| Genital Herpes
Genital herpes is a common sexually transmitted disease.
It is estimated that one in four women and one in five
men are currently infected in the United States. Genital
herpes is caused by the herpes simplex viruses type
1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2) although it is most commonly
caused by HSV-2. Many people have no or minimal signs
or symptoms of the infection. When people do have signs,
they usually appear as one or multiple blisters on
the genitals and or rectum. When the blisters break,
they leave ulcers that may take up to a month to heal
after the initial outbreak. The infection remains in
the body indefinitely and outbreaks often recur although
the number of outbreaks often decreases over a period
of years. There is no cure for genital herpes although
there are preventative steps to take as well as some
options for dealing with the disease if you already
have it..
Chlamydia
Chlamydia is caused by the bacterium, Chlamydia trachomatis.
It is a common sexually transmitted disease and one
that is difficult to detect without a pap smear since
the symptoms are usually mild or absent. Chlamydia
can cause serious, irreversible damage, including infertility,
if it goes untreated. Men with Chlamydia may experience
a discharge from the penis.
Bacterial Vaginosis
Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) is a sexually transmitted
condition in women. IT is caused when the normal balance
of bacteria in the vagina is replaced or disrupted
by the overgrowth of particular bacteria. Women may
experience odor, pain, discharge, burning, or itching.
Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
This bacterium grows in moist areas of the reproductive
tract in women and the urethra in women and men. The
bacterium can grow in any warm moist area so the throat,
mouth, eyes, and anus are also at risk. Gonorrhea
can and should be treated immediately.
Syphilis
Syphilis is caused
by the bacterium Treponema pallidum . The initial
infection manifests as an ulcer at the site of infection.
The bacteria then move throughout the body and over
time can damage many organs. The disease passes through
four stages if left untreated, the primary, secondary,
latent, and tertiary (late) stages. The first two
stages last one to two years and people can pass the
disease to others during this time. In the latter stages,
the disease is not contagious, but it can cause mental
disorders, serious heart abnormalities, neurological
problems, blindness, and death. Syphilis can be treated
with penicillin in the early stages. However, syphilis
imitates other diseases and may go untreated for
a long time. |
