SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES (STD’S)

 

SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES (STD’S)

These are infections, which are transmitted mainly through sexual contact during sexual intercourse. They are also referred to as Venereal diseases. Examples are; syphilis, Gonorrhoea, Chlamydia, Chanchroid and Granuloma, Candidiasis, Vaginosis, Genital Herpes, Hepatitis B, HIV/AIDS, and Trichomoniasis.

GONORRHOEA

This disease is caused by the gonococcus bacterium called Neisseria gonorrhoea. The bacterium infects the urethra in males and vaginal tract in females.

Transmission

i.      Through sexual intercourse

ii.      may be transmitted to eyes by a towel

iii.      The disease may affect baby’s eyes at birth. If they pass through an infected birth canal.

iv.      It can also infect the throat if infected genitals are kissed.

Symptoms in men

Swelling burning and pain in the reproductive tracts

Pain or difficulty with urination.

Drops of pus from the penis.

Sometimes there is painful swelling of testicles.

Rash or sores all over the body.

Symptoms in women.

Menstrual problems

Pain in the lower abdomen.

Urinary problems

Yellow discharge from the vagina.

Effects

(i)     It can cause sterility

(ii)   It can cause blindness

(iii) It rarely causes death

Control.

Avoid unsafe sex, i.e. Sex before or outside marriage.

Pregnant women should be checked and treated if any.

Treatment

Effectively treated using antibiotics like, Kanamycin, Streptomycin.

SYPHILIS

The disease is caused by bacteria called treponema pallidum.

Transmission

i.   Through sexual intercourse and sometimes through open sore (fracture)

ii.      From mother to foetus during pregnancy as the bacterium passes through the placenta.

iii.      From mother to child during birth.

Symptoms

Syphilis has three stages.

i)        First Stage or Primary Stage: development chancre i.e. a shiny and bright ulcer like a pimple, blister or an open sore on the site of the infection. This may last for about six weeks

ii)      Second stage or Secondary stage: If untreated after six weeks there may be development of skin rashes, sore throat, mild fever, headache mouth sore and ulcers on lips, swollen joints, loss of weight and appetite.

iii)    Third Stage or Tertiary Stage: this is called latent or quiet stage. What happens? Tumor may built up in the skin and visceral (internal) organs like heart, liver and can cause death.

Prevention:

(i)     Avoid irresponsible sexual behaviour. ie. To have healthy sexual relations. Avoid sex with strange person

(ii)   to get medical help and treatment immediately after the symptoms

Treatment.

Antibiotics like benzathine penicillin or tetracycline.

GENITAL HERPES.

This is a painful skin infection caused by a virus called Herpes simplex.

Symptoms.

a.       One or more small painful blisters, like drops of water on the skin, appear on the sex organs, penis, vagina, anus, buttock and thighs.

b.      Blisters burst and form open sore.

c.       The sores dry up and become scabs.

d.      Herpes can also appear on the mouth as a result of oral sex.

e.       The infection can spread to eyes if a person rubs them after touching the sores.

Transmission.

Through sexual intercourse.

Treatment.

Currently there is no medicine that cures herpes. Keep the area clean. Never have sex while the blisters or sores are present.

Wash hand more often and try not to touch the sores.

CHANCROID

Is a bacterium infection.

Symptoms.

a. Soft painful sores on the genitals or anus.

b.Enlarged lymph nodes may develop in the groin.

Treatment.

|Give co-tremoxazole or erynthromycin for 7 days. Take erythromycin after meals to avoid stomach upset.

Secondary Effects of Sexually Transmitted disease.

a.       Infertility/sterility.

b.      Pelvic inflammatory diseases.

c.       Ectopic pregnancies.

d.      Sepsis which can lead to death.

e.       Cervical cancer.

f.       Premature birth, abortion and stillbirths.

g.      Blindness of the foetus.

HIV/AIDS

AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus.

Cause.

AIDS is a viral infection caused by a strain of a virus called HIV. The virus is mainly found in the body fluids such as blood, semen and vaginal secretions. Also traces of HIV have been found in the sweat, saliva and tears.

Transmission.

a.       By having sexual intercourse with an infected person.

b.      By transfusion of infected blood.

c.       Mother to Baby:    -By birth, from an infected mother to her unborn baby.

-Contact with vaginal secretion during birth.

-Breast feeding.

d.      By use of unsterilised surgical and skin piercing tools, eg. Needles, pair of scissors. etc.

Stages of HIV.

i.         Window stage, the HIV virus enters the body.

ii.         Incubation period, the virus is multiplying in the body.

iii.         Symptomatic period, signs and symptoms start to show.

iv.         Full blown period, the immune system is completely destroyed.

Effects of HIV on White Blood Cells.

HIV replicates in particular type of white blood cell called T4 cell. The cell usually helps the Killer T cell (Helper T Cell) to fight pathogens. The virus destroys the T4 Cell. Hence immune system breaks down and the person becomes vulnerable to variety of diseases.

Sign and Symptoms.

a.       Chronic diarrhoea for more than a month.

b.      Eventual loss of weight, up to 10%.

c.       Constant and persistent severe cough for longer than a month.

d.      Skin infection, rashes and skin cancer.

e.       Inflammation of the lymph nodes.

f.       Advance stage: Mental confusion and eye problems.

Effects of HIV on Human body immunity.

HIV weakens the immune system by entering into the white blood cells (lymphocytes).

Patients with AIDS are prone or susceptible to opportunistic infections, like;

v.      Tuberculosis,

vi.      severe diarrhoea,

vii.      skin cancer,

viii.      Pneumonia.

Diseases Associated with AIDS.

i.      Brain infection, mental confusion and severe headache.

ii.      Cancerous cases, skin cancer.

iii.      Chest infections, pneumonia and tuberculosis.

iv.      Gut infections, chronic diarrhoea.

Prevention and Control

a)      Avoid promiscuous sex, ie. (ABC)=Abstain, Being faithful to one partner or use Condoms.

b)      Avoid transfusion of blood unless screened for HIV virus.

c)      Avoid sharing unsterilized surgical and skin piercing tools.

d)     Health and sex education should be given to people.

e)      Pregnant mothers should visit special clinic to protect their unborn children.

f)       Avoid risk behaviour: i.e. Homosexuality, prostitution, alcoholism and drug abuse.

g)      Patients should take anti-retroviral drugs (ARVs)which prolong their life span.

Treatment.

At the moment there is no treatment.

However several discoveries for drugs have been reported but none has been confirmed as being 100% effective.

Care of PLWHA (People living with HIV/AIDS)

These people need special care as they fear death, feel lonely and bad about the situation.

  i.      Keep wounds clean and covered

ii.      Do not share sharp things.

iii.      Wear gloves when washing his/her beddings.

iv.      Keep his/her beddings and clothings clean.

v.      Keep patient clean, i.e. Dispose his/her faeces, urine, vomit, sweat.

vi.      Give extra fluid to drink.

vii.      Give recommended good food, i.e. Balanced diet.

viii.      Do not let patient smoke or use alcohol.

ix.      Offer enough rest and good sleep.

x.      Offer moderate exercises.

xi.      Give words of wisdom, hope and success.

xii.      Never discriminate or stigmatize the patient.

xiii.      Treat opportunistic diseases.