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Sexually
transmitted infections
By
Jeanne Smith, Contributor
SEXUALLY
TRANSMITTED infections are diseases
that are easily spread through sexual
contact. Millions of people become
infected with these diseases each
year. Sexually transmitted infections
are pathogenic diseases which may
be contracted by any sexually active
individual - ALL sexually active persons
are at risk. The most common of the
20 known STI's are gonorrhoea, syphilis,
herpes, trichomoniasis, chlamydia
and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
(AIDS) caused by the human immunodeficiency
virus (HIV). STIs may not show symptoms
in their early stages and are therefore
easily spread to an unsuspecting partner.
These infections lead to several complications.
GONORRHOEA
Gonorrhoea
is caused by a bacterium called neisseria
gonorrhoea. This bacterium is transmitted
almost exclusively by sexual intercourse,
and may not initially show any signs
of infection. The symptoms of gonorrhoea
normally appear within two to five
days after sexual contact with an
infected partner. In some cases, they
may not develop for two to three weeks.
The symptoms of gonorrhoea include
a pus discharge from the sex organs,
pain during urination, swelling and
inflammation of the urethra, cervix,
anus, rectum, throat, vagina and eyes.
If left untreated, gonorrhoea could
cause in women pelvic inflammatory
disease as a result of the infection
of the internal reproductive organs,
severe abdominal pain and childbearing
problems. In males, gonorrhoea could
lead to sterility, pain in the testes,
difficulty in urination, epidiymitis
(inflamed testicle) prostatits. Gonorrhoea
may lead to blindness (also in babies),
heart and neurological disorders.
SYPHILIS
Syphilis
is caused by a spirochete bacterium
called treponema pallidum. The pathogen
causes painless sores (chancres) pimples
or blisters on the penis, vagina,
anus, lips, or breast and swollen
lymph nodes within two to three weeks
after infection. Six to 12 weeks after
infection, rashes appear over the
body, on hands and feet; there is
continued enlargement of the lymph
nodes, fever, headaches, bone aches
and hair loss (in patches).
If
syphilis is not treated, the symptoms
may disappear altogether or return
irregularly. The pathogen will, however,
remain in the body, resulting in heart
disease, deafness, blindness, paralysis,
brain damage, mental illness and death.
Babies born to infected mothers may
be born prematurely, born dead or
suffer from snuffles, sores, rashes,
deformity, and later other complications
may develop.
*Jeanne
Smith teaches Biology at the Queen's
school. Send your questions and comments
to the CXC Study Guide, the Gleaner
Company Ltd., 7 North Street, Kingston;
or email us at jcampbell@gleanerjm.com
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