Sexually transmitted diseases are one of the main issues affecting young people today. Although STDs are constantly on the agenda, the message is still missed or, rather, ignored. It becomes increasingly important that we continue to speak about and educate young adults about the dangers of contracting an STD.
STDs are classified into 5 categories based on type: bacterial, fungal, viral, parasitic and protozoal.
When we think about STDs, we don’t typically imagine that there is a breakdown into the various types and how they are spread. Nor do we generally consider fungal, parasitic or protozoal infections as STDs, although they are classified as such. In this article we will take a closer look at STDs, examining not only the more common infections, but also those that are less well-known.
~Bacterial STDs include: Chanchroid, Chlamydia, Granuloma inguinale, Gonorrhea and Syphilis.
~Fungal STDs include: Granuloma inguinale (jock itch) and Granuloma inguinale (yeast infection).
~Viral STDs include: Viral hepatitis (Hepatitis B virus), Herpes simplex, HIV/ AIDS, HPV, Molluscum contagiosum (molluscum contagiosum virus MCV).
~Parasitic STDs include: Crab louse and Scabies.
~Protozoal STDs include: Trichomoniasis.
Each type of infection has a different means in which it may be transmitted. Bacterial infections are transmitted by physical contact, and contact of mucus membranes. All types of sexual intercourse, including outercourse, may transmit these infections. Fungal infections are transmitted by skin to skin contact, not necessarily sexual contact. For women, a yeast infection may be problematic, but is not so much a sexually transmitted infection as it is the result of an improper hormone balance, or the development of the conditions that allow the fungus to grow. The same applies for jock itch, which typically plagues men, but also affects women. This simple fungus is essentially like that of common ringworm and is highly contagious and difficult to treat, even though it is supposed to be simple. For example, the areas affected by jock itch are not primarily the areas that are exposed, but rather those that are always in clothing. Parasitic infections are also easily transmissible by physical contact, not necessarily by sexual contact, but more probable with sexual intercourse. With sexual intercourse comes constant contact, and the parasites move from one body to the next and multiply. Protozoal infections are transmitted via sexual contact, including contact from all membranes.
Education on sexually transmitted diseases is nothing new, as education starts at an early age. Our doctors, teachers, counselors, television, internet, and other media aid in the dissemination of information about sexually transmitted diseases. Of all these methods, the internet is proving to be the most effective way of providing educational articles about various STDs, including details on how to recognize signs of infection.
STDs may have serious complications if left untreated, and this is especially true in women. Apart from death and other visible signs of illness, STDs may cause sterility and other reproductive problems. It is very sad to realize that one may never have a child because of a past infection, especially when you are ready and willing to take on the responsibility.
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is the most lethal of all STDs, because of its rapid progression to AIDS (Aquired Immuno-deficiency syndrome) which, as its name implies, is acquired after untreated infection with HIV. Many persons, even with the large volumes of educational material available, confuse the virus (HIV) with the aquired syndrome (AIDS).
It is important to stress the fact that the two are not the same, but rather that HIV develops into AIDS, which is caused by the destruction of the immune system by the virus. Modern medicine has led to the development of anti retroviral pills that combat the virus and delay its progression into AIDS.
Sexually transmitted diseases have become even more relevant in today’s society because of the increasing number of sexually active persons, the breakdown in monogamous practices, and the fact that people are becoming sexually active at younger ages. This means that education must be constant and rigorous and must be started at an earlier age.
Related links:
http://www.epigee.org/guide/stds.html
http://www.avert.org/std.htm
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/sexually_transmitted_diseases/article_em.htm
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