A sexually transmitted disease (STD) is the last thing you want and disturb the balance of a healthy life. An STD virus can be inside your body without you even knowing it and eventually when you come to know about it, it might be all too late. That is why the maxim 'Prevention is better than cure' is probably well suited when it comes to STDs. There are many types of sexually transmitted diseases prevalent in the UK and elsewhere in the world, the most common ones being HIV/AIDS, genital herpes, chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and hepatitis B.
What is a sexually transmitted disease?
Sexually transmitted diseases, sometimes called sexually transmitted infections (STIs), are infections that are transmitted through sexual activities. Unsafe sexual practices among young people are considered to be one of the main reasons behind STDs.
What is the current picture in the UK?
Chlamydia and genital herpes are the two most common sexually transmitted diseases in the UK. According to the 2009 annual report from the Health Protection Agency, the number of people diagnosed with chlamydia and genital herpes have increased by 71% from 2000. In 2000, 67,173 people were diagnosed with chlamydia. The number increased to 114,686 in 2009. As for herpes, 30,126 cases of first attacks were reported in 2009 as compared to 17,590 similar cases in 2000. The Health Protection Agency report registered 38% increase in new STD diagnoses.
How far is a woman exposed to the risk of STDs? What are the risk factors?
There are some sexually transmitted diseases that pose greater threats to women than men, especially if left untreated. It is advisable to go for STD testing to diagnose the problem early and start proper treatment. Some sexually transmitted diseases can cause inflammation of the fallopian tubes, uterus or ovaries – a condition known as pelvic inflammatory disease. It can can lead to infertility, if not treated. The human papilloma virus (HPV), which causes herpes, is almost always responsible for the high-risk cervical cancer. Even though HPV vaccines can protect against 2 strains of the virus, women should still go for Pap smear screening tests to minimise the risk of cervical cancer.
What about men? How should they prevent STDs?
STD and men is a topic which features routinely in medical seminars and discussions. The fact that men normally take charge on bed often makes them the unwitting 'transferrers' of STD viruses and bacteria. Unprotected sex, such as sex without condom, can increase the chance of transmitting infection to partners. A host of sexually transmitted diseases can affect men, including HIV/AIDS, herpes, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, hepatitis B, and pubic scabies. It is important for men to understand that safe sex practices and personal hygiene can significantly lower the risk of STDs both for them as well as for their female partners.
What are the tests to diagnose STDs?
Getting an STD test done for both partners before marriage is customary in many countries now. If you have a hunch that you have a certain type of sexually transmitted disease, you should go for screening tests to verify your doubts. Diagnostic tests are recommended when symptomatic. If you are pregnant or soon to be pregnant, you can go for an STD test to know whether or not your baby is safe. The main problem with tests is that many STDs can go asymptomatic for a long period of time. So you may not know that you are carrying a virus, which puts your partner at increased risk of infection.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/sexually-transmitted-diseases-a-comprehensive-overview-3401097.html
What is a sexually transmitted disease?
Sexually transmitted diseases, sometimes called sexually transmitted infections (STIs), are infections that are transmitted through sexual activities. Unsafe sexual practices among young people are considered to be one of the main reasons behind STDs.
What is the current picture in the UK?
Chlamydia and genital herpes are the two most common sexually transmitted diseases in the UK. According to the 2009 annual report from the Health Protection Agency, the number of people diagnosed with chlamydia and genital herpes have increased by 71% from 2000. In 2000, 67,173 people were diagnosed with chlamydia. The number increased to 114,686 in 2009. As for herpes, 30,126 cases of first attacks were reported in 2009 as compared to 17,590 similar cases in 2000. The Health Protection Agency report registered 38% increase in new STD diagnoses.
How far is a woman exposed to the risk of STDs? What are the risk factors?
There are some sexually transmitted diseases that pose greater threats to women than men, especially if left untreated. It is advisable to go for STD testing to diagnose the problem early and start proper treatment. Some sexually transmitted diseases can cause inflammation of the fallopian tubes, uterus or ovaries – a condition known as pelvic inflammatory disease. It can can lead to infertility, if not treated. The human papilloma virus (HPV), which causes herpes, is almost always responsible for the high-risk cervical cancer. Even though HPV vaccines can protect against 2 strains of the virus, women should still go for Pap smear screening tests to minimise the risk of cervical cancer.
What about men? How should they prevent STDs?
STD and men is a topic which features routinely in medical seminars and discussions. The fact that men normally take charge on bed often makes them the unwitting 'transferrers' of STD viruses and bacteria. Unprotected sex, such as sex without condom, can increase the chance of transmitting infection to partners. A host of sexually transmitted diseases can affect men, including HIV/AIDS, herpes, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, hepatitis B, and pubic scabies. It is important for men to understand that safe sex practices and personal hygiene can significantly lower the risk of STDs both for them as well as for their female partners.
What are the tests to diagnose STDs?
Getting an STD test done for both partners before marriage is customary in many countries now. If you have a hunch that you have a certain type of sexually transmitted disease, you should go for screening tests to verify your doubts. Diagnostic tests are recommended when symptomatic. If you are pregnant or soon to be pregnant, you can go for an STD test to know whether or not your baby is safe. The main problem with tests is that many STDs can go asymptomatic for a long period of time. So you may not know that you are carrying a virus, which puts your partner at increased risk of infection.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/sexually-transmitted-diseases-a-comprehensive-overview-3401097.html
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