Category: Sexually Transmitted Diseases

According to recent studies, around 20 million people are getting diagnosed with sexually transmitted diseases per year within United States. Around 50% of them are aged in between 15 to 24 years. Things are getting worse and World Health Organization predicts that the numbers will increase in the future. Therefore, you are at a risk of getting STD as well. That’s why you should have a solid overall understanding about them and learn how to overcome STDs.

Women Are More Vulnerable to Getting STDs

It has been identified that women are at a higher risk of getting STDs when compared to men. That’s because of the anatomy of women. In other words, it is easier for the STDs to transfer to women when compared to men. On the other hand, STDs can give some serious consequences for women as well. For example, if chlamydia is left untreated, it can eliminate the ability that a woman has to get pregnant.

Almost All Sexually Active Men and Women Have Had HPV Infections

More than 150 different strains of HPV can be found. Out of them, over 40 are transmitted during a sexual activity. Out of those 40, around a dozen are identified as high risk strains. During a sexual intercourse, many HPV strains are transmitted, but your immune system will fight against them and eliminate from the body. Hence, you will not notice it.

Condoms Don’t Guarantee that You Are Protected from STDs

Many people believe that usage of condoms is the best method available for them to stay away from STDs. It is true that using condoms can reduce the risk factor of getting a STD. However, condoms don’t guarantee that you are protected from STDs. To get the best possible protection from condoms, you should think about using new ones when you have anal, oral or vaginal sex with a new partner.

Doctors Don’t Tend to Routinely Screen for Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Most of us go for an annual physical exam to determine our overall health and wellbeing. However, many doctors don’t tend to screen for sexually transmitted diseases during these annual checkups. However, it is important for you to think about getting yourself screened for STDs during the annual checkup. Then you can figure out whether you have become a victim of a STD or not. When you detect it early, you will be able to go ahead with appropriate treatments and receive positive results.

Homosexual Men Are at the Highest Risk of Getting Syphilis

According to the statistical information, it has been identified that homosexual men are at the highest risk of getting syphilis as well. Syphilis can give life to a painless sore. These sores are named as chancres and they develop once the syphilis gets into the body. It is common to see the syphilis bacteria in the head of penis. Due to the same reason, homosexual men have the highest risk of getting syphilis as well.

Some of the STDs Are Asymptomatic

When you get some of the sexually transmitted diseases, you will not experience any symptoms at all. In other words, those sexually transmitted diseases are asymptomatic. Therefore, you will not even know whether you are infected or not. Chlamydia is a perfect example for such a sexually transmitted disease. It doesn’t usually cause any symptoms among women. On the other hand, it can take up to 10 years for the symptoms of HIV to develop within a person as well. That’s why you need to think about getting yourself tested for STDs during annual screening sessions.

If STDs Are Untreated, You Will Have to Face Serious Consequences

When you are diagnosed with a STD, it is important to go ahead with appropriate treatments as soon as possible. If the STD is left untreated, it can trigger a lot of negative side-effects. For example, if chlamydia is left untreated, it will reduce the ability of a woman from achieving pregnancy.

Not All of STDs Are Curable

Many people believe that STDs such as HIV are not treatable. This fact is not true. You can provide treatments for all the STDs that exist on the planet and reduce the symptoms. However, some of the STDs such as HIV cannot be cured. As a result, you will have to keep on providing treatments along with time. The viral STDs, such as HIV, hepatitis B, herpes, genital warts and HPV are not curable. You will only be able to manage the symptoms linked with them.

STDs Can Get Transmitted Via Oral Sex

There is a high possibility for the STDs to get transmitted via oral sex as well. Hence, it is important to play safe when you are having oral sex. Some of the most common STDs that get transmitted via oral sex include herpes, syphilis, gonorrhea and hepatitis B. You need to use a condom when having oral sex to reduce this risk factor. Even a dental dam can help you with it.

Over 25 Different STDs Are There

You are aware of some of the most common STDs such as hepatitis B, gonorrhea, chlamydia, HIV and genital herpes. However, these are not the only STDs that exist on the planet. More than 25 different sexually transmitted diseases have been identified as of now. They can be parasitic, bacteria or viral. Some of these STDs can be curable, whereas others are not.

You must keep these facts in your mind and act accordingly, so that you can reduce the chances of getting STDs.

Knowing that I was enrolled in a human sexuality course when my best friend approached me in a state of crisis, I knew exactly what to do. She told me that last night she had unprotected sex with her boyfriend and feared she was pregnant. I told her that the first thing she needed to do was get a Plan B which is also known as the morning after pill. This is an emergency contraceptive that is used to prevent pregnancy after having unprotected sex. It is available without a prescription and does not have any serious side effects. I also told her that the Plan B would only work if it is taken in less than 72 hours after having unprotected sex so it was important that she visited the nearest pharmacy and got one. Fortunately for her she still had time.

After that, I proceeded to have a conversation with her about having unprotected sex and the dangers that come with it. I explained to her that apart from having an unwanted pregnancy she will also be living her body vulnerable to many types health-related issues. She might contract HIV/AIDS and other sexuality transmitted diseases such as herpes, chlamydia, and gonorrhea. Infections and scabies might also occur when having unprotected sexual contact with someone else. Since having unprotected sex can lead to various problems it is for our own good that we should use protection whenever we engage in sexual activity.

Getting pregnant and raising a child is no easy task for anyone both physically and mentally. This becomes even harder when getting pregnant was not the intent. Contracting diseases such as HIV/AIDS because of engaging in unprotected sex will alter your normal way of living for the rest of your life. I told her that it is important that her and her boyfriend get tested for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases just to be safe and sure. This is because sexually transmitted diseases are very common and although many people have been educated on the dangers of having unprotected sex it still happens. The number of people contracting sexually transmitted diseases is highest among teenagers and young adults. Since this was the category my friend fell under the need for getting tested was even more important.

What can one do in order to deal with all these issues surrounding the act of having unprotected sex? The best way to deal with this is by abstaining from sexual activity. If this is not an option for you, there are a couple of ways and methods you can use to stay safe and maintain a healthy sexual life. Depending on how sexually active you are certain methods maybe more suitable than others. One of the most common ways of protecting yourself from sexually transmitted diseases and avoid pregnancy is the use of condoms. Condoms are made out of latex and there are both male and female condoms. According to NHS UK if male condoms are used properly, they are ninety eight percent effective. Condoms are generally easy to put on and they are not reusable. Amanda A from Birth Control.com also states that condoms are the most commonly used method of contraception with an average of four hundred and fifty million condoms being sold each year in the United States alone.

Birth control pills which is an oral contraception is another method she could consider using to prevent her from getting pregnant while having unprotected sex. The pills contain hormones that prevent fertilization from occurring. In order for the pills to prevent pregnancy they must be used correctly. Forgetting to take the pill or not taking the pill at the right time might make this method to be ineffective and the pregnancy will not be prevented. I then went on to emphasize to her that even though birth control pills are very effective in preventing pregnancy, they don’t offer any protection against sexually transmitted diseases. Birth control pills also come with a couple of side effects. This side effects include changes in mood which might increase the risk of developing depression, users also tend to miss their periods sometimes and mild nausea might be expected. Prolonged use of the daily pill may also lead to other long-term health problems such as a stroke.

Since she already had a boyfriend, I figured abstaining from sex would not be a solution for her. Using the daily pill without a condom wouldn’t protect her from sexually transmitted diseases. Although having only one sexual partner will decrease the chances of getting infected, sometimes people cheat and your partner whom you trust so much might infect you. It is important that she and her boyfriend regularly get screened for sexually transmitted disease if they prefer to have sex without a condom.

For her current situation I told her that the most suitable method would be the use of a condom. This is because unlike the oral contraception the condom will protect her and her boyfriend from spreading any sexually transmitted diseases to each other and it will also prevent her from getting pregnant. Condoms also don’t come with any side effects apart from possible allergies to latex. They are more simple to use when compared to the birth control pills that have to be taken daily and at the prescribed time in order for them to work.

I told that it was also important that she has a conversation with her boyfriend about having unprotected sex and the dangers that surrounding it. This will help them know which method of contraception would be best for both of them. This way she will be able to prevent future pregnancy scares. It is very important and beneficial for all of us to have and maintain a healthy sexual life.

Bibliography

1. P. Thornton, DipPharm, “Plan B One-Step.” Drugs.com. Drugs.com,11 Dec.2018.Web. 28 Sep.2019 < https://www.drugs.com/plan-b.html>
2. Shivani Dixit, “What are the dangers of unprotected sex.” Lifealth. Lifealth.com, 28 Nov.2017.Web.28 Sep.2019 < https://www.lifealth.com/love-and-relationship/sexual-health/what-are-the-dangers-of-unprotected-sex-sd/51707/>
3. Amanda A, “Condom Use Statistics.” BirthControl.com. BirthControl.com, 1 Jun.2016.Web.28 Sep.2019 https://www.birthcontrol.com/condom-use-statistics/
4. Lori Smith, BSN, MSN, CRNP, “10 most common birth control pill side effects.” MEDICALNEWSTODAY.MEDICALNEWSTODAY.com, 29 Jan.2018.Web.29 Sep.2019

There are many different infections and diseases that one can endure in their lifetimes. There are many different sexually transmitted diseases and infections. To fully understand the impact they have on individuals, one must completely understand what they are, how they come about, if they are curable, and ways they can be treated, if possible.

To begin, There is often a common misconception between sexually transmitted infections (STI) and sexually transmitted diseases (STD). An STI is an infection that is passed from one person to another person through sexual contact (Office of Womens Health, n.d.). This occurs when a parasite, bacteria, or virus enters one’s body, and grows in or on the body. STDs are sexually transmitted diseases, meaning they are often spread by sexual intercourse (Johnson, n.d.). Examples would include HIV, chlamydia and genital herpes. When speaking about the two, we must understand that there is a difference. Having a sexually transmitted infection does not necessarily mean having a disease. An infection is typically the gateway to a disease and happens when bacteria or viruses multiply when entering the body. Essentially, all sexually transmitted diseases start out as sexually transmitted infections (Corlis, n.d.).

Sexually transmitted diseases and infections can be caused in a variety of ways, including bacteria. Bacterial sexually transmitted infections are caused by skin on skin contact or bodily fluids, allowing the bacteria to enter the body (Meds, n.d.). Chlamydia is a bacterial infection caused by the bacteria Chlamydia Trachomatis (Meds, n.d.). It is a very common disease that is transmitted through intercourse and cannot be passed by touch. Chlamydia can be treated easily with oral antibiotics such as azithromycin or doxycycline (Meds, n.d.). Another very common bacterial STD is gonorrhea. Caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae, it can only be transmitted during sexual intercourse, including oral sex. Those with gonorrhea are often prescribed antibiotics such as azithromycin or doxycycline products (Mayo Clinic, n.d.). An additional infection caused by bacteria is syphilis. Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacteria Treponema pallidum (Falck, n.d.). This is transmitted through direct contact with a “chancre,” a syphilis sore. Syphilis is a treatable infection, however it is hard to notice as symptoms may take a long time to show or in some cases, do not appear at all. Syphilis goes through 4 stages. Those that get diagnosed early can often be cured with penicillin. If one is allergic to penicillin, they will be treated with antibiotics such as doxycycline, azithromycin, and ceftriaxone (Falck, n.d.). If one is to be diagnosed in the later stages of syphilis, they will have to get daily doses of penicillin intravenously, and be in the hospital for some time, dependent on the body’s recovery.

Protozoa are known to cause STDs as well. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, protozoa is a “phylum or group of phyla that comprises the single-celled microscopic animals, which include amoebas, flagellates, ciliates, sporozoans, and many other forms. They are now usually treated as a number of phyla belonging to the kingdom Protista” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary). Protozoa are also major factors in causing various types of STDs. A common sexually transmitted protozoan disease is Trichomoniasis. It is in direct relation with the parasite Trichomonas vaginalis (CDC, n.d.). Trichomoniasis can be treated by oral medication such as metronidazole or tinidazole (Marcin, n.d.). These pills are safe for pregnant women. Those that have been treated can get re-infected. Approximately 1 in 5 people get infected again during the first 3 months after treatment (Marcin, n.d.).

Next, we have viruses. Sexually transmitted diseases can be caused by a virus. In fact there are many STDs that fall into this category. One being Hepatitis B, a liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus, also known as “HBV.” In some cases, the hepatitis B infection can become chronic and last for more than six months, increasing the risk of liver complications (Clinic, n.d.). If the hepatitis B infection is acute, many doctors will inform the patient to get proper rest, nutrition, and fluids while the infection is combatted by the body. If the infection is chronic, the individual will need treatment for the rest of their life. The treatments will be focused on making sure the risk of liver disease goes down, and to prevent the transmission of the infection to others. Treatment methods include antiviral medications, interferon injections, and in the most severe cases, liver transplants (Clinic, n.d.). Herpes is an infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (Brazier, n.d.). Symptoms include cold sores, vaginal discharge, blisters, and discomfort during urination. Unfortunately, herpes has no cure, however, it can be treated with painkillers such as ibuprofen, and even applying a lotion or petroleum jelly to the affected area. Although there is not a drug that can get rid of the herpes virus, many doctors may prescribe acyclovir, or other antiviral medication to help prevent the multiplication of the virus (Brazier, n.d.). Another viral STD is the human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV. This virus causes AIDS as it damages the immune system, increasing the chances of an individual getting sick (Parenthood, n.d.). It is spread during sex or the sharing of needles and syringes. However, condoms can protect the spread of the virus. HIV is incurable, but in spite of that, there are treatments that help people with HIV live healthy and long lives. The most common treatment used to combat the amount of HIV in one’s blood is Antiretroviral therapy, commonly referred to as “ART” (Parenthood, n.d.). With constant treatment the level of HIV in the blood will lower, making the HIV in that individual unable to spread to other individuals. Lastly, human papillomavirus, or HPV, is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States (CDC, HPV Fact Sheet, n.d.). There are various types of HPV. Some forms can cause genital warts and cancers (CDC, HPV Fact Sheet, n.d.). One can obtain HPV by having sexual intercourse, including anal and oral sex. HPV has no treatments for the virus itself, and often goes away on its own. For those that have HPV as a persistent problem, there are treatments for the health problems it can create. A person with genital warts can be treated with prescription medication and those with cervical precancer can get frequent “Pap” tests as needed at the discretion of their doctor. (CDC, HPV Fact Sheet, n.d.).

With all this information gathered, one must also understand how to prevent and protect themselves from obtaining a sexually transmitted disease. While not having sex is the only sure way to prevent STDs, wearing latex condoms every time sexual intercourse is performed is a way that sexually active people can protect themselves from the virus. Other forms of precautionary strategies include avoiding the sharing of towels or underwear, and always washing before and after sex. For hepatitis B, one can choose to get a vaccination (Johnson, n.d.). To prevent the spread of an STD to another person, that individual should not resume having sex unless their doctor tells them to, and if someone does feel they have an STD, they must stop having sex and see a doctor immediately (Johnson, n.d.).

STDs are a constant challenge that many in today’s society face. There are many different forms of STDs, including bacterial, protozoan, and viral infections. There are many ways to prevent the spread of STDs such as the use of latex condoms and before and post-sex routines. Many of the sexually transmitted diseases can be treated and cured, however there are still many that do not yet have a cure. Encouraging those to be diligent in their mindfulness during sex is crucial to a person maintaining a healthy sex life.

References

1. Brazier, Y. (n.d.). Symptoms, causes, and treatment for herpes. Retrieved from Medical News Today: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/151739.php
2. CDC. (n.d.). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved from cdc.gov: https://www.cdc.gov/std/trichomonas/stdfact-trichomoniasis.htm
3. CDC. (n.d.). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved from cdc.gov: https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/whatishiv.html
4. CDC. (n.d.). HPV Fact Sheet. Retrieved from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/stdfact-hpv.htm
5. Clinic, M. (n.d.). Hepatits B. Retrieved from Mayo clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hepatitis-b/symptoms-causes/syc-20366802
6. Corlis, N. (n.d.). STI VS. STD. Retrieved from STDcheck: https://www.stdcheck.com/blog/std-vs-sti-whats-the-difference/
7. Falck, S. (n.d.). Healthline. Retrieved from healthline.com: https://www.healthline.com/health/std/syphilis
8. Johnson, T. C. (n.d.). Understanding Sexually Transmitted Diseases. Retrieved from WebMd: https://www.webmd.com/sex-relationships/understanding-stds-basics
9. Marcin, J. (n.d.). Trichomoniasis. Retrieved from Healthline: https://www.healthline.com/health/trichomonas-infection
10. Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Retrieved from Mayoclinic.org: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gonorrhea/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20351780
11. Meds, B. S. (n.d.). Types of Common STIs and STDs. Retrieved from Be Safe Meds: https://www.besafemeds.com/std-sti-types/stis-caused-bacteria/
12. Merriam-Webster Dictionary. (n.d.).
13. Office of Womens Health. (n.d.). Retrieved from Womenshealth.gov: https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/sexually-transmitted-infections
14. Parenthood, P. (n.d.). HIV & AIDS. Retrieved from plannedparenthood.org: https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/stds-hiv-safer-sex/hiv-aids

More often, senior citizens are viewed as asexual beings who no longer possess the desire to engage in intimate relationships. Contrary to this belief, this age group is actually very much sexually active and does, in fact, engage in sexual activity quite frequently. Senior citizen beliefs regarding the proclivities of sexual activity stem from an era of sexual revolution where experimentation and sexual inhibitions were freely exhibited with minimal consequences, and this time period has been calculated in history as being around the 1960s. This belief system became more conservative as communicable diseases began to emerge. The evolution of these beliefs over the years changed owing to more traditional, social, and moral behaviors. Even with this being the case, those beliefs are disappearing, and causal liaison is becoming more accepted amongst the older adult populations.

In the narrative of transmission, there are gender disparities that exist. The reproductive anatomy of women is composed of vascular mucous membranes, and thus, the transfer of Sexually Transmitted Diseases takes place a lot more quickly in women than in their male counterparts. Unfortunately, women also have much more of an affinity for more health-related problems associated with Sexually Transmitted Diseases. Untreated Sexually Transmitted Diseases can mutate and become more complicated illnesses such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), cervical cancer, and even death from neurological and cardiovascular effects. The risk in both senior citizen men and women may be more susceptible to Sexually Transmitted Diseases. As the aging process occurs, the immune system begins to weaken and therefore becomes more vulnerable to infection.

Viral and bacterial illness such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, genital herpes, and syphilis, are becoming more prevalent in the senior citizen population. As per the results from The Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance 2015 conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there was a significant rise in the number of infection cases in the senior citizen population. From the CDC, They have sexually transmitted Disease Surveillance Report of 2015, the percentage of infected adults with Sexually Transmitted Diseases over the age of 55 spiked. The spikes were noted to be from among adults aged 55-64, followed by adults age 65+.

Sexually transmitted diseases are a significant public health problem that continues to persist here in the United States. This issue among the senior citizen population typically unrecognized by the public, policymakers, as well as health care officials. The continually rising cost of treatment options, along with clinical complications associated with Sexually Transmitted Diseases, is placing a heavy burden on the U.S healthcare system. Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, sexually transmitted diseases place a significant economic strain on the U.S healthcare system. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conservatively estimates that the lifetime cost of treating the most common Sexually transmitted diseases contracted is 15.6 billion annually. Although the older adult population will not pay billions of dollars for treatment, they may lack the resources and or funds to pay for medical bills or prescriptions associated with the treatment of Sexually transmitted diseases.

The older adult population is not likely to have health-seeking behaviors when it comes to Sexually transmitted diseases. The asymptomatic nature, along with the sluggish identification of signs and symptoms of Sexually transmitted diseases from older adults, can lead to a vicious cycle of transmission of the diseases from person to person. This kind of endemic in the older adult population can lead to epidemic levels causing concern for the public. This issue should be addressed on local, state, and federal levels.

Sexually transmitted diseases, or also known as STDS for short, are diseases that are passed from an infected person to an uninfected person through sexual contact. Sexually transmitted diseases are caused by a few cases such as bacteria, viruses, yeasts or parasites. Overall, there is a sum of over 20 kinds of sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia, human immunodeficiency virus, genital herpes, syphilis, and gonorrhea. Syphilis is a prevalent bacterial infection that is spread during sexual intercourse and is easily cured with antibiotic medicine. Syphilis is easily spread due to the sores on your genitals and spreads with skin to skin contact. Most choose to say that not all kinds of sexually transmitted diseases are harmful, but that simply is not true. There is no such thing as a ‘safe’ sexually transmitted disease. Even those that have a cure can cause serious health problems if left untreated. In particular, human immunodeficiency virus, a viral sexually transmitted disease and also known as HIV, can be dormant for many years until symptoms appear. HIV harms your immune system by destroying white blood cells that your body uses to fight infections. Due to this, individuals who have human immunodeficiency are at a greater risk for serious diseases and certain cancers. A majority of sexually transmitted diseases affect both men and women fairly but in many cases, the health problems that arise from sexually transmitted diseases can be more severe for women. If a pregnant woman has a sexually transmitted disease, it can cause dangerous health predicaments for the baby. Most sexually transmitted diseases caused by bacteria, yeasts or parasites can be treated with antibiotics. Unfortunately, there is no cure for sexually transmitted diseases caused by a virus, but medicines have been successfully proven to help with the symptoms and keep the disease under control for a long period of time. There are several ways to prevent yourself and others from catching sexually transmitted diseases. Tools to prevent sexually transmitted diseases such as vaccines, topical microbicides, and barrier methods are some of the popular options due to their practicability. They play an essential role in protecting you and your partners against these transmitted diseases. Used correctly and consistently these tools may reduce an individual’s risk of acquiring or transmitting a majority of sexually transmitted diseases. Candidiasis, a fungal sexually transmitted disease, is a fungal infection due to any type of candida. It is properly prevented by using barrier methods such as condoms and dental dams. It is easily spread through unprotected sexual activity and can form white patches on the mouth or on the genitals of individuals.

The relation between humans and bacteria is not always bad – they are helpful in some situations such as helping our digestive system break down enzymes. Just as they are helpful, they can bring on extremely destructive diseases such as pneumonia or syphilis. Bacteria are microscopic, single-celled organisms that live in obscure environments such as the ocean, earth’s dirt and even inside the human digestive organs. Bacteria are categorized as prokaryotes – a single-celled organism with a simple inner structure that lacks a nucleus and holds DNA that floats freely in a braided, thread-like mass called a nucleoid, or in a separate, round piece called plasmids. Bacteria organisms can be distinguished by their shape, cell walls, or by simple differences in their genetic composition. The Gram stain is a test that is frequently used to identify bacteria by the composition of their cell walls by observing bacteria that do not possess an outer membrane. Bacteria are known to be generally encompassed by two protective coverings – an outer cell wall and inner cell membrane. Bacteria are categorized into 5 groups according to their shapes: round bacteria called cocci, capsule-shaped bacteria called bacilli, comma-shaped bacteria called vibrios, corkscrew-shaped bacteria called spirochaetes, and spiral bacteria called spirilla. They can exist as single cells, in sets, or groups. A majority of bacteria reproduce by an asexual process called binary fission. An individual bacterial cell becomes big enough to replicate its DNA and then divides the replicated self from the original in which it creates two identical ‘daughter’ cells. In other cases, bacteria can also reproduce via budding. In this case, the daughter cell grows inside the parent cell until it becomes identical to its parent and detaches itself. When the circumstances are just right, some bacteria can divide or multiply every 20 minutes while others take days.

Syphilis is a notably common bacterial infection that is spread during sexual intercourse. Syphilis can have extremely serious complications if left untreated but can be cured with the right treatment. Syphilis can be transmitted from person to person through vaginal, anal, and oral sex. Formerly thought to be a rare disease in developed countries, modern data suggest that there is a surge in episodes involving syphilis in North America and Europe (Leong 2018). Most commonly, Syphilis is transferred by direct contact with a sore, also known as a chancre. Symptoms may arise within 10 to 90 days from being infected. Syphilis mimics a series of stages that can last for weeks, months, or even years. Symptoms may vary by stage but involve sores or rashes on the genitals, rectum or mouth. There may not be any symptoms until the final stage, in that case, it can result in damage to important organs such as the brain, heart, or eyes. Syphilis can be detected using the Gram stain due to the walls of the bacteria. According to the CDC, the suggested treatment is Benzathine penicillin G 2.4 million units administered intramuscularly in a single dose.

A virus is a small parasite that replicates inside the living cells of an organism considering it cannot replicate on its own. Viruses are able to infect all sorts of species, ranging from animals to plants and even to bacteria. Once it infects a cell body, a virus attacks the genetic material of the cell by injecting its nucleic acid into the cell body. A virus can reproduce in two ways – the Lytic cycle and Lysogenic cycle. In the Lyric Cycle, the nucleic acid takes over the normal operation of the host cell and produces multiple copies of the virus’s protein coat and nucleic acid (Lodish 2000). The host cell gets injected with the new virus and explodes while the virus looks for a new host cell to attack. A simple virus may contain only enough RNA or DNA to encode about four proteins but the most complex can encode about 100 to 200 proteins. Some viruses, such as herpes and HIV, enter the host cell but stays dormant for years. Even if the viral nucleic acid becomes a part of the host cell, it does not manage to affect the functions of the cell. Eventually, the nucleic acid will become active and take over the host cell’s functions. This type of viral reproduction is called the Lysogenic cycle. The life cycle time of a virus ranges from days to a month. Viruses come in a variety of shapes and sizes. They are very small and are measured in nanometers. The basic structure of a virus is made up of a genetic information molecule and a protein layer that protects that information molecule (Morgridge Insitute for Research). A virus comes in 4 different structures: icosahedral, enveloped, complex, or helical.

HIV is a virus that is spread through body fluids that attack the body’s immune system, specifically T cells, also known as CD4. HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. It weakens your immune system by destroying white blood cells that are crucial for fighting off diseases and infections. Due to this, if you are HIV positive you are at high risk for serious infections and cancers. AIDS stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and is the final stage of infection with HIV. Not everyone who is HIV positive will develop AIDS. There is no effective cure for HIV but with medical care, someone with HIV can live a long and healthy life. HIV is most regularly spread through unprotected sex with a person who is HIV positive. It can also be spread by administering needles or through contact with the blood of a person who is infected. Women can also transfer HIV to their children through pregnancy or childbirth. For those who are left untreated, there are three stages. In the first stage, within a month of getting infected people may experience a flu-like illness which can persist for weeks. In stage two, HIV is active but multiplies in low amounts so few may encounter symptoms. For those who are not being treated, this period may last a decade or longer. In the final stage, the virus has transformed from HIV to AIDS. This stage is the most severe phase of the virus. Those with AIDS have a remarkably damaged immune system that is regularly fighting off severe illnesses. Without treatment, people with AIDS typically live for about 3 years. Symptoms of AIDS include sweats, chills, fever, swollen lymph glands, and weight loss. To be diagnosed with AIDS, those affected have a CD4 cell count that is under 200 cells/mm. The only treatment that is effective in controlling the symptoms of HIV and AIDS is antiretroviral therapy or ART. ART is used to lower the amount of HIV in the body so it can become undetectable.

A fungus is a unicellular or multicellular eukaryotic organism. Yeasts, probiotics, and mushrooms are generally known examples of fungi. Like animals, fungi are heterotrophs which means that they obtain their energy by consuming organic materials like decomposing matter. Fungal cells contain a membrane-bound nucleus where the DNA is wrapped around histone proteins (Boundless). Fungal cells contain mitochondria and a complex system of internal organelles. A fungus has firm layers of cell walls that hold a complex carbohydrate polysaccharide called chitin and glucans. Chitin gives structural strength to the cell walls that protect the cell from predators. Fungi can be found to thrive in a moist and slightly acidic environment in which they can grow or reproduce without light or oxygen. Fungi can vary from a unicellular to multicellular state depending on its environment. Candida is a prime example of a unicellular fungus. Fungi are able to reproduce both asexually or sexually. They are able to reproduce asexually by fragmentation, budding, or producing spores. They can also reproduce sexually with homothallic or heterothallic mycelia (Lumen Learning). Asexual spores are genetically identical to the parent cell. In both sexual and asexual reproduction, fungi produce spores that scatter from the parent by either hitching a ride on an animal or floating in the wind. The life cycle of a fungus begins as a spore and last until germination. Some may live for as brief as a day or as long as a month.

Candidiasis is a fungal infection due to any type of Candida or any type of yeast. There are over hundreds of Candida species, but only some can actually cause infections in humans. Candida normally tends to live in places such as the mouth, throat or vagina in the human body without causing many problems. Candida yeasts cause infections once they get out of control or if they have entered the bloodstream or internal organs such as the heart or brain. Candidiasis that occurs in the mouth is called oropharyngeal candidiasis. Candidiasis in the vagina is commonly referred to as a ‘yeast infection.’ Unusual vaginal discharge is a common complaint in women and can be a major sign of Candidiasis (Kalaivani, Rajalakshmi 2016). Yeast infections often cause thick, white and clumpy vaginal discharge that smells slightly different than normal. In women, a creamy whitish coating around the vagina. Yeast infections generally lead to itching, burning, and redness throughout the vagina. Candidiasis can be easily cured in a few days with anti-fungal medication. Topical medication that is used to cure yeast infections can be bought over the counter or with a prescription. Oral medication such as Diflucan or Fluconazole can also be prescribed by an authorized professional. If Candidiasis is not treated, susceptibility to other sexually transmitted diseases increases. Complications such as infertility, ectopic pregnancy, and low birth weight can occur.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention predicts that in 2007 there were approximately 24,000 HIV infected youth between the ages of 13 and 24 in the United States. Any sexually transmitted disease should be treated with equal importance whether it is HIV or Syphilis. If neglected, all of these sexually transmitted diseases will come with consequences. It does not matter whether it is a bacteria, virus, or fungus. Depending on the type of disease STDs can be spread with any type of sexual activity. STDs are most often caused by viruses and bacteria but can be cured with antibiotics. Sexually transmitted diseases are extremely common, and lots of people who have them show no symptoms. Sometimes they can be transmitted nonsexual, such as during pregnancy or childbirth. Luckily, most can be easily treated and prevented. Tools to prevent sexually transmitted diseases such as vaccines, topical microbicides, and barrier methods are some of the common options due to their practicability. They play an essential role in protecting you and your partners against these transmitted diseases. Used correctly these tools may decrease an individual’s risk of obtaining or carrying a majority of sexually transmitted diseases.

References

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