Sexually Transmitted Diseases: How Much Do You Know?

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) is our topic for this week and I will be bringing you bits and pieces of information you can’t possibly find elsewhere, and as a teaser, I am going to unclad the discus with a slight peek into the STD world, ways it can be contracted, prevention and how those of them that could be cured can be cured.

STDs are very rampant in our world today and you know why? It is because of the lure for the forbidden. Our present society is so sexualized to the point that naked women are used to campaign for poverty eradication in Africa. So, kids with raging hormone think it is normal to practice what they see on the internet, cinemas, TV and magazines.

The risk of contracting STDs is high among young people between the ages of 15-25 because they tend towards the line of having sexual intercourse with multiple partners who may eventually have multiple partners. The use of drugs and alcohol are also risk factors among these people

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) are diseases that that can be contracted via sexual intercourse (vaginal, oral or anal). Common STDs are Chlamydia, Chancroid, Syphilis, AIDS, Gonorrhea, Trich, Shigellosis, Giardiasis, Scabies, Viral Hepatitis, Genital Herpes, Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), Syphilis and HIV. And some of them like Herpes and HPV can be spread by skin-to-skin contact

PREVENTION

Since preaching abstinence in this present age is like dragging a heifer to the slaughter house, people are advised to engage in healthy monogamous relationships, properly and consistently use condoms- even though protection from STDs is not absolute with condoms, it minimizes risk- and avoid the use of drugs.

COMMON SYMPTOMS OF STDs

Many STDs are asymptomatic, for instance Hepatitis B, which can be contracted when a drug user shares contaminated needles, could thrive undetected for years, and then is passed on to another person during unprotected sexual intercourse. Some could appear within a few weeks and go away but are still alive and increasing in mass and waiting to be transmitted to a new host and so the only way you can be certain you are safe is to get tested.

Some common symptoms are;

• Pain or burning sensation with urination
•  Itching in the vaginal or rectal area
• Skin rash or mouth lesions
• Abnormal discharge from the vagina or penis
•  Pain in the lower abdomen in women; pain during sexual intercourse
• Sore or blister, painful or not, on the genitals or nearby; swellings in the groin

TREATMENT

Some STDs like Gonorrhea and Chlamydia can be treated with drugs which your healthcare provider would prescribe for you but you see others like Herpes cannot be cured but your doctor can give you drugs to manage the symptoms

DANGERS

When you don’t treat an STD you could, as a lady, have difficulties getting pregnant or have distorted fetus and your chances of contracting HIV will be very high. Death could also occur. The best thing you could do for yourself is to be faithful in your relationship because having multiple partners and STDs is like water and thirst, they will always meet.

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