*sexually-transmitted diseases
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hat are STDs, anyhow? They used to be called venereal diseases when I went to school - not so long ago. But now,
in an era of technological wizardry and contraceptive gadgetry, they are known
as “sexually-transmitted diseases.”
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od
in his infinite wisdom must have had a reason for the Ten Commandments; and if
the ten plagues seemed stiff, his latest vendetta - AIDS - has made herpes appear as a cream puff in the eye of a hurricane.
Can you really get it from a toilet seat?
As
long as someone is transferred or goes to conventions, there will always be
STD’s.
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oc,
I’m married, you understand? I’ve been transferred to another city and
haven’t seen my wife in two months; I have my needs, Doc – I was away at the convention, and, well ... Have you ever
noticed that venereal diseases always have a foreboding’ imminence about them?
Doc, I’m getting married tomorrow.
How do I get rid of these sores? You’ve
got trouble, buddy! And they
often are explained in ways having nothing to do with sex; I think I strained myself (With whom and where did the discharge
come from?). Something fell on “it. “
I “caught” it in my zipper (Syphilis?) ... You think worker’s comp
will cover it? STD’s always affect the most faithful: I’ve been married for
ten years and have always been faithful except this once ... Herpes in the
throat? After 25 years what’s
this “cauliflower” growing down here? Sometimes
it’s just a matter of sharing with neighbors. Neither of us have ever had
anything before, but we’ve had some friends over... well, my wife and I are
concerned. You know we’ve never had this before - could they have...?
The
most common sexually-transmitted diseases
include - from bad to worse - pubic lice, venereal warts, gonorrhea, chlamydia,
syphilis, herpes and AIDS.
Certainly,
other varieties exist and probably with more understanding we may find this
order to be capriciously contrived. In the good old days of venereal disease,
one might find a crab (pediculosis pubis), have a discharge or sore, maybe a
wart or two, get some kwell or penicillin and be “cured,” at least of the
symptoms (not necessarily the precocity). Now one has to worry about resistant
organisms as well as the new guys on the block - chlarnydia, herpes and AIDS.
And now, venereal warts may even be precancerous - oh no! How sweet it once was!
Pubic
lice (“crabs”) are
tiny, slow moving, blood-sucking creatures resembling flat crabs. The female’s
white eggs, called nits, attach to the hairs. Beware of friendly traveler folk
with sleeping bags, old sofas and couches, poor hygienic conditions. A
night-time itch often heralds their visit; kwell will cure.
Venereal
warts
are
small, occasionally itchy areas of viral infection on the genital skin. Because
they are believed to be caused by a mildly contagious virus, warts appear to
spread through sexual relations. They spread most readily in moist and
unhygienic conditions and often appear in conjunction with a disorder that
produces an increased vaginal discharge, such as a vaginal yeast infection.
Warts neglected for many years may become malignant. They can be removed by
podophyllin, freezing, or electrical cautery.
Gonorrhea,
the old standby, has as its first warning (at least in men) burning upon
urination followed by a thick, pus-like discharge from the penis usually 3-7
days after infection. A woman, on the other hand, may not have apparent
Chlamydia has
now been found to be even more common than gonorrhea. Symptoms include pain on
urination and a watery mucous discharge. In a woman, the infection may damage
the fallopian tubes and result in infertility (similarly with gonorrhea).
Detection with immunoassays have made the diagnosis less difficult and less
costly. Though chlamydia is not a
bacteria, antibiotics are also an effective treatment. A protracted course of
treatment is often required, however. Chlamydia
is frequented associated with other STD’s so keep a lookout.
Syphilis:
Unfortunately,
having one STD doesn’t mean one hasn’t contracted others. For this reason,
prudence suggests one check for syphilis,
also known as the great imitator. Quite often the first signs, a painless
ulcer or chancre followed by a rash and fever 4-6 weeks later, will go
unrecognized. The disease progresses to the so-called latent stage, detectable
only by findings of senility, insanity, loss of sensation, and a special blood
test. (Get a blood test early; why wait?) Fortunately, despite its serious
consequences, antibiotics are very effective treatment in early stages.
Herpes
Genitalis,
an infection of the genitals, is a painful infection caused by the herpes
sirnplex virus, a cousin of the cold sore virus, manifests about six days after
contact with an infected person, and begins with pain, tenderness or itchiness,
usually on the penis or vulva. This may be accompanied by fever, headache, or
malaise. Thereafter, groups of single or multiple blisters appear, eventually
forming raw exposed skin or painful ulcers which last 1-3 weeks. Recurrences are
common, though usually less severe. Diagnosis is sometimes difficult, and a
herpes antibody titer or herpes isolation test may be performed. No cure is
available; however, Zovirax (or new more powerful and expensive anti-viral
medication) ointment or pills may shorten the course of the infection. New work
with interferon may prove promising. Otherwise, a soothing ointment reduces pain
while frequent warm baths help reduce inflammation.
Antibiotics are prescribed if the sores become infected.
And
finally we have AIDS - Acquired Immune
Deficiency Syndrome - a disease in which some of the body’s white blood
cells (lymphocytes) are destroyed, causing the body’s natural defense system
to be impaired. A person with AIDS has a lowered resistance to certain
infections and diseases. The virus is transmitted by sexual relations, both
homosexual and heterosexual, as well as through blood transfusions. Symptoms of
the disease include repeated infections, progressive weight loss, general
weakness, and eventual death. A person infected may never develop symptoms but
may carry the virus for a lifetime. As a carrier, one may develop AIDS
associated diseases, swollen glands and temperatures. A diagnosis may be made by
a blood test, and the AIDS patient may respond to antibiotic and antiviral
medication. Treatment for the
underlying problem is still unavailable.
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o
what is a person to do?
In
our pluralistic society with an abundance of options, the spectrum of choices
for some is becoming narrower. Fulfilling the cyclic movement of our world,
culture may once again return to the Ten Commandments rather than meet the
destiny of Sodom and Gomorrah ... Unless, of course, condoms really are the
answer.
Eh…. What’s Up, Doc?
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