According to infoplease.com/sexuallytransmitteddiseases. Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), formerly referred to as “venereal diseases,” are among the most common infectious diseases in the world. Amazingly, an estimated 333 million new cases of curable sexually transmitted diseases occur each year among adults. The United States has the highest rate of STDs in the industrialized world, exceeding other nations by 50 to 100 times. These diseases exert a high emotional toll on afflicted individuals, as well as an economic burden on our healthcare system. More than 20 STDs including chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, genital warts, genital herpes, and viral hepatitis have now been identified as affecting men and women of all backgrounds and economic levels.
STD’s and other communicable diseases have been with us since ancient times and they remain a major worldwide health problem. Communicable infectious diseases such as STD pose a threat to the health of both individuals and communities. STD cause numerous physical, emotional and social problems. Undetected and untreated STD can produce serious long-term complications that affect an individual’s physical and emotional health. In order for the U.S. to reduce the 333 million cases. We need to increase each person knowledge of STD, encourage individuals to make appropriate personal decisions to avoid or reduce the spread of STD, provide adequate diagnosis and treatment of STD, and improve comprehensive education programs, resources and service to communities.
STD are a group of diseases transmitted through sexual contact, including sexual intercourse and/or intimate contact with the genitals, mouth and/or rectum. Some STD are also transmitted through blood. Here are some common STD’s that are caused by different categories. (Caused by bacteria)-Bacterial vaginosis, Gonorrhea, Non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU), Chlamydia, Mucopurulent cervicitis (MPC), and Syphilis. (Caused by viruses)-Genital herpes, HIV infection, Genital warts, Hepatitis B. (Caused by fungi)-Yeast. (Caused by protozoa)-Trichomoniasis. (Caused by parasites)-Crabs and Scabies. These STD’s result from microorganisms or germs that invade the body. They grow and reproduce in susceptible tissue (mucous membrane) where the conditions are warm, moist and dark or in the blood system.
However, symptoms and signs of a STD in both females and males may include: redness, swelling and/or discharge from the infected area, a burning sensation, itching, sores, ratches and bumps. Both male and female may be asymptomatic, meaning they have no meaning. If an individual is asymptomatic, they are still infectious and capable of transmitting the STD. Females might have an abnormal vaginal discharge and lower abdominal pain. Males might have an urethral discharge and pain in their testicles. Some complications of STD’s result in transmission to a sex partner, female infertility, pelvic inflammatory disease or chronic pelvic pain, tubal pregnancies, male infertility and reduced sperm count, arthritis, and psychological problems such as anxiety, depression, anger, fear and embarrassment.
Everyone, young or old, rich or poor, sexually active or not, needs to know why it’s important to know about sexually transmitted diseases. It’s particularly important because, if you’re a parent, you’re going to/you’re spending time throughout your children or children’s lives