What is an STD? The definition is: sexually transmitted diseases. Almost the entire sexually mature population of the planet knows this abbreviation, because it is difficult to avoid meeting with them, and as a preventive measure, you need to arm yourself with knowledge.
Man problem
In most cases, STDs (deciphering - sexually transmitted diseases) pass without symptoms that are uncomfortable for a person, although there are exceptions, of course. Therefore, no one goes to the doctor, especially if the reason for the consultation confuses the patient or puts him in an uncomfortable position in front of his family. Unfortunately, "ego" plays a more important role in the modern system of values of the individual than good he alth. Abortive, erased or ignored diseases lead to serious consequences in the future. STDs in men can cause prostatitis, urethritis, inflammation of the epididymis, and infertility. Sexual function also suffers: a decrease in libido, problems with erection, ejaculation, orgasm are directly related to the infection. Women are no less than men prone to acquiring sexually transmitted diseases and spreading them. But the beautiful half is more conscious of its own body, thereforetheir desire to be he althy is higher, and the recovery rate, respectively, is also higher.
Under attack
Young people, women and men of childbearing age, people who are promiscuous and often change partners are at risk. Women who engage in prostitution as a means of earning money are also vulnerable.
List
There are more than twenty STD pathogens. The list of diseases is not inferior in the number of positions and begins with the most famous and common of them: syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, genital herpes, bacterial vaginosis. Next come nosologies that are less common: balanoposthitis, urogenital shegellosis, genital warts, giardiasis, amoebiasis and others.
Reason for distribution
- 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.
- Growth of cities, total use of the Internet to expand the circle of acquaintances, international tourism, including sex tours.
- Tolerance for differences in sexual relationships (homo and hetero couples, free marriage).
- Public, social unrest: wars, uprisings, natural disasters, epidemics.
- Low availability of contraceptives in Third World countries where populations are growing and living conditions leave much to be desired.
- Prevalence of prostitution on a voluntary or forced basis.
- Drug addiction, substance abuse, alcoholism.
- Resistance of pathogens to drugs, antiseptics due to their widespread use without a doctor's prescription.
Examination
STD tests include examination of discharge from the external genitalia. At the appointment, the doctor makes a swab from the genitals, which is transferred to the laboratory for examination. The contents are microscoped, stained with aniline dyes, sown on meat-peptone agar or a specific medium in order to grow a cell culture. These are the most accessible methods of laboratory diagnostics. In addition, a blood test is taken to detect signs of infection and to check for specific antibodies to clarify the diagnosis. More expensive and more accurate tests, such as a DNA test or PCR, which identify the pathogen by the presence of its genetic material (even in trace amounts) in human biological fluids. Testing for STDs can be done at any commercial or government laboratory, with or without a referral from a doctor.
Briefly about the main infections
So, let's characterize the most common STDs.
Syphilis
How does this infection enter the body? STDs of this type, unfortunately, are transmitted not only sexually, but also through household contact. Runs almost asymptomatic. The first rash appears after 3-5 weeks. 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 will happen quite quickly), there will again be a period of calm.
The next manifestation is a hard chancre at the gates of infection (oral cavity, genitals, places of damage to the skin). They can also pass on their own, without medical intervention. When, two months later, a person notices a rash again, 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 then manifest itself in the form of a tertiary chancre, corroding the skin, muscles and bones, very painful. The end of all this is a long and painful death from comorbidities 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. It is transmitted sexually and vertically (during childbirth) by. Manifested by itching in the genital area, the appearance of bubbles (vesicles) on the buttocks, inner thighs, burning during urination.
After four weeks, the symptoms disappear and reappear only when the body is weakened by another infection or immunity is reduced. Without treatment, the disease becomes chronic. It is important, if there is a history of suspected herpes, to be examined during pregnancy planning, otherwise the child may be born with intrauterine malformations.
Gonorrhea
Bacterial venereal disease transmitted exclusively through sexual contact. A few days after questionable contact in menpurulent discharge begins during urination, accompanied by painful sensations of pain, itching, tingling in the inguinal region. There are symptoms of an infectious process: fever, chills, lack of appetite.
When the infection spreads higher to the internal genital organs, it leads to painful defecation, inflammation of the testicle and, as a result, to infertility. Timely treatment helps to avoid possible complications, but the immunity is unstable, so the risk of getting sick again remains.
Chlamydia
The causative agent is an intracellular parasite, which can only be detected by a blood test for antibodies to chlamydia or a provocative test that “lures” bacteria.
The first symptoms appear within a week after contact. There are mucous or purulent discharge, itching, pain. Over time, discomfort disappears, and the disease becomes chronic. Without proper treatment, a carrier can infect their sexual partner.
Therapy
After the venereologist suspected an STD in the patient, the decoding of his tests and the collection of anamnesis were successful, the diagnosis was established - treatment can begin. Given the significant number of diseases and the blurring of the clinical picture due to untimely seeking medical help, the diagnostic process may be somewhat delayed.
Treatment of STDs consists in influencing the pathogen (antiviral, antibacterial drugs),strengthening of natural protection (immunomodulators) and preventive sanitary and educational work with the patient. In addition, you need to persuade a person to bring his regular partner for examination, as he, too, may be sick. STD treatment cannot be interrupted after all symptoms disappear, because the pathogen has not yet completely left the circulatory system, and the disease may return.
Prevention
At the moment, measures to reduce the number of cases of sexually transmitted diseases are reduced to lectures to schoolchildren on safe sex, distribution of free condoms and mandatory annual medical examinations.
STD prevention is essential to ensure that people turn to medical institutions for help in a timely manner. Awareness of the population, especially young people, about the methods of protection and early manifestations of these diseases reduces the percentage of chronicity and severe complications. Self-prevention of STDs is the availability of barrier contraception and careful selection of partners.
Be attentive to your he alth! Untreated STDs in men are one of the first factors of infertility and sexual impotence.
