FOR YOUR EYES ONLY

Protect Yourself From Deadly Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD)

2008-11-23T08:32:00.000-08:00

Sexually transmitted diseases (STD), also referred to as venereal diseases (VD), are among the most common infectious diseases in the US, according to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).

More than 13 million men, women, in America are infected each year with sexually transmitted diseases. This number can be drastically reduced, if sexual partners would use condoms, present themselves for regular screening, and undergo adequate treatment after contracting sexually transmitted diseases.

It's appalling that the average person has to be positively diagnosed, prior to acquiring knowledge about sexually transmitted diseases. At this point in time, they most likely would have infected several other innocent people they bump into, socially, casually, and sexually.

You should know the essential facts about STD in order to recognize the symptoms, so you can seek STD treatment immediately, just in case you become infected. Furthermore, learn the methods of treatment, and the many ways sexually transmitted diseases are spread. This would be a crucial step toward prevention. Sexually transmitted diseases will not only devastate your sexual health, but could become fatal if not diagnosed and treated early. Click here for an introduction to sexually transmitted diseases.

Real Facts About STD

Sexually transmitted diseases are usually spread during person-to-person transfer of bodily fluids such as semen, blood, or vaginal secretions.

Sexually transmitted diseases infection is mostly transferred via vaginal intercourse. But STD can also be transmitted through oral sex, anal sex, and from mother-to-baby during childbirth.

Sexually transmitted diseases are conveniently transferable from mother to child during pregnancy. This infectious contamination can result in low birth weight, and endanger the life of the child. Learn how easily sexually transmitted diseases are transferable during pregnancy.

Sexually transmitted diseases weaken the immune system, consequently, a person infected with one STD has a greater risk of acquiring other infections.

Sexually transmitted diseases are relates to cervical cancer in women. The human papillomavirus infection (HPV) causes genital warts and cervical cancer. Learn how easily sexually transmitted diseases are transferable during pregnancy.

Certain types of STD can spread to the uterus and fallopian tubes, and cause pelvis inflammatory disease (PID). This is the primary reason for infertility and ectopic pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancy sometime results in death to the mother. Click here for more on HPV infection.

Sexually transmitted diseases are more common than HIV; but having a STD makes it far easier to contract HIV through body contact, especially if they are open soars on the skin. Click here to learn more about STD and HIV connection.

STD Infections

Bacteria, virus, parasites, and fungi cause STD infections. The transmission of these infections occurs primarily through sexual contact, even though some infections do spread by simply touching, or wearing someone's infected clothing.

The effects are not restricted to penal and vaginal areas, but can also involve palms, bottom of feet, scalp, and eyebrows. Bacterial infections are curable, but can become fatal if allowed to go untreated.

Viral infections, on the other hand, are not curable. The symptoms will subside, but the virus resides in the body for the rest of your life. Consequently, the infection will crop up from time to time.

Parasitic and fungal infections present less danger, but are none the less sexually transmitted diseases, and should be treated expeditiously. The infected areas of the skin undergo allergic reactions to bites of the parasites. While fungal infection is an overgrowth of a natural occurring fungus in the vagina that has been corrupted.

STD Symptoms

People with sexually transmitted diseases are often asymptomatic (manifest no symptoms) most of the time, and for this reason, frequent screening is recommended.

Too many people tend to believe, they don't need protection from STD, because there are no visible symptoms. How wrong can they be! Just ask my friend Charlie.

The health problems associated with sexually transmitted diseases are often more severe and more frequent in women than men. This is partly because of the frequency of asymptomatic infection in women. Therefore women tend to seek health care only when serious health problems occur.

If symptoms do develop, they can sometimes be confused with those of other diseases not related to sexually transmitted diseases. People with no symptoms, who are infected, can pass the disease to their sex partners.

Click here for list of STD symptoms.
See what std symptoms look like.

STD Treatment

CDC STD guidelines are based primarily on prevention and control, with its primary focus on treatment, as a means of controlling the spread of Sexually transmitted diseases.

Most sexually transmitted diseases can be treated with a regiment of antibiotics to eliminate the infection, and reduce the spread of the disease. So the sooner you seek treatment, and inform your sex partners about the disease, so that they can also seek treatment, the likelihood of the disease spreading to others would be drastically reduced.

The origin of STD is either bacterial, viral, parasitic and fungal. Most types of STD are curable except those caused by virus. Although bacterial infections are curable, they can prove to be fatal if not treated within a reasonable timeframe.

Bacterial STD Infections

Bacterial STD infection passes from one person to another during oral, anal or vaginal intercourse. Areas infected are throat, anus, urethra and vagina.

Bacterial sexually transmitted diseases include gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia and chancroid.

Following are the most common types of STD infections, and the STD treatments associated with them…

Gonorrhea

In men, this bacterial infection is recognized by discharge from the head of the penis or anus, accompanied with pain, itching at the head of the penis, and painful urination.Women will notice discharge from the vagina, unusual vaginal bleeding, painful urination, and occasionally experience lower abdominal pain during sex.

Gonorrhea infection in the throat may show no symptoms, except for a mere soar throat. Some symptoms may disappear after a few days without treatment, but the infection remains alive and kicking.

Chlamydia

It's the most common bacterial infection affecting both men and women taday. Chlamydia is contracted during vaginal, oral or anal sex. It can also spread by touching vaginal and penal fluids.

Symptoms include penal and vaginal pain, itching, discharge from anus or vagina, and painful urination.

Chlamydia is sometime referred to as the silent epidemic because most infected people show no symptoms.

Syphilis

Syphilis like gonorrhea is spread during vaginal, oral and anal sex. The disease goes through four stages…

Incubation stage… no symptoms may appear for more than 90 days.

Primary stage… Painless soars or ulcers usually appear on the penis, and around the vagina. Soars may also occur around the mouth, anus, or on the hands. Lymph nodes may enlarge about two weeks after the appearance of lesions.

Secondary stage… Symptoms appear about six weeks after primary lesions, primarily in the form of abrasion of the skin and mucous membrane. Eruptions of the skin in the form of reddish-brown copper tone spots, disfigure the skin for a week or two, and could possibly reoccur at a later date. Headaches, fever, and fatigue may be prevalent. Here is more information on bacterial STD.

Bacterial Vaginosis

Bacterial vaginosis, once known as nonspecific vaginitis, is the primary cause of vaginal inflammation. Nonspecific vaginitis was the term used to describe any type of vaginitis in which no etiological agent could be identified. Today it is known that the majority of cases are caused by either Gardnerella vaginitis or Trichomonas vaginitis.

Bacterial Vaginosis is not always transmitted sexually. It has a lot to do with douching, using intrauterine devices for contraception, and fooling around with new sex partners. This behavior causes the dominant bacterial flora of the vagina to become corrupt, permitting the overrun of other bacteria such as Gardnerella Vaginalis and Trichomonas Vaginalis.

Symptoms include a gray-whitish vaginal discharge, which could be foamy or watery. There is also that fishy odor, accompanied with burning urination, and itching of the vulva Click here for more on bacterial vaginosis.

Bacterial STD Treatment

Gonorrhea, syphilis and chlamydia are curable with antibiotic injections, usually Penicillin to destroy the bacteria. But in recent years some strains of the bacteria has become resistant to Penicillin.

Hence new antibiotics or a combination of medications have emerged as the most effective treatment for bacterial infections, especially the case of gonorrhea.

Bacterial vaginosis can be treated with oral antibiotics such as Metronidazole or Flagyl®, or Clindamycin vaginal creams. If you are taking these medications do not drink alcohol. The combination of alcohol and these drugs can cause nausea and vomiting.

Bacterial vaginosis can spread upwards to the uterus and fallopian tubes, causing more serious problems. So avoid having sex until the bacteria is controlled.

During treatment avoid having sex until you are completely cured. Persuade your sex partner(s) to be tested, and avoid sex for the duration of the treatment period. Bacterial STD can be avoided by using condoms.

Viral STD Infections

Viral infections pass from one person to another by skin-to-skin contact during intercourse. The virus lives on the skin of the vagina, penis, and anus.

Herpes, hepatitis, genital warts, and aids are cause by viruses.

Some Viral sexually transmitted diseases {aids, hepatitis B and C, human papilloma virus (HPV)} are link to cancer, making them fatal sexually transmitted diseases if left untreated.

Condoms will only lessen the risk of getting the lesions on the penis. But since the lesions can also be found around the areas of the vagina, penis or anus, touching alone can cause the warts to spread.

There is no cure for the virus, so you should check yourself regularly for warts. If warts appear on the skin, you should avoid sexual contact.

Genital Herpes

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is the source of the herpes infection. There are two types of HSV infections… HSV-I gives rise to fever blisters or cold sores on the mouth, while HSV-II gives birth to sores on the genitals.

Herpes sores disappear after two to three weeks, but the virus remains in the body for life. The lesions will reoccur from time to time.

Herpes symptoms, tickly or itchy sensations, in the genital area may be a sign of an outbreak of sores or lesions. Click here to learn more about herpes.

Genital Warts

Genital warts, also known as condyloma, are caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). The virus is very easily transmitted during a sexual encounter, since it lives on the skin.

Warts may appear on the penis, around the vagina, on the cervix, and around the inside of the rectum. Genital warts first appear like small hard painless bumps. If untreated, they will grow into fleshy verrucas emitting offensive odor. Learn what to expect from genital warts. Learn what to expect from genital warts.

Viral STD Treatment

Genital herpes virus is treated with several existing antiviral drugs that are obtainable by prescription. These drugs will control the symptoms, but the virus stays with you for life. There is no cure for viral infections.

Best herpes treatments is a website filled with great information, tips and advice on medical, natural and herbal treatments for cold sores, oral and genital herpes. Find the best herpes treatments for you here.

Genital warts can be treated by several different methods: topical creams, burning, freezing, laser treatment or surgery. If the warts return, interferon injections should be the preferred treatment. Very large warts should be removed surgically. Click here for viral STD treatment.

Parasitic STD Infestation

The little vermins can spread by skin-to-skin contact. They can also spread by sharing clothing, towels and bed linen. They prefer to reside in the pubic area, but may also inhabit facial and armpit hair, eyebrows, or eyelashes.

Pubic lice, Scabies, and trichomonas, are categorized as parasitic diseases…

Pubic Lice

The primary symptom of pubic lice, often referred to as crabs, is itching. The itch occurs within four to five days after becoming infested. Itching is an allergic reaction to the bites of the parasites.

Scabies

Scabies are mites, which burrow under the skin. They can be found on any part of the body, but prefer moist folds in the genital area, and the webbing between the fingers and toes.

The primary symptom, itching, which occurs four weeks after exposure, is cause by allergic reaction to the bites.

Parasitic STD Treatment

Public lice are treated with topical medications such as Lindane, or orally with Ivermectin. Use a fine-tooth comb to remove the lice eggs from hair, and wash clothes, bedding and towels in hot water and disinfectant. To relieve itching, use an anti-itch cream.

Scabies are treated in the same manner as public lice. Use Lindane or Ivermectin medications to get rid of the mites. Wash all clothing, bedding and towels in hot water. Lindane is highly toxic and should not be use by pregnant women nor children under three years old.

Learn more about this STD symptoms and STD treatment for scabies.
Go here for STD symptoms and treatment info on pubic lice.

Fungi STD Infection

Yeast Infections

Yeast infection (candidiasis) is cause by the overgrowth of the Candida albicans fungus.Candida albicans happens normally in the vagina. But its overgrowth of the vagina and vulva makes the fungus easier to spread; and sexual activity provides the medium.

Symptoms include thick white lumpy discharge with a yeast odor, pain, itching and swelling of the vulva, painful urination, and painful intercourse. Here is additional info on yeast infections.

Fungal STD Treatment

Yeast infection (candidiasis) is treated with anti-fungal creams, either topically or intravaginally. Monistat, Mycelex, and Diflucan are preferred medications. For persistent yeast infections, Nizoral is the medication of choice. Click here for more info on treatment for yeast infection.

STD Prevention

With the latest advancement in condom technology, the Latex Condom, use correctly, has proven to be the safest way to prevent Sexually transmitted diseases. Condom manufacturers have designed a variety of styles and features to meet the needs and pleasures of all users.

Lambskin condoms are too porous, hence useless against the STD infection. Polyurethane and other synthetic condoms make a good substitute for those who have latex allergies. Click to learn more about latex condoms and STD.

The best way to prevent STD is to avoid sexual contact. If you must make sexual contact, here are some things you should know…

* Always use a latex condom.

* Use clean needles to inject intravenous drugs.

* Have a monogamous (one partner) relationship.

* If you never had a sexual relationship, don't be anxious to do so.

Once you become sexually active, here are a few thing you should know to reduce risk of contracting, or transmitting STD…

* Learn the symptoms of STDS, and seek medical help if symptoms appear.

* See your doctor for regular checkups – symptoms or no symptoms.

* Avoid anal intercourse. Use a condom if you must.

* Avoid sexual intercourse during menstruation.

* No douching, since douching washes away protective bacteria from the vagina.

Positive STD Diagnosis

If you are diagnosed as having a sexually transmitted diseases, you should immediately…

* Seek treatment.

* Inform ALL sex partners, and advise them to seek treatment.

* Avoid ALL sexual activity.

* Complete the full course of prescribed medication.

Gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, chancroid, herpes, hepatitis, genital warts are more common that HIV. But there are, without any doubt, sexually transmitted diseases that would increase the risk of the transmission of HIV.

You should learn the basics about sexually transmitted diseases, and the use of condoms to minimize the risk of getting and spreading these diseases to others. Knowledge, honesty, and openness with sex partners, health care providers, can go a long way to prevent the incidence and complications of sexually transmitted diseases. Learn proper condom use to prevent transmission of STD.

If you have any questions about sexually transmitted diseases, you can call the CDC National STD Hotline toll-free number 1-800-227-8922.

Proper Condom Use
Using them correctly and consistently makes condoms the most effective means of, protection against sexually transmitted diseases, contraception against accidental pregnancies, bar abstinence.

SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES

2008-11-15T01:46:00.000-08:00

1. GONORRHEA

Gonorrhea Gonococcal Infection (clap, drip)

Gonorrhea is:

an infection that is spread through sexual contact with another person
caused by a bacterium, Neisseria gonorrhoeae
second only to Chlamydial infections in the number of reported cases.

The Gonorrhea germs are found in the mucous areas of the body:

Genital tract

Penis

Rectum

Throat

Vagina

In women

The opening (cervix) to the womb (uterus) from the birth canal is the first place of infection
The disease can spread into the womb and fallopian tubes, resulting in Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) which can cause infertility in up to 10% of infected women and tubal (ectopic) pregnancy

Risk Groups

Any person who is sexually active can be infected with Gonorrhea
Common among younger people, ages 15-30, who have multiple sex partners
Increases in Gonorrhea have been found among men who have sex with men
Occurs more frequently in urban areas than in rural areas

It is the most common reportable sexually transmitted infection in the United States, with an estimated 800,000 cases of Gonorrhea reported annually

Transmission of Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is spread

Through sexual contact including:

penis to vagina (infection rate for males 30-50%, females 60-90%)

penis to mouth,

penis to rectum

mouth to vagina

From mother to child as the child passes through the birth canal during delivery causing:

eye infections

In children, usually due to sexual abuse it is found in the:

genital tract

mouth

rectum

Other Risk Factors

An infected person can spread the infection to another area of their body by touching the infected area and transferring the excretions

Clothing or wash cloths of infected people can spread the infection

Symptoms of Gonorrhea

In Men:

Creamy or green, pus-like discharge from the penis
Painful urination (burning sensation)
Testicular pain

In Women:

Bleeding between periods
Creamy or green, pus-like or bloody vaginal discharge
Excessive bleeding during menstrual period
Irritation of the vulva
Lower abdominal pain
Painful intercourse
Painful urination (burning sensation)
Rectal infection
Throat infection

Rectal infection:

Constipation
Creamy, pus-like discharge
Itching
Painful bowel movement with blood in feces
Rectal bleeding

Symptoms usually appear 2-7 days after infection in males, but it can sometimes take up to 30 days for symptoms to appear.

Often there are no symptoms at all in:

10-15 % of men
80% of women

People with no symptoms are at risk of developing complications from Gonorrhea and can unknowingly spread the infection.

From the time of infection gonorrhea can be spread and will continue to be spread until properly treated.

Past infection does not make a person immune to gonorrhea and previous infections with Gonorrhea may allow complications to occur more rapidly and increase your risk of getting HIV.

Long term complications

In Men

Epididymitis

an inflammation of the testicles that can cause sterility

In Women

Abscesses

Ectopic pregnancy

a pregnancy outside of the uterus

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

an ascending infection that spreads from the vagina and cervix to the uterus and fallopian tubes, which can lead to sterility

Perihepatitis

an infection around the liver

Sterility

In newborns

Gonorrhea can be transmitted to newborns

2. BACTERIAL VAGINOSIS

When different types of bacteria outnumber the normal bacteria, Lactobacillus, an imbalance is caused in the bacterial organisms that exist in the vagina.

Instead of Lactobacillus bacteria being the most numerous, increased numbers of other organisms are found in the vaginas of women with Bacterial vaginosis (BV) such as:

Bacteroides
Gardnerella vaginalis
Mobiluncus
Mycoplasma hominis

Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is also called:

Gardnerella-associated vaginitis
nonspecific vaginitis

It is one of the most common causes of vaginitis symptoms among women, particularly those who are sexually active, producing painful inflammation of the vagina.

Symptoms

Although more than 50% of women with Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) have no symptoms, when symptoms do occur they include:

excessive, thin gray or white vaginal discharge that sticks to the vaginal walls
fishy or musty, unpleasant vaginal odor, most noticeable after sex
vaginal itching and irritation

Transmission

The risk of acquiring Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) is increased by:

changing sexual partners
douching
using intrauterine devices (IUDs)

The infection can not be spread from person to person by casual contact, such as:
clothing
door knobs
eating utensils
swimming pools
toilet seats

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is made by:

Physical Examination

observation made with the naked eye and nose
undergoing a pelvic examination

Laboratory Tests

A sample of the vaginal discharge is obtained and viewed under the microscope, either stained or in special lighting, to determine:

Absence of lactobacilli
Change in pH of vaginal fluid
Decreased acidity
If the vaginal cells have the classic appearance of 'clue cells', cells from the vaginal lining that are coated with Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) organisms, which appear in Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)
The presence of Gardnerella bacteria to confirm by microscopic examination

As an added confirmation

The sample is mixed with potassium hydroxide and produces a strong fishy odor when the bacteria is present

Treatment

Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) can be difficult to cure using either conventional or alternative treatments.

Conventional Treatment

Although it is uncertain if Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) is sexually transmitted treatment of all sexual partners is essential to prevent re-infection

The usual treatment is antibiotics, taken orally or vaginally, including:

Ampicillin
Ceftriaxone
Clindamycin,
Metronidazole
Tetracycline

Naturopathic Treatment

Abstaining from sexual activity while the bacterial imbalance/infection is healing
Direct applications of local, anti-microbial products
Support the immune system and its ability to fight the infection and balance the vaginal system

Dietary Recommendations

Include in your diet:

flax seed (Linseed) meal and oil
fresh vegetables and fruits
grains
meats, including fish, poultry
plenty of fresh water

Use foods that have been raised without the use of chemical fertilizers or pesticides wherever possible.

Avoid:

alcohol
coffee
fast foods
processed foods
refined flour products (bread, pasta, etc.)
saturated fats from animal products
sugar

Nutritional Supplements

Vitamin C (1,000 mg three times daily with meals)
Zinc (30 mg daily)

Proteolytic enzymes have been shown to increase effectiveness of the medication.

These include:

Bromelain (400mg)
Wobenzme N (5 tablets three times a day away from meals)

Herbal Therapeutics

Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) vaginal suppositories
Goldenseal/Vitamin A vaginal suppository twice daily

Homeopathic Therapeutics

Aspergillus
Candida
Notatum

Other Treatments

Warm sitz baths with tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia)

Vaginal douching using:

Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis)
Oregon Grape Root (Mahonia aqjuifolium)

Prevention

Although it is uncertain if the infection is sexually transmitted, sexually active women appear to suffer from the infection more than other women

Help Factors

Abstain from sex until the infection is cured and all symptoms have ceased
Inform any sex partners so treatment may be undertaken
Limit sexual relationships to a single, uninfected partner
Regular use of condoms may offer protection against the infection

Prognosis

Complications

Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) is thought to be associated with:

ectopic (tubal) pregnancy
infertility (unable to have children)
low birth weight in infants born to infected mothers
pelvic infections
premature birth in infants born to infected mothers

Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) increases the risk of acquiring:

gonorrhea
HIV infection
other STDS

3. PUBIC LICE (CRABS)

History

The most common parasites that infect humans are lice (Pediculosis pubis or pubic lice) and mites (Scabies). Pediculosis pubis, commonly named 'crab lice' or 'crabs' occurs worldwide and dates back to the writings of the ancient Greek philosopher, Aristotle.

Pubic lice (Phthirus pubis, or the crab louse) infests areas of the body where hair grows, especially the groin, and are most common in adolescents and young adults. It has been of epidemic proportions across all age and socio-economic class groups since the 1960s.

An estimated 3 million people with new cases of the infestation are treated each year in the United States.

The most common areas affected are:

abdomen
anus
groin

Cycle

An adult louse gets onto the skin and lays eggs
Eggs hatch 6-10 days later releasing baby lice, called nymphs
They attach their eggs, called nits, to the host's pubic hair
Within 15 days these grow into adults and multiply again
Nymphs and adult lice feed on human blood

Other Facts

A louse lives for about 6 weeks but dies within 24 hours without a blood meal
Female lice lay 2-3 eggs daily which are fastened to shafts of body hair which hatch into nits within a week
The lice attach to hair, appear as tiny white/gray specks, are highly mobile and can crawl several inches in a day

Symptoms

Feeling run down
Inflamed skin and small red or bluish irritations caused by 'crab' lice bites and defecation
Intense itchiness at the infected area, usually more intense at night (begins about 5 days after infestation)
Irritability
Mild fever

Public lice can also infect:

eyebrows
eyelashes
hair
underarm hair

Transmission

These parasites are transmitted by:

an infected parent to children through close contact

intimate contact

sexual contact

Contact with contaminated items, such as:

bedding

clothing

toilet seats

towels

upholstered furniture

Persons engaging in oral sex can be infected in the hair of the:

chest

eyebrows

eyelashes

face

scalp

Risk Factors

Avoid close contact with others if you have scabies or pubic lice
Some people do not itch so do not know they are infested

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is made with the naked eye, a magnifying glass, or under a microscope, from observation of the shape of the louse and/or eggs.

Pubic lice:

look like tiny pale gray crabs
darken in color when swollen with blood
display six legs, four of which are crab-like claws used to grasp the hair of the host

If you think you have been exposed to pubic lice or scabies see your doctor or health practitioner immediately to determine whether or not treatment is required.

4. SYPHILIS
FEMALE INFECTION

MALE INFECTION

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by a bacterium (Treponema pallidum). The initial infection causes an ulcer at the site of infection.

Syphilis, once virtually untreatable, can nowadays be effectively diagnosed and treated with antibiotic therapy.

Early symptoms of syphilis are often very mild, and treatment is often not sought when first infected. Syphilis increases the risk of transmitting and receiving the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Over time, the bacteria moves throughout the body, causing damage to many organs.

Rash caused by Syphilis

The disease is divided into four stages:

Primary
Secondary
Latent
Tertiary (late)

An untreated infected person may infect others during the first 2 stages (1-2 years).

Even though untreated syphilis is not contagious in the late stage serious complications can occur:

blindness
mental disorders
neurological problems
serious heart abnormalities
death

In the fight against the spread of syphilis research is being carried out to find a vaccine and to study the effects the various surface components of the syphilis bacterium have on the immune system.

The genome of the bacterium has now been sequenced which will be invaluable in diagnosing, treating and vaccinating against syphilis.

Back to the Top

Transmission

In an infected person the bacterium spreads from the initial ulcer to the skin or mucous membranes of:

the anus of a sexual partner

the genital area

the mouth

The bacterium can pass through broken skin on parts of the body.

The syphilis bacterium is very fragile and infection is usually spread by

an infected pregnant woman who can pass the bacterium to her unborn baby, which can result in the child being born with serious mental and physical problems

sexual contact

Back to the Top

Symptoms

Primary syphilis

First stage

An ulcer (a chancre ["shan-ker"]) appears within 10 days to 3 months after exposure, but usually within 2-6 weeks
The chancre may be painless and can remain undetected inside the body, so may go unnoticed

The chancre usually appears on the part of the body exposed to the partner’s ulcer, such as:

the anus
the cervix
the lips
the penis
the tongue
the vagina
the vulva
other parts of the body

These usually disappear within a few weeks whether treated or not. If left untreated during the primary stage, about one-third will continue on to chronic stages.

Secondary syphilis

The most common symptoms include:

a rash of flat, red lesions over the whole body (including the palms of the hands and soles of the feet)
fever
swollen glands
broad-based papules (lumps or warts) in warm, moist sites
mucous patches or snail-track ulcers in the mouth, appearing from 3-6 weeks after the chancre develops

Active bacteria are present in the sores, so physical contact (sexual or nonsexual) with the broken skin of an infected person is not recommended as transmission of the disease is possible.

After several weeks or months the rash seems to heal itself.

Other symptoms such as:

fatigue
headache
mild fever
patchy hair loss
sore throat
swollen lymph glands throughout the body

also may occur but will usually disappear without treatment.

The secondary stage of secondary syphilis appears 2-4 months after infection, lasting several weeks and often recurring in the following 2 years and can come and go over the next1-2 years.

Latent stage syphilis

A stage of infection caused by T. pallidum in which organisms persist in the infected person's body without causing symptoms or signs.

Latent syphilis is subdivided into:

Early

initial infection occurring within the previous 12 months

Late

initial infection has occurred greater than 1 year previously)

Unknown categories

based on the duration of infection
no evidence of having acquired the disease within the preceding 12 months

Tertiary (Late) syphilis

A minority (up to 30%) of individuals with untreated syphilis may develop tertiary syphilis with lesions many years after the initial infection.

The lesions can be benign, causing no serious disability, or they may involve the:

brain
eyes
nervous system
joints
spinal cord (neurosyphilis)

as well as

heart and blood vessels (cardiovascular syphilis), producing severe complications resulting in :

blindness
heart disease
mental illness
other neurological problems
death

Some syphilis cases (especially latent or late stages), need to have a lumbar puncture (spinal tap) to check for infection of the nervous system.

Other clinical signs of syphilis (late) include:

Inflammatory lesions of the:

bones
cardiovascular system
skin

Occasionally other areas of the body may be affected such as:

abdominal organs
eyes
lymph nodes
mouth
reproductive organs
upper and lower respiratory tracts

Late syphilis usually becomes apparent after 15-30 years of untreated infection.

Neuro-syphilis

The bacteria often invades the central nervous system during the early stages of infection. Approximately 3-7% of persons with untreated syphilis develop neuro-syphilis.

Some people never develop any symptoms, some experience headache, stiff neck, and fever, resulting from inflammation of the lining of the brain and others develop seizures.

Blood vessels affected by the bacteria can result in symptoms similar to a stroke:

numbness
visual complaints
weakness

It has been known to take up to 20 years to develop neuro-syphilis. Neuro-syphilis is difficult to treat especially for those with HIV infection. Elevated CSF protein or leukocyte count in the absence of other known causes of these abnormalities may occur.

The widespread use of antibiotics makes modern-day syphilis harder to detect as there may be no genital symptoms, or any symptoms of secondary syphilis.

Effects of Syphilis in Pregnant Women

An untreated pregnant woman with active syphilis will pass the infection to her unborn child:

about 25% will have stillbirth or neonatal death
40-70% will have syphilis-infected babies

Hepatitis screening should be done as well. A fetal death taking place after a 20-week gestation or if the fetus weighs more than 500gms with an untreated mother at delivery is classified as a syphilitic stillbirth.

Babies with congenital syphilis can have symptoms at birth, but symptoms can develop two weeks to three months later, including:

anemia
fever
rashes
skin sores*
swollen liver and spleen
various deformities
weak/hoarse crying sounds
yellowish skin (jaundice)

*The moist sores of congenital syphilis are infectious.

When infected infants become older children and teenagers, late-stage syphilis symptoms may occur, including damage to:

bones
brain
eyes
ears
teeth

The rise in infant syphilis morbidity (death) has become a public health concern that warrants attention.

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Diagnosis

Because its early symptoms are similar to many other conditions people who are sexually active should consult a doctor about any unusual rash or sore in the genital area.

Three methods may be used in diagnosis of syphilis:

Blood tests
Microscopic identification of syphilis bacteria
Recognition of the signs and symptoms during normal medical consultation

Bacteria Identification

A surface scraping from the ulcer or chancre is taken and examined under a special 'darkfield' microscope to detect the organism itself.

Accurate clinical diagnosis in the newborn is possible only with positive 'darkfield' findings from skin lesions or placenta, or congenital syphilis classical signs seen on examination.

Cord blood should not be used for infant serologic testing because the high incidence of false positives and false negatives is high.

Blood Tests

Evidence of infection is given. False-negative results which do not show signs of infection despite its presence can appear for up to 3 months after infection. False-positive tests also occur, therefore, two blood tests are normally used.

t is sometimes difficult to interpret blood tests for syphilis so repeated tests are often necessary to confirm the diagnosis.

The blood-screening tests most often used are:

RPR (rapid plasma reagin) test
VDRL (Venereal Disease Research Laboratory) test

False-positive results showing signs of infection when it is not present occur in people with:

autoimmune disorders
certain viral infections
other condition

A confirmatory blood test is carried out when the initial test is positive, such as:

The fluorescent treponemal antibody-absorption (FTA-ABS) test (70-90% accuracy)
T. pallidum hemagglutination assay (TPHA) test

Syphilis antibodies (proteins made by a person's immune system to fight infection) can be detected. These antibodies do not protect against syphilis infection in a previously infected person because once antibodies are formed, they remain in the body for many years.

It is hoped that a diagnostic test that does not require a blood sample can be produced. Tests are being carried out on saliva and urine to see if they produce comparable results to blood.

HAVING SEX FOR THE FIRST TIME

2008-11-13T07:10:00.000-08:00

"I lost my virginity when I was 13 and I still am 13 today. It hurt bad and I was so scared. I knew I couldn't tell anyone except my friend who was there. The worst part of my story is that the guy was 18. This is how my story goes.

"One night I stayed the night at my friend's house. We were talking to these guys I had only known for like a couple of months. They said that they would come and pick us up from her apartment. So we got ready and then they came. I didn't think that anything would happen because I had gone and hung-out with them before at their house. But this time it was different. My whole life was about to change.

"When we got to their house we just hung out and watched T.V. Then I laid on his bed and he jumped on me while my friend and his brother were watching a movie and making out. He started to finger me and then all the sudden I realize I am having sex. I think what made me not say no was because my friend had already had it and I wanted to, but I didn't think it would ever happen in a million years and especially when my friend and his brother were in the room.

"Well me and my friend haven't told anyone and I am too scared to say anything to anyone because I don't want people to think I am a hoe or I am easy or anything. But now I have to live with the guilt of not being able to tell my mom or anyone at that. Me and my mom have talked about sex and I said that I would never do it unless I was like older but I lied to myself and my mom. It made and still makes me feel so bad. I feel like kind of dirty now, but I think eventually I will get over it in time."

FEMALE BREAST

2008-11-13T02:36:00.000-08:00

Breasts are part of the anatomy of both females and males. On the inside, a woman's breast is made up of about 15-25 milk-producing sacs called milk glands, which are connected to milk ducts that converge inside the nipple.

The remainder of the internal breast is composed of fatty tissue and fibrous connective tissues that bind the breast together and give it shape.

On the outside of the breast there are nipples. Nipples, like all other anatomical structures, vary in appearance from woman to woman. They may stick out prominently, they may have a flattened appearance, they may be set a bit deeper in the breast, or they can be inverted.

Each nipple is supplied with many nerve endings, which make it particularly sensitive to touch. There are thin muscle fibers in nipples that enable them to become erect. The darker pigmented area around each nipple is called the areola (plural: areolae).

The size and color of the areolae vary from woman to woman. This area can be seen as an extension of the skin of the nipple onto the breast. It contains many nerve fibers and muscle fibers that help the nipple to stiffen and become erect.

Bumps in the Aerola Normal
It is quite normal to have small bumps in the areola. These bumps are oil-producing glands that secrete a lubricant to make breast feeding easier. During pregnancy, the areolae darken and remain at least somewhat darker after pregnancy.

Women's breasts have three levels of significance: they can feed a baby; they can give erotic pleasure; and they play a large part in shaping a woman's self-image.

In response to sexual stimulation, a woman's breasts may undergo changes. Her nipples typically become erect during sexual excitement. As excitement proceeds, the areolae begin to swell, continuing to the point where the earlier nipple erection may look less pronounced. The veins in the breast often become more visible as a result of the increased blood flowing into them, and, in women who have not breast-fed, there may also be a small increase in breast size.

BEWARE: HIV/AIDS

2008-11-13T01:26:00.000-08:00

HIV/AIDS is an infectious disease. The letters stand for Human Immunodeficiency Virus, which is the name of the organism that causes this disease, and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, which is the name of the set of symptoms that characterize this condition.

AIDS was first recognized as a new disease in 1981, when a number of young gay men in New York and Los Angeles were diagnosed with symptoms not usually seen in individuals with healthy immune systems. This information was reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the branch of the U.S. government that monitors and tries to control disease outbreaks.

Many new cases were soon discovered of what appeared to be a disease associated with the breakdown of the body's immune or natural defense system.

Normally, the immune system, which consists of a wide array of cells that can identify and eliminate invading bacteria, fungus, viruses and other disease-causing pathogens, is able to protect us from harm. One part of the immune response involves the creation of antibodies, which are chemical substances that fight against infectious agents.

HIV/AIDS — "Opportunistic" Infections
If there is damage to our immune system, however, antibodies and other bodily defenses may not be produced and we are subject to many different infectious diseases, including those called "opportunistic infections" that are usually only able to strike when the body's defenses are weakened.

Although the first cases of the disease that came to be called AIDS were among homosexual men, within a few months the same strange set of symptoms was being seen in female patients and hemophiliacs, and before long injection drug users and their non-drug using sex partners and children also were being diagnosed with AIDS. It became clear to the CDC that we were facing a significant new epidemic.

AIDS — A Worldwide Health Threat
Before long, it was recognized that AIDS should be labeled a pandemic because it was not limited to a certain region or country but was truly a worldwide health threat of massive proportions. Since the beginning of the pandemic, several million people around the world have died of AIDS.

Since its discovery, scientists immediately began trying to find the cause of AIDS and to understand how it so severely damages the human immune system. By 1983, French and American teams lead by Dr. Luc Montagnier and Robert Gallo developed a blood test to detect exposure to HIV.

People who have been exposed to the virus, which means that it is in their bodies, are said to be HIV positive, while those who have not been exposed are HIV negative. This is what the standard HIV blood test (or antibody test) reveals. The test tells whether or not your body has begun creating antibodies targeted to fighting HIV. Unfortunately, while the body mounts a strong defense against HIV, it appears that in most cases the body alone cannot successfully defeat the virus.

It is now known that after HIV has entered a person's body, he/she can live for a number of years without having any noticeable symptoms. Individuals in this stage of the disease have HIV infection but not AIDS per se.

AIDS-Related Infections Are Growing
Once an infected individual begins to develop the set of opportunistic infections associated with immune system damage, they are defined medically as having AIDS. In recent years, the number of opportunistic infections known to be associated with AIDS has grown.

Currently, 26 different clinical conditions are used in defining whether or not a person has developed AIDS. Also, as scientists came to recognize how HIV affects the human body, an additional defining feature of AIDS based on the health of the person's immune system was added to a physician's diagnostic guide.

SEXUAL MORALITY

2008-11-12T19:19:00.001-08:00

JENNIFER LOPEZ

There are two factors concerned with the morality of sex and sexual behavior: consent and maturity. Archaic definitions of sexual morality are unnecessarily restrictive, following the “fear the unknown” mantra, and fail to logically address the issue with anything more than circular arguments.

There have been several court cases in the recent past involving two sexual partners with a large difference in age. The fundamentalists were outraged, of course, because this arrangement conflicts with some traditional ideology, but this is completely without logical basis. One of the cases that comes to mind involved a middle-aged female high school teacher and a teenaged male high school student.

In order to assess the moral value of this or any sexual relationship, one need consider only the two distinct aforementioned factors: consent and maturity. If the sexual relationship is consensual, that is, the relationship and all sexual acts included are given full, mutual, and independent consent from all parties involved, then the consent requirement is satisfied. If all parties involved possess a reasonable and relevant level of maturity concerning the relationship and all sexual acts included, the maturity requirement is satisfied.

If both the consent and maturity requirements are satisfied in a given sexual relationship or act, nothing more can be said regarding the sexual morality of that relationship or act. Of course most of the controversy arises when attempting to decide how to ascertain the universal presence of consent and levels of maturity, but that is part of the moral valuation process. I only mean to direct that valuation process in its proper direction, rooted in logic and restricted to the realm it rightly involves.

Among the many considerations this brings to light are some of the criteria by which the morality of a sexual relationship cannot be judged, including gender, age, or number of sexual partners, marital status, social class, skin color, cultural or ethnic background, ideological beliefs, level of education, or monetary assets of any parties involved. This may come as a shock to those with traditional and/or fundamentalist beliefs, but truths based on reason often do.

Sexual acts among homosexual partners aren’t immoral? No, by any logical basis they are absolutely moral between consenting and mature parties. Orgies? Completely moral assuming the requirements are met. Unmarried couples? Sorry, there’s nothing wrong there either. Interracial relations? Of course they’re moral. Interfaith? Likewise. Prostitution? One-hundred percent sexually moral.

Now this brings up a good point. “You’re saying that a married man having sex with a poor prostitute in the middle of a church is moral?” Sexually moral, yes, absolutely. Now, religiously moral? Probably not. Moral with respect to marriage? It depends. The importance lies in the distinction. Sexual morality is concerned with the sole sexual act or acts and the immediate factors of consent and maturity, nothing said about other external circumstances or alternate moral schemes.

“But how is that useful at all? When we speak of ‘morality’, aren’t we just talking about a general societal morality?” You think you are, but it severely clouds the issue at hand and hinders the social systems of justice and protection. Sexual morality is useful because it distinguishes exactly what should be treated and enforced by the law. All alternate moralities, no matter how dear they are held to the heart of whatever member of society, have absolutely no place in the law or the arbitration involved in the decisions involved with lawful justice.

It is absolutely absurd to think that premarital sex, prostitution, fetish sex, or any other type of sexual act should be controlled by the laws of the society. Sexual morality is a “baseline” for the societal interpretation and control of sexual acts, on top of which other personal or cult moralities can be placed by whomever pleases to do so, as long as the additional layers of morality only apply those who subscribe to them.

It’s amazing how much clearer and more concise legal decisions can be when the ridiculous cries of all sorts of fanatics are rightly restricted to their respective fanatical realms. This of course says nothing of my personal morality, as that is a layer I put on top of the core sexual morality; you may do the same. Just don’t start whining when you find out your neighbor Fred likes different layers on his cake.

MARIAH CAREY

SLEEPING DICTIONARY

2008-11-12T18:19:00.000-08:00

JESSICA ALBA - SARAWAK SLEEPING DICTIONARY

WITH HER OUTFIT TWO SARUNG IBAN TRADITIONAL CUSTOMS

JESSICA ALBA
WITH HER 'SLEEPING DICTIONARY' ADOPTED IBAN'S FATHER

INTERNET SEX ADDICTION

2008-11-12T17:14:00.000-08:00

The Internet and Sex Addiction

With the explosion of the Internet, not only has the exchange of information become easier and more convenient, but also has the access to pornographic material. Prior to the Internet, the average Joe was not very vulnerable to purchasing porn. In fact, the average person would probably be embarrased to purchase porn from an adult book store. However, with the anonymity and convenience provided by the Internet, porn is just a click away.

"Explicit X-rated porn that once was available only in sleazy side street shops is as easy to get on a PC as ordering pizza."

In addition to making pornographic images widely available, Internet technology also provides an interactive experience and a realm of virtual intimacy for its users. On-line videos, chat rooms, games, photo-galleries, and virtual reality provide users with several different mediums through which they can obtain and experience porn. While in the privacy of their own homes, users can safely and anonymously "fantasize, flirt, and (virtually) get intimate."

This revolution of Internet pornography has its negative effects. In particular it has contributed to an increasing number of sex addicts. Unsuspecting Internet users fall victim to cybersex obsession. Users find themselves devoting more and more time to cybersex instead of to their families and relationships. According to an MSNBC report, cybersex is a serious growing addiction. Mental health experts warn that this addiction has hazardous side effects. Like any addiction, if excessively used, cybersex can interfere with daily activities and can ruin relationships. People have lost jobs, spouses and money because of their addiction to on-line sex.

"Cyber-sex is the crack cocaine of sexual addiction,"
- Dr. Robert Weiss, director of the Sexual Recovery Institute in Los Angeles

While not everyone who views porn on the net will become a sexual addict (like everyone who drinks alchol doesn’t become an alcoholic), cybersex is dangerous because, "it reinforces and normalizes sexual disorders," says Dr. Weiss. "A man may have had a passing interest in teen-aged girls, but he'd never go into a bookstore or try to buy child pornography. Sitting in his living room he finds a ton of teen sites and thinks maybe it's not such a big problem."

Results from an Sex Addiction Report

In 1998, The San Jose Marital and Sexuality Center and MSNBC.com conducted a sexual addiction survey of Internet users. The researchers found that of the 9,265 users surveyed, almost 80 percent used their home computers for sexual purposes. In addition, one percent of respondents could be classified as cybersex compulsives (used the Internet for sexual purposes for 11 or more hours per week). [4] The following are more results from the survey.

7 of 10 participants in survey keep online sexual activities a secret
1 in 5 men and 1 in 8 women use computers at work to access sexual material
6 times as many men engage in online sexual pursuits as women

In addition, the study suggested that at many as 17 percent of respondents that were not at risk before the Internet may now be vulnerable to sex addiction that interferes with their daily lives. Sexual addiction is a growing problem in our society.

Solutions

According to sex therapists and other health experts the best thing to avoid becoming cybersex addicted is to abstain from surfing the net for porn. However, if you or a friend/family member is a cybersex addict, the best way is to discuss the problem. There are many sex therapists that can offer advice, and even the Internet is an excellent resource through which one can obtain help. Web sites like www.onlinesexaddict.com and groups like Sex Addicts Anonymous help many people overcome their sexual addiction.

SEXUAL ADDICTION TREATMENT

2008-11-12T16:36:00.000-08:00

How is sexual addiction treated?

Most sex addicts live in denial of their addiction, and treating an addiction is dependent on the person accepting and admitting that he or she has a problem. In many cases, it takes a significant event—such as the loss of a job, the break-up of a marriage, an arrest, or health crisis—to force the addict to admit to his or her problem.

Treatment of sexual addiction focuses on controlling the addictive behavior and helping the person develop a healthy sexuality. Treatment includes education about healthy sexuality, individual counseling, and marital and/or family therapy. Support groups and 12 step recovery programs for people with sexual addictions (like Sex Addicts Anonymous) also are available. In some cases, medications used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder may be used to curb the compulsive nature of the sex addiction. These medications include Prozac and Anafranil.

SEXY GIRLS

2008-11-12T03:54:00.001-08:00

Behaviors associated with sexual addiction include:

Compulsive masturbation (self-stimulation)
Multiple affairs (extra-marital affairs)
Multiple or anonymous sexual partners and/or one-night stands
Consistent use of pornography
Unsafe sex
Phone or computer sex (cybersex)
Prostitution or use of prostitutes
Exhibitionism
Obsessive dating through personal ads
Voyeurism (watching others) and/or stalking
Sexual harassment
Molestation/rape

Generally, a person with a sex addiction gains little satisfaction from the sexual activity and forms no emotional bond with his or her sex partners. In addition, the problem of sex addiction often leads to feelings of guilt and shame. A sex addict also feels a lack of control over the behavior, despite negative consequences (financial, health, social, and emotional).

POSTCARD IMAGE COLLECTION

2008-11-11T19:54:00.000-08:00