Sexually Transmitted Diseases

After the appearance of oral contraceptives and the release of the customs, there was an alarming increase in the incidence of sexually transmitted diseases. This increase was mainly between the 50 and 70 and thereafter stabilized. In 80 years AIDS has emerged, closely linked to the use of injected illicit drugs and sexual promiscuity. Thus, it is very important to know and avoid diseases that can be transmitted by sexual intercourse.

Gonorrhea: It is transmitted by sexual contact and can reach the vagina, rectum, pharynx, urethra and eyes. In the case of the vagina, the infection usually presents few symptoms and therefore the diagnosis is made by observing the sexual partners. In humans, infection is very painful and urethral discharge. It is very important to the diagnosis and treatment of pregnant women, because the disease can cause a very serious infection in the eyes of newborns, the gonococcal oftalmite. Prevention is done with the use of condoms and regular consultations to the gynecologist. Whenever there is an unprotected contact with a partner suspected, consult your doctor.

Trichomoniasis: The Trichomonas vaginalis is a protozoan and can cause disease in man and woman. In women, trichomoniasis is manifested as an abundant discharge, greenish-yellow, foamy and irritation and pain in the vulva and nearby region. There may be pain during intercourse and difficulty urinating. Men usually have no symptoms. The diagnosis is by clinical examination and vaginal secretions. Condoms are effective for prevention.

Genital herpes: It is the infection caused by herpes simplex virus, the same family as the chicken pox virus, which is very contagious and spreads through sexual contact. The disease manifests as a painful lesion that is red, which evolves as small bubbles. The lesions appear 4-7 days after exposure. There is a tendency (80% of cases) the lesions reappeared in moments of stress, depression and more intense sexual activity. There is no treatment. During the period of disease activity is advised abstinence, since condoms do not provide good protection to the partner.

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS): It is transmitted through sex, needle sharing and blood transfusions. Currently blood banks maintain good control of patients, AIDS transmitted by this route has been increasingly rare. The proportion of gay men was much higher than that of other groups affected by the disease in its early descriptions, but today the number of men and women who have acquired the syndrome is almost equal. Once the virus enters the circulation, it grows and reproduces inside a type of defense cell, destroying it, which causes the individual to have so-called opportunistic infections. Prevention is the best weapon against the disease: always use condoms, do not share needles and do not use illicit injectable drugs. To date, there is no definitive treatment against the syndrome, but the survival of patients has increased significantly.

There are other diseases that can be transmitted through sexual intercourse, for example, hepatitis B, lymphogranuloma venereum and granuloma inguinale. Remember that your doctor is the best person to answer your questions. Refer to it whenever necessary.