfere with the normal functioning of various body systems. Severe conditions of ill health lead to death. Among the major threats to human health are the sexually transmitted infections. STIs are among the most contagious and killer diseases in the world, with their spread escalating across the decades. Among these sexually transmitted diseases have been declared as world pandemics, with the familiar and most threatening been the HIV/AIDS (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2015,pp.66).

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), also referred to as Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) refers to a list of ailments that are passed from one person to another either through the vagina, mouth or anal during sexual intercourse (Calvet 2009, pp.467 – 478). According to Workowski & Berman (2010, pp.55-78), STIs are ubiquitous among people. The most infected group is the middles age between 20 to 40 years. Statistics by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(2015, pp. 526-528) show that the infection of STDs is more among the age of 18 to 35 years, with few cases of below 18 years and above 45 years. The reason for this deviation is because middle-aged men and women are sexually active, with 98% of them having sexual partners either through marriage or engagement. In most of these infections, the STDs have silent symptoms which even the infected person cannot diagnose without a medical specialist checkup.

The list of sexually transmitted diseases is large. Calvet (2009, pp.467) discusses the STD beginning with a list of the most common STD. In the list, HIV/AIDS, Syphilis, Gonorrhea, chlamydia, genital herpes and Human Papillomavirus infection (HPV) stands out as the most common types of STDs. They are the most reported among the various nations. Among other examples of STDs are hepatitis B, Molluscum contagiosum, scabies, Trichomoniasis and pubic lice. Each of these STDs has different symptoms, with varied health effects and treatment. The good news is that all these STDs can are diagnosed within the medical centers, and their procedures are available. There are also control and prevention measures that the health department advised the people to engage.

HIV/AIDS stands out as the giant in the STDs jungle. HIV is an abbreviation of Human Immunodeficiency Virus. HIV is a deadly virus passed through vaginal fluids. However, there are other ways of transmission such as blood exchange either through transfusion or open cuts and breastfeeding. Among the most infections reported are as a result of sexual intercourse.When the HIV gets into the body, it breaks down the immune cells, weakening the immune system of the body. When the virus undermines the body resistant, one can quickly get diseases. Lack of the robust immune system makes the body prone to infections, which turn challenging to cure even under medication (Cohen 2004).

Among the symptoms of HIV / AIDS are night sweats and continuous fever, oral thrush, and skin rashes. Among other symptoms are swollen glands, excessive and constant weight loss, herpes infection and dense and dry cough. At the late stages, the ‘waste syndrome' is a common symptom of the disease, where the body grows thin to resemble a severe malnutrition. HIV has no cure. The available Medication is an immune booster to make the victim stay healthier longer. The drug also prevents the spread of the virus to other people. The control of HIV/AIDS is through abstinence or protected sex that engages the use of condoms. The idea behind this is to control the exchange of body fluids such as semen and vaginal fluids that propagate the virus.

Another sexually transmitted infection is syphilis. Syphilis is a common STD spread by Treponema palladium bacteria which causes sours called chancres. The sours are painless and make it difficult for the infected person to diagnose the disease. The sours appear ten days to 3 weeks after the infection. If they are not diagnosed and treated at this stage, the sours disappear, but the virus advances to the second step (Calvet 2009, pp. 472). According to the report by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in (2015, pp.98) on STDs, the second stage of syphilis depicts weight and hair loss, painless skin rashes, tiredness, headache, and joint pains. These symptoms may, however, vary among individuals, becoming persistent over three months. In the third stage, the victims show severe signs such as dementia, stroke, blindness, skin rashes, heart diseases and paralysis. This third step is critical where syphilis can cause death if not treated.The physical examination helps diagnose Syphilis. A physical analysis is done in the genital areas, after which a medical officer conduct blood test upon the identification of sours. Among the standard treatments of syphilis are antibiotics such as penicillin and azithromycin. The Chancres may act as catalysts to other infections hence there is a need for frequent medical check and early treatment upon diagnosis of the disease.

Gonorrhea, also referred to as ‘the clap’ is a common STI among the teenagers and middle age group between the ages of 20-30 years. The disease is a caused by a bacterium called Neisseria gonorrhea through either semen or vaginal fluid. This bacterium infects moist and warm parts of the body such as the genital parts, cervix, vagina, urethra and the throat. There have been Cases of gonorrhea infection in the eyes where the victim rubs their eyes with hands bearing the bacteria. Among the symptoms of Gonorrhea are swelling tentacles, painful sensation during urination, pus discharge from the genital parts and frequent urination. Fever, pain during sexual intercourse and prolonged periods are among other symptoms witnessed in ladies. However, a higher number of the victims suffering gonorrhea do not show either of these symptoms. in the case where signs are not evident, urgent and frequent testing by specialists is the only sure way of whether or not one has the infection. Modern antibiotics cure gonorrhea. The control of Gonnorea is through abstinence, maintenance of one faithful sex partner, use and proper disposal of condoms and dental dams (Workowski & Berman 2010, pp. 78).

Genital herpes is another common sexually transmitted infection among sexually active partners. The simplex virus causes this infection. Recent research by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2015, pp.66) show that among every six people between the age of 19 and 40 years, an approximation of one person has genital herpes. Herpes is a very sneaky infection that one can survive over the years with without diagnosis. Herpes can affect the inner thighs and butt. However, they don't cause a severe threat to human health. Except be painful and annoying, genital herpes cannot cause death. The victims are advised to go on Anti-herpes medication when diagnosed with genital herpes.Protected sex or total abstinence is the sure most prevention measure for genital herpes infection.

According to Workowski & Berman (2010, pp. 178), most people living with sexually transmitted infections without a diagnosis. Chlamydia is another common STD that is caused by bacteria. It has no specific symptoms hence one can live over the years without diagnosing the infection. The sneaky sign is so familiar to human papillomavirus. Although the human papillomavirus is considered the least harmless type of STI, recent research reveals that most cases of cervical cancer have been as a result of human papillomavirus. Although the standard understanding is that human papillomavirus (HPV) is that it goes off by itself, there is a need for medication to prevent the worse cases of cervical cancer. A Pap test helps to diagnose the abnormal growth of cells within the cervix to establish HPV infections for vaccination.

Another infection example of STD is hepatitis B. This infection is spread by Hepatitis B virus, commonly referred to as HBV. The illness upon disease affects the liver. The virus, however, does not give diagnosable symptoms. The victims show flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, joint pain, vomiting and losing appetite. Flu-like symptoms make it difficult to diagnose the infection from the symptoms without testing. Although the disease goes away by itself within 4 to 8 weeks, at times it may become chronic and damage the liver and chronicle diseases such as live cirrhosis and liver cancer. There is a need for medical checkup and testing by medical experts, who will later administer the Hepatitis B vaccine upon diagnosing the infection. Those who get the hepatitis B infection have high chances of recovery, with few cases which worsen to chronicle levels due to lack of medication.

The list of the sexually transmitted diseases is endless. However, the control and treatment of the STIs have been a challenge over the last one decade. There is Ignorance in the fight against STDs. A greater percentage of the sexually active people living with STIs, either knowingly or without their consciousness. This ignorance has made a challenge to curd the situation and takes control of such infections effectively. Just like the sex concept, people fear to disclose these infections even to their partners. In most cases, one would prefer to keep the suffering by themselves in fear that their partner may take it negatively. To most people, disclosing the STIs to their partners will create mistrust issues, where the infected will be perceived to have had sex with a third partner. Others fail to disclose identified symptoms of the STDs in fear of stigmatization. The aspect of diagnosing the STD has been challenged by the unwilling to disclose the infection at early stages, even to the medical experts(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2015,pp.126)

The control of the STDs has taken an international level. Although the nation has taken the initiative to control and administer free or low-cost treatment to the STDs, the failure by victims to seek medication at early stages has made it a challenge to achieve this goal. Most of the cases of STS are diagnosed at late stages, rendering the medication useless and ineffective in most cases. Another challenge of the control of STDs is lack of awareness. Most of the symptoms contradict with other infections such as flue. This aspect has led to poor medication, with most victims going for treatment of non-existing diseases basing the treatment on the contradicting symptoms. A greater number of the Sexually transmitted diseases have sneaky symptoms, and one may live with the infection without noticeable symptoms. The infected looks healthy and feels fine, until when testing is done. A good example of this is HIV / AIDS, Hepatitis B, and Gonorrhea (Cohen 2004, pp. 102).

There is need to put severe measures in place to mitigate the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. Holmes, Levine, & Weaver (2004, pp.98) puts across the need for general awareness on the existing STDs. The public perception will help people to understand and diagnosis the STDs at early stages through the symptoms and seek medical assistance before the situation worsens. The public should be educated on other prevention measures such as the use of condoms and abstinence, maintaining one faithful partner and existing vaccines. The medical department has a role to play in ensuring these programs are initiated, and late diagnosis is mitigated. There is the need to change the social perspective on the STDs. In most cases, STD victims such as people living with HIV/AIDS and gonorrhea among others face stigmatization. The fear for stigmatization makes it a challenge for people to disclose these infections and seek medication for fear of being stigmatized. STDs are diseases like any other. However, they are turning to be a real threat to the human health. Hence these measures need to be put in place to ensure efficient control.