SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are infections that can be passed from one person to another during sexual contact. One does not have to have sexual intercourse to get STDs. Even with oral sex and foreplay around the genital area, sexual transmitted disease is possible. They are caused by bacteria and some are caused by viruses. Sexually transmitted disease vary greatly in terms of symptoms and treatment. And many sexually transmitted infections can be cured by early treatment. You can reduce your risk of getting sexually transmitted disease by practicing safe sex. Some common sexually transmitted diseases are HIV virus (human immunodeficiency virus), hepatitis B, syphilis, genital warts, gonnorhea and chlamydia.

Basic sex knowledge of how sexual transmiitted disease is transmitted, its signs and symptoms, treatment and prevention is a must for all sexually active men and women.

Gonorrhoea and Chalmydia- Symptoms usually appear between 1 and 3 weeks after exposure but may not emerge until much later. Chlamydia is known as a silent disease as in many people it produces no symptoms and are still able to pass it on. Chlamydia and gonorrhoea are bacterial infections with similar symptoms. Chlayamydia is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections in young people 15-25 years of age. Chlamydia can be transmitted nby having unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex with someone who is infected.it can aslo be transmitted from a mother to her baby during vagianl childbirth, or by tranferring the infection on fingers from the genitals to the eyes. it is estimated that 70-75 percent of women infected with chalymydia are asymptomatic ( have no symptoms) and a significant proportion of men also have no symptoms. for women, they may notice their vaginal discharge is different or have bleeding in between their periods or oain with sex. As for men, they may have pain when peeing and a discharge from their penis.. Both infections are easily cured witha single dose of antibiotics. Your sexual partner will aslos need treatment so they don't give it back to you or pass it to someone else. Make an appoinrment with your local doctor or sexual health clinic for a simple chlamydia testing.

Syphilis. Is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidium. The infection is usually sexually transmitted in which case it is called veneral syphilis. It may also be passed from an infected mother to he rinborn child, in which case it is known as congenital syphilis.. syphilis has benn uncommon since penicillin became widely available in the 1950s, although global syphilis statistics show that in recent years the number of cases has been rising. Syphilis can be transmitted through direct contact with a syphilis sore. The methods of transmission are by having vaginal, anal or oral sex with someone who has the infection or from a mother to her unborn child. Syphilis cannot be passed on by sharing baths, toilets, towels or eating utensils. The symptoms of syphilis are the same in men and women. they can be mild and difficult to recognise or distinguish from other sexually transmitted diseses. Symptoms may take up to 3 months to appear after initial infection. Syphilis is a slowly progressing disease that has severals tages the primary and secondary stages are very infectious. Syphilis is easy to cure in its early stages. A single intramuscular injection of penicillin, an antibiotic, will cure a person who has had syphilis for less than a year. Although using a condom reduces the chances of becoming infected with syphilis, it is not entirely effective. A condom may not cover all of the sores or rashes in the affected areas, and direct skin contact may result in transmission. If a person has sex regularly with multiple partners, then it is advisable for them to get frequent sexually transmitted disease check-ups.

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