Sexual Health
Sexual health refers to the state of physical, mental and social well-being in matters related to sexuality. It does address not only lack of disease but also the possibility of having safe sexual experiences that are free of discrimination, violence and coercion. Various diseases are expected when one fail to practice safe sex. They include hepatitis, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, genital warts, Herpes, scabies, pubic lice and Pelvic inflammatory disease.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is caused by a virus, and it leads to inflammation of the liver. When Hepatitis B is not treated on time, it causes liver cell damage which can extend to liver cirrhosis and cancer. Hepatitis B is sexually transmitted, and it has led to the death of many people in the United States.
Transmission
Hepatitis B is transmitted through various modes including direct contact with the blood, vaginal secretions and semen. Thus, it is transmitted through unprotected oral-vaginal or anal sex. It can also be transmitted through sharing of sharp objects, for instance, needles used during body piercing and acupuncture needles, and needles for injecting drugs. It can also be transmitted through birth when the baby’s body comes into contact with the liquids from the mother.
Symptoms
The early symptoms of hepatitis B include nausea and vomiting, dark urine, fatigue, loss of appetite, abdominal pain and a feeling of ill-health. Some experience jaundice as an early symptom.
When hepatitis B is not treated for a long time, it advances to damage of liver cell, liver cirrhosis and sometimes cancer.
Diagnosis
Hepatitis B can only be diagnosed by a healthcare provider using a special blood test that detects HBV antibiotics. Liver Biopsy, ultrasound and E-antigen tests can also be used in diagnosing the disease.
Treatment
Treatment depends on whether the disease is acute or chronic and there is no specific treatment for the disease.
Syphilis
Syphilis is an STI that is caused by a bacterium known as Treponema pallidum. This bacterium gets into the human body through mucous membranes or any ton skin. It is transmitted from one individual to another through sexual intercourse whether there is penetration or not. As long as the infected lesions come into contact with soft skin, the disease is transmitted. It is also transmitted through cuts and during birth from mother to child.
Early symptoms
A chancre is the first symptom which appears as a single sore. It occurs 10 to 90 days after one gets into contact with the disease bacterium. It appears around genitals, anus and inside vagina or rectum. It persists for three to six weeks before it disappears.
If syphilis goes untreated for a long time, it can lead to small bumps of tumor on skin, liver or any organ. It can lead to chronic nervous system disorders and problems with heart and blood vessels.
Diagnosis
To detect syphilis, a blood test is used which tests for syphilis antibodies. Also, fluid can be obtained from lesions and get tested. Blood is screened while fluid samples are tested using a microscope to detect the antibodies.
Treatment
The best treatment for syphilis is penicillin and can be used for both children and adults including pregnant women.
Chlamydia
Chlamydia is an STD caused by bacterium chlamydia trachomatis. It is common in adolescents and young adults of the United States. It is transmitted through sexual activities either anal or vaginal sex. Any contact of soft mucous membranes with infected secretion facilitates infections. Unprotected sex is the dominant form of transmission of this disease.
Early signs and symptoms of chlamydia include vaginal discharge and burning sensation during urination for women and for men, they experience pus, pain during urination and swelling of testicles. Pain during sexual intercourse, lower back pain, abdominal pain and fever are other symptoms.
When chlamydia is not treated for long, women can experience PID which can advance to infertility. Tubal pregnancies are also likely to occur.
Diagnosis
In detecting chlamydia, NAATs test is used to diagnose the condition. It represents nucleic acid amplification tests, and it is very accurate. Urine and swab tests can also be used.
Treatment
Antibiotics are used in the treatment of the disease, but the doctor has to decide the most suitable treatment for an individual.
Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is a transmitted sexual disease that is caused by bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The disease is transmitted through unprotected sex, either by vaginal, anal or oral sex. It is transmitted when the mucous membrane if sexual organs come into contact with the membranes and secretions if an infected person. Also, contact with infected secretions can lead to transmission of the disease; thus, it is not only transmitted through intercourse. It is also transmitted to babies during birth when the baby passes through the infected canal.
Signs and symptoms
Symptoms include burning sensation during urination, frequent urination, pain in the testicles and abnormal discharge for women. Most women lack symptoms, especially in their first days. For newborns, it is characterized by conjunctivitis.
The long-term effects of gonorrhea include pelvic inflammatory disease as well as infertility. It also causes long-term pelvic pain.
Diagnosis
Gonorrhea is tested by the use of urine or swab tests. The test should also consider chlamydia because they are related.
Treatment
Patients with gonorrhea are treated using antibiotics either oral or injection.
Pelvic Inflammatory Infection
This is a condition that affects upper reproductive organs of females. The disease is transmitted sexually but can also occur naturally. Gonorrhea and chlamydia are believed to causes of PID among others. Any other infection in women genitals can cause PID.
Early symptoms
Pain in the lower abdomen, during sex and when one urinates are some of the symptoms. Also, one feels nauseated, and sometimes one vomits. Bleeding between menstrual cycle and increased vaginal discharge are other common symptoms. Women also report fever and chills.
If PID is not treated on time, it leads to women infertility and other life-threatening complications.
Diagnosis
One is said to have PID when, and pelvic exam is done, and there is tenderness in the lower abdomen, tenderness of the ovaries and fallopian tubes as well as tenderness of the cervix. Pelvic ultrasound is also used in making the diagnosis.
Treatment
PID is treated using a wide range of antibiotics and antimicrobial agents used for treating diseases such as chlamydia and gonorrhea. The drug majorly used is Ofloxacin tablets.
Genital Warts
Genital warts are a type of STD caused by the human papilloma virus. The disease affects the skin especially the first layer of the disease. The disease is transmitted through sexual contact and can also be spread through skin contact especially during birth.
Symptoms
Small bumps or minor irritations are the major reported symptoms. Also, minor bleeding can occur of the lesions are irritated. The lesions appear as red or resemble the color of flesh.
If genital warts are not treated for a long time, they can lead to pain, itching and discomfort
Diagnosis
Genital warts can be diagnosed by touching them or looking at them by a medical professional. If the warts are not visible, a vinegar solution test is conducted where the solution is applied to the affected area to identify them.
Treatment
Topical medicine is used in the treatment, but for the single lesions, liquid nitrogen spray is used. Imiquimod is also used which is a cream applied on the lesions.
Herpes
Herpes is a disease that is sexually transmitted. The disease causes sores and painful blisters to the genitals of a human and whether the blisters break, fluid oozes. It is transmitted sexually or though kissing. Herpes affects genitals and mouth depending on the area affected.
Symptoms
Patients report an itching around the genital similar to that of insect bite or a rash. A painful small bister can be noted around the genital organ which can leave sores. Slight bleeding can also be a symptom of herpes which occurs after the blisters burst.
If herpes is left untreated, it leads to the development of painful sores. It also aggravates the risk of HIV infection since the sores bleed and when they are in contact with an infected person, HIV can easily be passed. Also, chances of miscarriages and premature births are experienced for patients with untreated herpes.
Diagnosis
Blood tests, swab tests or even eyeballing are used to make a diagnosis. Doctors also make a judgment for patients with herpes.
Treatment
Since herpes is a viral disease, antiviral medications are used in the treatment. Some of the medicines used include valacyclovir, acyclovir and famciclovir. These medicines are administered to patients in their first episodes of the disease.
Pubic lice
Lice are insects that reside in any hair-bearing part of the body. Pubic lice are only found on the pubic region where they bite and cause itching in that region. Pubic lice are transmitted through sexual contact.
Symptoms
The major symptom of pubic lice is itching that occurs around the pubic area. The itching mainly occurs at night. Crab eggs are also seen at the bottom part of the hair. Small bugs can also be seen on that hair. Fever is also common to patients with pubic lice.
If pubic lice are not treated in time, it can lead to infections related to scratching. The skin also becomes scaly and scarred.
Diagnosis
They are seen when looked closely. A magnifying lens can also be used to identify them on the human body.
Treatment
The proposed treatment for pubic lice includes permethrin cream, lindane shampoo or pyrethrins which are all applied to the affected areas. To stop the itching, hydrocortisone is used.
Scabies
Scabies is an infection that affects the top layer of the skin. It is caused by a parasite known as Sarcoptes Scabiei. It is transmitted through contact with an infected person or items that are already infected.
Its symptoms include persistent itching which is worse at night. Lesions can also be evident which appear like rashes or brown noodles. Mite burrows can also be seen. If scabies is not treated on time, it can lead to eczema and other skin diseases due to persistent itching.
Diagnosis
Microscopic exams of scrapping are conducted. Burrow ink can also be used as well as topical tetracycline solution. Treatment is done using permethrin cream and Lindane cream. Ivermectin is a drug taken orally and is also used as alternative treatment.
To Prevent STI transmission, people should be trained to embrace abstinence where they choose not to have sex despite having feelings. Also, having a single sexual partner is assumed to reduce the transmission of STIs. Communicating with a partner about STIs and sexual health acts as a prevention strategy for transmission. Getting tested and not engaging in low-risk and high-risk activities such as kissing and genital contact will control transmission. Also, youths and adolescents should be advised to use barriers such as condoms and to avoid drug and substance abuse.
Teaching about STIs should start as early as age 7 and progress in life since young adults are at risk of infections due to lack of knowledge. Adolescents between the age of 15 and 21 are at high risk of infections thus they should be educated at an early age. Schools should educate children on sexual health and ways to prevent transmission of STIs. They should also demonstrate how to use barriers to prevent contact of genitals safely. Parents should guide their children and protect them from getting influential friends. Peer pressure should be controlled right from homes and extend to school to protect these children from sexually transmitted infections.