Sexual transmitted diseases (gonorrhoea , syphilis,chlamydia,genital herps)

 Sexual transmitted diseases

(Some diseases may lead to death also)

Sexually Transmitted Diseases A sexually transmitted disease (STD) is one that is spread by sexual contact. In most developed countries of the world, such as those of Western Europe, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand, the

incidence of STDs has declined markedly during the past 25 years. In the United States, by contrast, STDs have been rising to near-epidemic proportions; they currently affect more than 65 million people.

AIDS and hepatitis B, which are sexually transmitted diseases that

also may be contracted in other ways, are discussed in Chapters 22

and 24, respectively.

Gonorrhoea 

1 ) Gonorrhoea is a sexually transmitted veneral disease caused by Diplococcus bacterium , Neisseria gonorrhoeae . 

( 2 ) The incubation period 2 to 14 days in males and 7 to 21 days in females .

3 ) Infection sites are mucous membrane of urino - genital tract , rectum , throat and eye . 

 (4) Males show the following symptoms: Partial blockage of urethra and reproductive ducts, pus from penis, pain and burning sensation during urination, arthritis, etc. 

 ( 5 ) Symptoms in female include , pelvic inflammation of urinary tract , sterility , arthritis . The children born to affected mother suffer from gonococcal ophthalmia. there In girl - child , is the occurrence of gonococcal vulvovaginitis before puberty. 

 ( 6) Preventive measures for gonorrhoea are as follows : 

( i ) Sexual hygiene 

( ii ) Use of condom during coitus . 

 ( iii ) Sex with unknown partner or multiple partners should be avoided 

( 7) Gonorrhoea can be treated with Cefixime which is antibiotic.

Gonorrhea (gon-o¯-RE¯-a) or “the clap” is caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. In the United States, 1 million to 2 million new cases of gonorrhea appear each year, most among individuals aged 15–29 years. Discharges from infected mucous membranes are the source of transmission of the bacteria either during sexual contact or during the passage of a newborn through the birth canal. The infection site can be in the mouth and throat after oral–genital con-

tact, in the vagina and penis after genital intercourse, or in the rectum after recto–genital contact. Males usually experience urethritis with profuse pus drainage and painful urination. The prostate and epididymis may also become infected. In females, infection typically occurs in the vagina, often with a discharge of pus. Both infected males and females may harbor the disease without any symptoms, however, until it has progressed to a more advanced stage; about 5–10% of males and 50% of females are asymptomatic. In females, the infection and consequent inflammation can

proceed from the vagina into the uterus, uterine tubes, and pelvic cav

ty. An estimated 50,000 to 80,000 women in the United States are made infertile by gonorrhea every year as a result of scar tissue formation that closes the uterine tubes. If bacteria in the birth canal are transmitted to the eyes of a newborn, blindness can result. Administration of a 1% silver nitrate solution in the infant’s eyes prevents infection.

Chlamydia

Chlamydia (kla-MID-e¯-a) is a sexually transmitted disease caused by

the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis (chlamy- cloak). This unusual

bacterium cannot reproduce outside body cells; it “cloaks” itself inside cells, where it divides. At present, chlamydia is the most prevalent sexually transmitted disease in the United States. In most cases, the initial infection is asymptomatic and thus difficult to recognize clinically. In males, urethritis is the principal result, causing a clear discharge, burning on urination, frequent urination, and painful urination. Without treatment, the epididymides may also become inflamed, leading to sterility. In 70% of females with chlamydia, symptoms are absent, but chlamydia is the leading cause of pelvic inflammatory disease. The uterine tubes may also become inflamed, which increases the risk of ectopic pregnancy (implantation of a fertilized ovum outside the uterus) and

infertility due to the formation of scar tissue in the tubes.

Syphilis

Syphilis, caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum (trep-oNE¯-ma PAL-i-dum), is transmitted through sexual contact or exchange of blood, or through the placenta to a fetus. The disease progresses through several stages. During the primary stage, the chief sign is a painless open sore, called a chancre (SHANG-ker), at the point of

contact. The chancre heals within 1 to 5 weeks. From 6 to 24 weeks later, signs and symptoms such as a skin rash, fever, and aches in the joints and muscles usher in the secondary stage, which is systemic—the infection spreads to all major body systems. When signs of organ degeneration appear, the disease is said to be in the tertiary stage. If the nervous system is involved, the tertiary stage is called neurosyphilis. As motor areas become damaged extensively, victims may

be unable to control urine and bowel movements. Eventually they

may become bedridden and unable even to feed themselves. In addition, damage to the cerebral cortex produces memory loss and personality changes that range from irritability to hallucinations.

Genital Herpes

Genital herpes is an incurable STD. Type II herpes simplex virus (HSV-2) causes genital infections, producing painful blisters on the prepuce, glans penis, and penile shaft in males and on the vulva or sometimes high up in the vagina in females. The blisters disappear

and reappear in most patients, but the virus itself remains in the body. A related virus, type I herpes simplex virus (HSV-1), causes cold sores on the mouth and lips. Infected individuals typically experience recurrences of symptoms several times a year.

Genital Warts

Genital warts typically appear as single or multiple bumps in the genital area and are caused by several types of human papillomavirus (HPV). The lesions can be flat or raised, small or large, or shaped like a cauliflower with multiple fingerlike projections. Nearly 1 million people in the United States develop genital warts annually. Genital

warts can be transmitted sexually and may appear weeks or months

after sexual contact, even if an infected partner has no signs or symptoms of the disease. In most cases, the immune system defends against HPV and the infected cells revert to normal within two years. When immunity is ineffective, lesions appear. There is no cure for genital warts, although topical gels are often useful treatments. As Noted earlier, the vaccine Gardasil is available to protect against most genital warts.