Sexually transmitted diseases: epidemiology, prevention, and treatment

Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Syphilis is a highly contagious disease that is caused by the bacteria Treponema pallidum. ("Syphilis - CDC Factsheet") This disease is spread primarily through sexual contact, including vaginal, anal, and oral; but can also be spread by extended kissing. Another form of the disease, called "congenital syphilis" occurs when a pregnant woman spreads the disease to their unborn child. This can result in birth defects, abnormalities, or even the death of the child. The bacterium Treponema pallidum can only be transmitted from an infected person to an uninfected one through sores found on the infected person's body. These sores are small, firm and round and appear on the genitals, anus, or mouth. ("Syphilis - CDC Factsheet") Because these sores are often not recognized as being caused by Syphilis, many people do not know they are infected and go on to infect others. Contrary to popular belief, this disease cannot be transmitted by using toilet seats, swimming pools, hot tubs, baths, clothing, or eating utensils; but if acquired, it can be easily treated with antibiotics. Without treatment rashes will start to appear on different parts of the body, as well as fever, swollen glands, sore throat, hair loss, headaches, weight loss, muscle aches, and fatigue. Left untreated over a period of years, Syphilis will lead to severe damage to the internal organs, and the development of dementia, paralysis, and blindness. ("Syphilis - CDC Factsheet") Avoiding sexual contact with an infected person is essential to prevent infection, but also the use of condoms can restrict the flow of infected fluids.

Unlike Syphilis, Genital Herpes is caused by a virus, specifically wither the herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) or the herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2), with HSV-2 being the most prevalent. ("Genital Herpes - CDC Factsheet") Most people infected show little or no signs of infection at first, but when the signs do appear, they do so as blisters located around the genitals and rectum. Over time the blisters will pop, leaving behind sores that can take up to four weeks to heal. ("Genital Herpes - CDC Factsheet") At first, new outbreaks of Genital Herpes usually occur ever few weeks or months, but as time passes, the outbreaks become less severe and shorter in duration. The number of outbreaks will usually diminish over the period of a few years. Like Syphilis, Genital Herpes is spread through sexual contact. Both viruses, HSV-1 and HSV-2 reside in the sores and blisters caused by the disease and are passed to another person when fluid from these sores enters their body. ("Genital Herpes - CDC Factsheet") Between outbreaks, when sores and blisters are not present, the viruses can also be transferred from person to person through the skin. Pregnant women can also transmit this disease to their unborn children and should be careful not to contract the disease during pregnancy. While there can be psychological trauma associated with contracting the disease, the most common affects of Genital Herpes are painful sores on the genital and rectal areas which recur over time. Like Syphilis, the best way to avoid Genital Herpes is to avoid sexual contact with infected persons, but the use of condoms has also been demonstrated to reduce the risk of infection.