STDs: decoding. Sexually Transmitted Diseases: Treatment, Prevention

What is an STD? The decoding is: sexually transmitted diseases. Almost all the sexually mature population of the planet know this abbreviation, because it is difficult to avoid meeting with them, and as a preventive measure it is necessary to equip themselves with knowledge.

Male problem

In most cases, STDs (decoding - sexually transmitted diseases) pass without any uncomfortable symptoms for a person, although there are exceptions, of course. Therefore, no one turns to a doctor, especially if the reason for the consultation confuses the patient or puts him in an uncomfortable position before his family. Unfortunately, the "ego" plays a more important role in the modern value system of the individual than well-being. Abortive, erased or ignored diseases lead to serious consequences in the future. STDs in men may be the cause of prostatitis, urethritis, inflammation of the epididymis and infertility. Sexual function also suffers: decrease in libido, problems with an erection, an ejaculation, reception of an orgasm are directly connected with an infection. Women, no less than men, are prone to the acquisition of sexually transmitted diseases and their spread. But the beautiful half is more conscious of their own organism, so the desire to be healthy is higher, and the percentage of recovery, respectively, too.

Under attack

In the risk category are young people, women and men of childbearing age, people who lead a promiscuous sex life and often change partners. Women who engage in prostitution as a means of extracting money are also vulnerable.

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There are more than twenty STD pathogens. The list of diseases is not inferior in number of positions and begins with the most famous and common of them: syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, genital herpes, bacterial vaginosis. Next are nosologies that occur less frequently: balanoposthitis, urogenital shogellosis, genital warts, giardiasis, amoebiasis and others.

Reasons for the spread

1. The preponderance of the demographic situation in favor of the young population, leveling the institution of marriage and changing the norms of social and family morality.
2. The growth of cities, the universal use of the Internet for expanding the circle of acquaintances, international tourism, including sex tours.
3. Tolerance to differences in sexual relations (homo- and heterosexual couples, free marriage).
4. Public, social unrest: wars, insurrections, natural disasters, epidemics.
5. The low availability of contraceptives in third world countries, where the number of people is growing, and the living conditions leave much to be desired.
6. The prevalence of prostitution on a voluntary or violent basis.
7. Addiction, substance abuse, alcoholism.
8. Stability of pathogens to drugs, antiseptics because of their ubiquitous use without prescribing a doctor.

Examination

Analyzes for STDs include the study of secretions from the external genitalia. At the reception the doctor makes a swab from the genitals, which is transferred to the laboratory for study. The contents are microscopy, stained with aniline dyes, and are sown on meat-peptone agar or a specific medium to grow a cell culture. These are the most accessible methods of laboratory diagnosis. In addition, a blood test is taken to identify the signs of infection and to check the presence of specific antibodies to clarify the diagnosis. More expensive and accurate tests, such as a DNA test or PCR, detecting the pathogen by the presence of its genetic material (even in trace amounts) in human biological fluids. Analyzes for STDs can be done in any commercial or public laboratory, whether with a referral from a doctor or without it.

Briefly about the main infections

So, we will characterize the most common STDs.

Syphilis

How does this infection get into the body? STDs of this type, unfortunately, are transmitted not only by sex, but also by contact-household means. It is almost asymptomatic. The first rash appears 3-5 weeks later. During this time, the pale spirochete has time to spread throughout the body and increase the number of its colony. After the rash disappears (and this happens fairly quickly), again there will come a period of calm.

The next manifestation is a hard chancre in the collar of the infection (oral cavity, genitalia, places of damage to the skin). They too can pass independently, without medical intervention. When two months later the person again notices the rash, the disease has already passed to the next stage. After a while, the rash will disappear again, and syphilis will not make itself felt for years, even decades. To later appear as a tertiary chancre, which corrodes the skin, muscles and bones, very painful. The end of all this is a long and painful death from concomitant pathology, such as paralysis, cardiovascular disease, encephalopathy.

Genital herpes

Such an STD (the decoding we already know), like the herpes simplex virus of the second type, causes an infection that manifests itself only on the genitals. Transmitted by sexual and vertical (at the time of delivery) by. It appears itching around the genitals, the appearance of vesicles (vesicles) on the buttocks, the inner surface of the thighs, burning during urination.

After four weeks, the symptoms go away and manifest themselves again only when the body is weakened by another infection or immunity is reduced. Without treatment, the disease becomes chronic. It is important if you have a history of suspected herpes suspected during pregnancy planning, otherwise a child can be born with intrauterine malformations.

Gonorrhea

Bacterial venereal disease, transmitted solely through sexual contact. A few days after a dubious contact in men, purulent discharge begins when urinating, accompanied by painful sensations of rubbing, itching, tingling in the groin. There are symptoms of the infectious process: fever, chills, lack of appetite.

When the infection spreads higher, on the internal genitalia, it leads to painful defecation, inflammation of the testicle and, consequently, to infertility. Timely treatment helps to avoid possible complications, but immunity is formed unstable, so the risk of getting sick again remains.

Chlamydia

The causative agent is an intracellular parasite, which can be detected only by analyzing the blood for the content of antibodies to chlamydia or a provocative test that "lures" the bacteria.

The first symptoms appear only a week after contact. Appear mucous or purulent discharge, itching, pain. With the passage of time, uncomfortable sensations pass, and the disease becomes chronic. Without proper treatment, the carrier is able to infect his sexual partner.

Therapy

After the venereologist suspected the patient of an STD, the transcript of his analysis and the collection of the anamnesis were successful, the diagnosis was established - one could start treatment. Considering the considerable number of diseases and the erasure of the clinical picture due to untimely application for medical care, the diagnostic process may take a bit longer.

Treatment of STDs consists in exposure to the pathogen (antiviral, antibacterial drugs), strengthening of natural protection (immunomodulators) and preventive sanitary education with the patient. In addition, it is necessary to persuade a person to lead to a survey of his regular partner, since he, too, may be sick. Treatment of STDs can not be interrupted after all symptoms have disappeared, because the pathogen has not completely left the circulatory system before the end, and the disease can return.

Prevention

At the moment, measures to reduce the number of cases of infection with sexually transmitted diseases are reduced to conducting lectures among schoolchildren about safe sex, distribution of free condoms and mandatory annual medical examinations.

Prevention of STDs is necessary to ensure that people in a timely manner go to medical institutions for help. Awareness of the population, especially young people, about the methods of protection and early manifestations of these diseases reduces the percentage of chronic diseases and severe complications. Self-prevention of STDs is the availability of barrier contraception and careful selection of partners.

Be attentive to your health! An untreated STD in men is one of the first factors of infertility and sexual impotence.