STD Testing Info

A woman gives birth to a child and therefore she is considered to be the originator of life. She is responsible for providing a healthy living and her general health as well as women health reproductive is of prime importance. A rise in number of women death rate because of STD (sexually transmitted diseases) and unintended pregnancies can’t be overlooked. It is important that she goes through safe motherhood while bearing a child or even when she contributes to other normal duties of life.

For this it is important to know that what Women reproductive health is. What factors should be considered by a woman for her sexual health? Are methods such as contraception, sterilization enough to avoid any health hazards to her health?

Women Sexual Health – What health activities to be incorporated?
Contraception is way to prevent pregnancy even after a sexual intercourse. Pills, barrier methods such as female condoms, using intra-uterine contraceptive device (IUCD), a plastic or copper device fitted in the womb of a women are some of the common methods to avoid unintended pregnancies.

Health Hazards- Infertility: Infertility is the disability of a woman where she is unable to conceive even after performing sexual intercourse. It happens when she has abnormal menstrual cycles, Feels pain while sexual intercourse or has passed through a chronic illness or miscarriage.

Other Diseases: Chlamydia, Endometriosis is some diseases that cause inflammation or burning sensation in cervix and other fertility and reproduction related problems. Sometimes these diseases cause internal bleeding and injury.

Methods such as contraception, sterilization are taken for safety from sexually transmitted diseases and hazards but one should always be careful that having unsafe sex with more partners would lead to any of the deadly diseases.

Treatments- Infertility could be treated by way of Donor In-Vitro Fertilization whereby eggs from a female donor are fertilized in a laboratory with a male sperm and then transplanted into recipient’s uterus. Other forms are medication through birth control pills and other fertility drugs. Ovulation Induction uses fertility drugs with the help of artificial insemination to stimulate development of egg.

What is Hepatitis A – Hepatitis B – Hepatitis C:

Hepatitis A – An inflammatory viral disease of the liver with a short incubation period. Hepatitis A may be transmitted by eating contaminated food, by fecal-oral contact, and/or through household contact. Hepatitis A may be mild to severe; symptoms include fever, nausea, and jaundice.

Hepatitis B -  Formerly called serum hepatitis, it is caused by the hepatitis B virus. About 12% of cases progress to chronic hepatitis. It is spread through shared needles, through sexual contact with infected individuals, through exposure to infected body fluids, and from mother to child. Common symptoms include abdominal pain, fatigue, fever, jaundice, and elevated liver enzymes.

Hepatitis C – is a life-threatening, disease of the liver, which is transmitted by exposure to blood. A particularly dangerous form of viral hepatitis, it is caused by an RNA virus. Hepatitis C can lead to serious, permanent liver damage, and in many cases, death. More than 82 percent of those who are infected will progress to chronic liver disease. It is suspected that there are, at present, more than 4.5 million people in the United States that are infected with hepatitis C, and more than 200 million around the world.

What causes Hepatitis A – Hepatitis B – Hepatitis C:

Hepatitis A – is caused by a virus. The virus that causes hepatitis A is called the hepatitis A virus. Hepatitis A is spread by close personal contact with someone else who has the infection. You can also get hepatitis A by: Eating food that has been prepared by someone with hepatitis A, or by drinking water that has been contaminated by hepatitis A.

Hepatitis B – is easily spread by direct contact with the blood or body fluids of an infected person. For example, hepatitis B can be transmitted from an infected mother to her baby at birth, through unprotected sex with an infected person, by sharing needles for injecting street drugs, and by occupational contact with blood in a health-care setting. Hepatitis B is not spread through food or water or by casual contact. People can have hepatitis B and spread the disease without knowing it. Sometimes, people who are infected with hepatitis B virus never recover fully from the infection. They carry the virus and can infect others for the rest of their lives.

Hepatitis C – is one of the viruses that causes hepatitis, or inflammation of the liver. It is spread predominantly by contact with infected blood and much less from other body fluids. Risk factors for having Hepatitis C include those who have used shared needles, and those that have received a blood transfusion prior to 1991, and those who have been tattooed.

Hepatitis A – Hepatitis B – Hepatitis C – Symptoms:

Hepatitis A – A lot of people with Hepatitis A show no symptoms at all, or they go unnoticed because the symptoms are so mild. Older people are more likely to have symptoms than children. People who do not have symptoms can still spread the Hepatitis A virus. Symptoms of hepatitis A usually develop between 2 and 7 weeks after infection. The most common symptoms to appear are the following: Nausea or vomiting, Diarrhea, Fever, Rash, Fatigue, Jaundice, Dark Urine.

Hepatitis B – Like Hepatitis A, some people show no symptoms when they are infected with hepatitis B, or the symptoms may be very mild and flu-like. Any symptoms that can appear may include: Jaundice, Fever and tiredness, Diarrhea, Stomach pains, nausea and vomiting.

Hepatitis C – Again like with Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B, folks with Hepatitis C may show no symptoms either, but when they do, they will probably include any of the following: Mild fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Later symptoms may include dark coffee-colored rather than dark yellow urine, clay-colored stools, abdominal pain, and jaundice.

Hepatitis A – Hepatitis B – Hepatitis C – Treatment:

Hepatitis A – There is no specific treatment for Hepatitis A. Rest is recommended during the worse phase of the disease when the symptoms are most severe. People with acute hepatitis should avoid alcohol and any substances that are toxic to the liver, including acetominophen. Fatty foods may cause vomiting because secretions from the liver are needed to digest fats. Fatty foods are best avoided during the acute phase.

Hepatitis B – Acute hepatitis B usually goes away by itself and does not require medical treatment. If very severe, symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhea may require treatment to restore fluids and electrolytes. There are no medications that can prevent acute hepatitis B from becoming chronic.

Hepatitis C – Initial treatment of Hepatitis C will depend on whether the infection is in an early stage or whether it has progressed. Treatment of short-term (acute) hepatitis: Acute Hepatitis C may not be treated because symptoms are usually mild or absent, and hepatitis C is therefore often not diagnosed. By the time Hepatitis C is detected in most people, it has already progressed to long-term infection. However, when acute hepatitis C is identified and treated with medications, the development of progressive or chronic infection may be prevented.

Hepatitis A – Hepatitis B – Hepatitis C – Prevention:

Hepatitis A – Transmission of the virus can be reduced by avoiding unclean food and water, thorough hand washing after using the restroom, and thorough cleansing if there is any contact with an affected person’s blood, feces, or any other bodily fluid. Daycare facilities and other institutions involving close contact with people may be more susceptible to rapid transmission of Hepatitis A. Thorough hand washing and good hygenic practices before and after each diaper change, before serving food, and after using the restroom can help prevent institutional outbreaks.

Hepatitis B – Screening of all donated blood has reduced the likelihood of contracting hepatitis B from a blood transfusion. As an initial screen, blood donors are now required to fill out a questionnaire about their sexual and drug use activities. The blood of those who are in high-risk groups is not used. Also, serologic tests are used to screen collected blood for the hepatitis B virus. Mandatory reporting of the disease allows state health care workers to track people who have been exposed and to immunize contacts that have not yet developed the disease. Formerly, hepatitis B vaccine was made from human blood products, so it was not received well by the public. Sexual contact with a person who has acute or chronic hepatitis B should be avoided.

Hepatitis C – Is spread primarily by direct contact with human blood. Transmission through blood transfusions that are not screened for HCV infection, through the reuse of inadequately sterilized needles, syringes or other medical equipment, or through needle-sharing among drug-users, is well documented. Sexual and perinatal transmission may also occur, although less frequently. Other modes of transmission such as social, cultural, and behavioural practices such as body piercing and tattooing, can occur if inadequately sterilized equipment is used. High risk groups include injecting drug users, recipients of unscreened blood, haemophiliacs, dialysis patients and persons with multiple sex partners.

Ring worm
Ring worms are a contagious fungus infection of the skin or scalp or nails and not a worm infection. They are also called “Tinea”. It is a reddish to brownish and elevated region of the skin that has a lighter color at the center and hence looks similar to a ring. The fungi can inhabit dead tissues on the skin and structures like hair or nails, that grow from the skin. Ring worms affect the skin, fingers, toe nails and feet. The fungi feed on keratin which is found in the skin, hair and nails. They prosper when the skin is moist, hot and hidden from light. The most common fungi are Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Microsporum canis. When this infection is found in the groin, it is called “jock itch”. If it exists on the feet, it is called “athlete’s foot”. Nearly, 20% of the population is affected by this disease.

Ring worm symptoms

    * Patches appear over the skin that are red, elevated, itchy and scaly. The patches are lighter at the center. These may blister and ooze.
    * Bald patches appear on the scalp or in the beard.
    * Nails become discolored, thick and may crumble.

Ring worm causes
Ring worm occurs when fungus grows and multiplies on the skin, scalp and nails. This fungus flourishes in warm and moist conditions. So, when there is continuous wetness eg. sweating or minor injuries to the skin, scalp or nails, the possibility of ring worm increases. It is passed from one person to other by direct skin-to-skin contact or contact of contaminated items like combs, shower or pool surfaces or unwashed clothing. Pets like cats and dogs are the carriers of this fungus and contact with these may also lead to ring worm. After getting exposed to the fungi, it is found that some people are more susceptible to ring worm than others. If the individual has eczema or other skin problems, the protective barrier of the skin’s outer layer is less intact and they are more prone to ring worm. Some persons are congenitally more susceptible and can get ring worm throughout their life.

Ring worm treatment
Topical anti-fungal creams like miconazole (Tinactin) or clotrimazole (Lotrimin) are available without any prescription. They have to be applied to the affected area minimum twice a day for several weeks to get rid of ring worm. After the symptoms vanish, treatment must be continued for one week. Only then complete eradication can be guaranteed.

In case of ring worm in the nails or the scalp, the prolonged application of oral anti-fungal medicine is essential. As scalp ring worm is majorly responsible for hair loss, it must be treated aggressively.

If there are only one or two lesions, any of the following medications are prescribed:

    * Imidazoles – ketoconazole, econazole, oxiconazole, sulconazole, clotrimazole, miconazole
    * Substituted pyridines – ciclopirox olamine
    * Naphthiomates – tolnaftate
    * Allylamines – naftifine, terbinafine

For relief from itching, a topical corticosteroid is used. This should never be used as the only treatment. Ring worm treatment of Deep abscesses or severely infected regions involves surgical drainage.

For people having weak immune system or those infections not cleared with a topical medicine or extensive infections, anti-fungal medication in the form of pills is prescribed. Some examples are fluconazole, itraconazole, terbinafine, griseofulvin and ketoconazole. New ring worm infections that are resistant to oral griseofulvin are treated with oral itraconazole or terbinafine. Oral medications have side effects like rash, abnormal liver functioning and gastrointestinal upset. Use of antacid therapy for ulcer disease or gastroesophageal reflux disease interferes with the absorption of the oral medications of treating ring worm. The oral medications modify the efficiency of warfarin which is an anticoagulant drug that reduces the clotting ability of the blood.

People with STDs may have symptoms that can be seen, but many people do not exhibit any symptom at all, and it can take months or even years for them to come face to face with this unpleasant truth. If one is sexually active, it is vitally important to practice safer sex each and every time one is intimate. Going for STD testing when you decide to become intimate with someone new is also imperative to staying sexually healthy.

Testing for sexually transmitted infections is available in the Health Center as well as the Women’s Center. The term currently considered most correct to refer to these infections is STI’s, however the most common usage continues to be STD’s, or sexually transmitted diseases.

An STD test is a medical test for the presence of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD). I would like to stress on one very important fact at the very beginning, which is that no STD test is 100% accurate. Some STDs do not appear right away. The infection can take anywhere between a couple of days and a few years to show up.

It is also important to know that not all doctors perform the same tests for STD and hence it becomes vital to know what to ask for and the limitations of STD testing.

Gonorrhea and chlamydia screening is done either through a urine test or through a swab inside the penis of the men or from the cervix of a women. The swab test requires collection using a special small q-tip. Women must have a pelvic exam with a q-tip used to collect mucus from the cervix. This exam is occasionally uncomfortable. Specimens are collected from men by inserting the q-tip up inside the urethra, which is the opening where urine comes out. This is usually painful for men, but takes just a few seconds. Tests for syphilis is performed via a blood test or a swab from the genital pores. People in the late stages of syphilis infection need to have the Cerebrospinal Fluid Test performed. For this test, a sample of your spinal fluid will be collected and assessed to determine the extent of your infection. Washing the infected area with prescription shampoos treats Crabs. Tests for HIV and AIDS are performed by blood test, which is also known as the ELISA test. If the results of this test is positive, then a second test called the Western Blot is performed which will confirm if the someone is truly HIV positive. This is done as in some cases; several diseases like syphilis or lupus may cause the ELISA test to return a positive result.

Apart from the tests mentioned above which are performed when you show symptoms of STD or suspect something wrong, it is important to undergo routine tests to rule out the presence of STDs. It is recommended that the women undergo a Pap smear test annually, which is a simple procedure that collects cells from the cervix to test for cancer and pre-cancerous changes. Routine work for men is not recommended unless they have sex with other men. In such cases, the men should undergo tests for HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia annually.

In the case of women, if pregnant, please inform the doctor before hand, as the course of treatment that is to be followed will be different.

Alarming statistics show that ignorance and carelessness are prime reason for STDs, its essential to inform and educate the younger generation that using condoms correctly will reduce the risk of infection. Central role of STD prevention is vital in improving health among women and infants and in promoting HIV prevention.

Here, we can conclude that that while some STDs can be completely treated and cured, other STDs cannot be cured; their symptoms can only be managed. Prevention is better than cure and hence it is imperative to practice safe sex and get your testing done today!

With the bolstering technological improvements and breakthrough, anything beyond your imagination becomes possible. Entering the outer space, getting through the ocean, searching volcanoes and mountains—are inexplicable wonders of human prowess. Same goes with the invention of machines, robots, androids, to name a few, all of them have replaced human intervention in labor-extensive works and have continuously altered human mind and power. All of these modern advancements prove that nothing is impossible; the wonders of science and technology that befall to man will incessantly sweep the grounds to reality.

Human cloning has been a catchphrase for years and aroused worldwide interest for its scientific and ethical implications. Imagine, if someone dearest to you died, you could just consult some scientists to clone that person and make him/her alive again. You could have also cloned yourself so that someone will do homework for you while you are enjoying a night out with friends. Renowned personalities like Marilyn Monroe, Princess Diana, and even Adolf Hitler could have been alive with the help of this technology. Historical people like Queen Nefertiti, Egyptian emperors, or Roman cavaliers could also be brought back to life with all of this wonderful human mind.

If cloning is meant to duplicate human or produce plants and animal; are you aware that the new trend today is the creation of dolls that might replaced men and women for sexual pleasure?

Realistic silicon love dolls have been gaining massive popularity and been invading the cyber space. Thousands of men are spending almost $6,500 or embezzling million dollars for silicone love doll. These dolls are doomed to feed men’s sexual desire and fantasies.

Real love dolls are manufactured and designed as a total replication of humans. You can choose from different body types, size of heads, skin tones, palette of make up, colors of hair, pubic hair style, areola color plus the shipping fee and you can have your own silicone dolls.

You can choose the breast size that you can massage. These dolls would be a more erotic and pleasurable companion in bed because they help you easily reach your orgasm anytime. These dolls can pose at different erotic angles and you’ll be assured that she will be loyal to you. She’ll never cheats, get pregnant, or passes on sexually transmitted disease. And most of all, she never says “no” when you want to have sex.

At any viewpoint you have and cast to these creation, adult love dolls manifest either the intimate or lustful necessities of men. These love doll for sex serve as the companion and relief for men until they reach their orgasm. They become a potential friend to those who are seeking momentary happiness and unexplainable sexual cravings.

Although it is spine-chilling to know that there are a lot of men who are indulged in having or having had sex to these dolls, we have to keep in mind that there are reasons why they are inclined to do it. We can’t find words or adjectives to describe these men—misogynist, pervert, rapist, loser, desperate—they tragically do!! Many of them are simply longing for companions or some are blatantly sexual monster!!!

By: Badeth Abonita

The next time you are surfing the Internet for information regarding sex, you may want to try your hand at one of the many sexuality tests that are available.

A variety of sexuality tests is available to examine your knowledge on many different topics. Some of these topics test your general knowledge of sexuality, as well as allow website visitors to test, examine and explore their own sexuality.

Below you will find numerous websites featuring an assortment of tests, quizzes, and surveys:

· When you visit the Sex Quiz Site at www.sexquizsite.com, you will encounter a collection of sexuality tests gathered from all over the Net.

The list of links includes sexuality tests, such as 100 questions testing your purity, which is quite a popular type of sexuality test.

Other tests deal with lesbianism, sexual positions, levels of foreplay, as well as a sexual color personality test.

These tests are free and meant to entertain. Be aware that this website is not for those who find offence in every little thing.

· The Sexgage website, www.sexgage.com, provides an interesting sexuality test by asking a series of questions that involve the analysis of your hands.

Questions are asked regarding such things like the shape of your fingertips, thumb flexibility, as well as what is the highest part of the palm of your hand.

The test uses palm-reading theory that provides information regarding a person’s sex appeal.

· Purity sexuality tests are popular on the Web, offering an array of options in different categories.

The Definitive Purity Test, found at www.puritytester.com – described as the “ultimate purity” test. Not only will you receive a score for yourself, but also you will be able to compare your answer with all of the other people who have taken the test.

Sample questions on this website include: “have you ever had a date past am, to “have you ever lied about your sexual preference in order to avoid a date?”

· The Gender Purity Test explores some of the gender questions that many people have. This is available at www.helpself.com/purity.

· When visiting the website www.hotspots.com/sex, you will be able to take a sexuality aptitude test, as well as participate in a global sex survey.

This is a chance to discover some of the popular and not-so-popular attitudes towards sex, including dating and relationships.

The results of these tests and surveys are by sex, age, location, and marital status.

Some sexuality tests on the Internet do not test you on your sexual prowess, but help individuals to make important decisions in their life.

There are sexuality tests that test whether or not a teenager is ready to have sex for the first time.

Some sexuality tests also test a person’s knowledge on the STD’s and other sexual health obstacles that a young adult may face.

There is also a sexuality test that will calculate a woman’s chances of getting pregnant by identifying characteristics and behaviours which make them a low-risk or high-risk.

The possibilities are endless when it comes to the type of tests, surveys, and quizzes that are available regarding sexuality.

Vaginal sores are usually a symptom or sign of another problem such as a yeast infection or even genital warts. Sometimes it’s hard to know if you have sores, so you should have yourself seen by a doctor as soon as possible. It might be hard to know, because if you are suffering other symptoms of yeast infections such as itching in and around the vagina, tenderness, soreness, burning sensation during urination and sexual intercourse, pain during urination and intercourse, rash, redness of vagina and vulva; you might not know exactly what’s going on down there, except you are uncomfortable and probably in pain.

Vaginal sores embarrass the hell out of people, maybe because they associate them so sexually transmitted diseases (STD), I don’t know. What I do know is that women should get over the embarrassment and see their doctor as soon as they can. It is potentially dangerous to ignore the symptoms, even life threatening in some cases.

When you see your doctor, in most cases, you will get a pap smear done. Its better able to identify what the underlying problem is as they test for a variety of problems. When getting a pap smear done, a speculum is inserted into the vagina and widened to open it. A specimen brush that looks like a long cotton bud is used to swab the vaginal walls and is sent to testing. Many women are scared of this procedure, they feel its very violating, but its one of the best things you can do for yourself as a woman. When the results come back, you then know why you have vaginal sores, and a course of treatment can then begin.

Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by HSV (herpes simplex viruses). HSV type 2 (HSV-1) is the usual cause of genital herpes. Although, in some cases HSV type 1 (HSV-2) is also found responsible for this disease. Usually HSV-2 is responsible for oral herpes (herpes sores on the lips and in the mouth).

Many people have heard about the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV). But very few people know what causes it. There are several kinds of herpes strains. We will talk about the Genital herpes in this article.

Herpes Simplex Virus 2 (HSV2) is also known as genital herpes because it affects the genital area. Common areas of infection are the cervix, labia, vagina, inner thighs, and anus of female and the shaft of the penis, scrotum, inner thighs and anus for men. As per the recent research approximately 86 million people worldwide are affected by this disease. The main cause of transmission of genital herpes is through sexual contact.

Getting Diagnosed

Think you have genital herpes? See your doctor for testing and treatment right away. Doctors can diagnose genital herpes by looking at visible sores or by taking a sample from the sore for testing in a lab. Blood tests can also be done to detect HSV-1 or HSV-2.Follow your doctor’s advice and finish all the medicine that you are given. It is very important to finish all the medicine even if the symptoms go away.

If you are not affected with genital herpes then abstinence from sex is the surest way to avoid getting genital herpes. The next way is to limit sex to one uninfected partner who only has sex with you. If you have a partner with genital herpes, do not have sex – even with a condom – when he or she is affected with an outbreak.

Cure and Precautions

Unfortunately there is no cure for this disease; the virus will always be in the infected body. Certain drugs such as acyclovir, valacyclovir, and famciclovir can decrease the outbreaks, or stop them from happening. Your doctor can give you proper advice/medicine to cure the outbreaks and stop them from affecting you in future.

Always follow the following steps to stop frequent outcomes of the virus and to stop the transmission to another person.

1. Do not touch the sores with hands or with a cloth, in severe conditions one can use cotton, which can be thrown after use.

2. Wash hands after contact.

3. Clean the infected area and keep it dry.

4. Avoid sexual contact until the herpes are healed.

5. Avoid having any sexual activity while you have any symptoms of an outbreak. Be sure to tell your sexual partners, so they can also be tested. Genital herpes is a life long virus, which cannot be cured, get advice from your doctor in order to prevent the outbreak to happen and to prevent spreading of disease to any other person.

During an outbreak, there are different ways to relieve pain.

- Take warm bath. After bathing, carefully dry affected areas gently with cotton.

- Wear loose cotton clothes.

- Keep the area dry.

- Hold ice packs to the sores a few minutes, several times.

- Take aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen or doctors prescribed medicine to relieve pain and fever.

It is very important for a pregnant woman that the outbreak of the herpes should be treated before giving birth. If the mother is affected by genital herpes while she is pregnant, she is more likely to pass the virus to her baby. If the outbreak is not the first one, the baby’s risk of getting the virus is very low. Babies born with herpes may be premature or may die, or they may have brain damage, severe rashes, or eye problems. Doctors may do a C-section to deliver a baby if the mother has herpes lesions near the birth canal to help prevent passing the virus. Also, acyclovir can help babies born with herpes if they are treated right away. It is not yet known if all genital herpes drugs are safe for pregnant women to take. Herpes is spread through contact with sores and can be dangerous to a newborn while breast-feeding if the sores are on sores on your nipple or areola. Breast-feeding should be stopped until the sores are healed.

Gonorrhea is a curable transmitted infection (STI). It is among the most common transmitted diseases in the world. The term comes from gonórrhoia, literally “flow of seed”; in ancient times it was thought that the pus discharge associated with the disease contained semen. More serious clinical syndromes may follow, with ascending involvement of the reproductive tract or systemic spread. Infection is due to N gonorrhoeae , a highly infectious gram-negative diplococcal organism. It is caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae , a bacterium that can grow and multiply easily in the warm, moist areas of the reproductive tract, including the cervix (opening to the womb), uterus (womb), and fallopian tubes (egg canals) in women, and in the urethra (urine canal) in women and men. Sometimes referred to as the clap, gonorrhea often is characterized by thick discharge. The gonorrhea germs are found in the mucous areas of the body (the throat and rectum). The disease spreads through semen or fluids during unprotected contact with an infected partner.

Gonorrhea is reported more frequently from urban areas than from rural areas. Gonorrhoea among females can also be transmitted from one individual to another via contact to surfaces that may still be damp from prior contact. Disseminated gonococcal infection (DGI) occurs following approximately 1% of genital infections. Patients with DGI may present with symptoms of rash, fever, arthralgias, migratory polyarthritis, septic arthritis, endocarditis, or meningitis. Gonorrhea can be passed even if the or tongue does not go all the way into the or anus. The bacterium can also grow in the mouth, throat, eyes, and anus. It can spread into the uterus and fallopian tubes, resulting in pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID affects more than 1 million women in this country every year and can cause tubal (ectopic) pregnancy and infertility in as many as 10 percent of infected women. When the infection occurs in the genital tract, mouth, or rectum of a child, it is most commonly due to abuse. About three out of four reported cases of gonorrhea in the United States occur in people younger than 30. Treatment for gonorrhea involves a course of antibiotic medications to eliminate the infection. Practicing safe is important in preventing gonorrhea.

Causes of Gonorrhea

The common causes and risk factor’s of Gonorrhea include the following:

    * Bacteria called Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
    * Use of an intrauterine device.
    * It can also be passed from mother to newborn as the baby passes through the infected birth canal.
    * Persons with a new partner.

Symptoms of Gonorrhea

Some sign and symptoms related to Gonorrhea are as follows:

    * Bleeding between menstrual periods.
    * Men infected with gonorrhea will have burning while urinating and a yellowish white discharge.
    * Anal itching.
    * Fever.
    * Soreness.
    * Thick, cloudy or bloody discharge.
    * Frequent urination.

Treatment of Gonorrhea

Here is list of the methods for treating Gonorrhea:

    * Antibiotics are used to cure gonorrhea.
    * Penicillin – once the most useful treatment but now there are resistent strains and other antibiotics are used.
    * Repeat aspiration of purulent joint effusions may improve patient comfort and speed recovery.
    * Patients with gonorrhea should also be treated for chlamydia (unless testing has ruled out chlamydia infection).
    * Contact should be avoided until the patient and all partner(s) have been treated and cured.
    * Pain relief may be needed for patients with epididymitis, PID, and DGI.
    * If you are pregnant or younger than 18, the doctor will usually prescribe the shot instead of a pill.

Diagnostic Hallmarks

Distribution: trunk and extremities, special predilection for the palms, soles, face, and genitalia

White plaques on mucous membranes

Patchy alopecia

Lymphadenopathy

Positive serologic tests for syphilis

Clinical Presentation

The eruption of secondary syphilis is characterized by the presence of numerous non confluent, dome-shaped, red papules 1 to 4 mm in diameter. The amount of scale present is variable. Smaller lesions tend to have little visible scale, whereas larger lesions may be quite scaly. The papules sometimes coalesce to form small annular lesions, but the formation of large plaques almost never occurs. Annular lesions are particularly likely to be found on the face and genitalia.

The papules of secondary syphilis are randomly distributed on the trunk and extremities. In addition, they are regularly found on the face, palms, and soles. In fact, palmar lesions are sufficiently characteristic as to almost always warrant a serologic test for syphilis regardless of the remainder of the clinical picture. Papules that occur on the palms and soles are often larger, firmer, and more brown-red than are those found elsewhere. Itching, when present at all, is not usually troublesome.

Other distinctive lesions of secondary syphilis include white plaques on the mucous membranes and flat-topped, red or white, moist papules (condylomata lata) in intertriginous sites. Patchy alopecia of the scalp and loss of the lateral eyebrows occur in some patients. Lymphadenopathy, fever, and malaise may also be present. A history of an ulcerating primary lesion (chancre) mayor may not be obtainable.

A clinical diagnosis of secondary syphilis must be done either by identification of typical spirochetes on dark-field examination or through serologic testing. The histologic pattern on biopsy is also quite distinctive, and from time to time cases are first identified during examination of a biopsy specimen taken from an otherwise-unrecognized papulosquamous eruption.

Course and Prognosis

The ulcer of primary syphilis (chancre) appears 2 to 3 weeks after exposure to an infected person . It reaches its maximum size of 1 to 2 cm quickly and then remains stable until it undergoes spontaneous resolution 3 to 4 weeks later. The eruption of secondary syphilis begins at about this time, i.e., approximately 6 weeks after original contact. Occasionally, there is a short period of overlap during which both primary and secondary lesions are present. Of course, if the primary lesion occurs in a hidden site, the first apparent evidence of infection will be the secondary eruption. The lesions of secondary syphilis contain motile spirochetes, and thus contagion, particularly from moist lesions, is possible.

Left untreated, the lesions of secondary syphilis remain in place for about 2 months and then gradually undergo spotaneous resolution. Thereafter, over the next 6 to 12, ollilts, recurrent crops of secondary lesions may redevelop.

Secondary syphilis is not simply a cutaneous infection. Systematic involvement in the form of lymphadenopathy, uveitis, hepatitis, or glomerulonephritis is frequently present.

About one-third of the patients with secondary syphilis who go untreated develop tertiary disease. Another one-third remain free of clinical disease but continue to have serologic evidence of activity (latent syphilis). The final one-third appear to undergo spontaneous clinical and serologic cure.

Treatment of patients with primary or secondary syphilis excepting sometimes those with immunodeficiency) effectively halts all clinical progress of the disease. The serologic tests in these patients gradually become negative over a 12- to 36 month period. Unfortunately, little or no permanent immunity is conferred as a result of primary or secondary reinfection, and thus reinfection is quite possible.

Pathogenesis

Syphilis is caused by the spirochete Treponema pallidum. This organism is passed from person to person during close skin-to-skin contact such as occurs during sexual clivity. Spirochetemia results in the subsequent presence or infectious organisms in the mucocutaneous lesions of secondary syphilis. Antibody reaction to infections with T. pallidum is brisk, but this type of immunologic response does not result in resolution of the disease; in fact, reinfection is possible even when antibodies are present. The formation of these antibodies, together with the continued presence of treponemal antigen, results in the development of circulating immune complexes that are Ihen responsible for some of the systemic symptoms and signs of the disease.

Therapy

Penicillin is the treatment of choice for syphilis. Penicillin is only effective during the process of microbial replication, and since T. pallidum replicates rather slowly, serum levels must be maintained for 10 to 20 days. This is most conveniently accomplished through the use of intramuscularly administered benzathine penicillin. The product Bicillin L-A should be specified, since Bicillin C-R contains a 50% mixture of short-acting procaine penicillin.

Some authorities suggest that for primary and secondary syphilis, 2.4 million units be given in a single injection. Most clinicians, however, administer an additional 2.4 million units 1 week later. Tetracycline 2.0 g/day for 15 days can be used for patients allergic to penicillin. After treatment, serologic tests for syphilis should be monitored at 3-month intervals until the titer of antibody has returned to zero. A rising titer following treatment suggests reinfection and the need for retreatment.