SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES (STDs) and Other BORNE (TRANSMITTED) DISEASES.

• TABLE CONTENT.List of STDs and Their Symptoms.List of STDs & Symptoms - Other infections.STDs during pregnancy.Sexual health.Borne transmitted diseases and treatment 

List of STDs and Their Symptoms

The most common types of STDs in the UK include chlamydia, genital warts,genital herpes, gonorrhoea, (among the treatable ones), but also hepatitis B&C, syphilis and HIV (among the incurable and/or very severe ones).

Then there are also various other STD infections of the urinary tract and the genitals which can cause annoying symptoms but are easy to cure. The sooner your infection is diagnosed, the better are your chances of getting it treated and cured.

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is the most common STD in the UK. It is also easily curable - chlamydia treatment usually consists of a single dose antibiotic. About 50% of men and 70% of women don’t have any symptoms for years (if at all).

When symptoms of chlamydia appear, people often suffer from abnormal vaginal discharge and vaginal bleeding, discharge from the tip of the penis and pain when peeing or during sex.

When left untreated, chlamydia can lead to infertility in women and men. When you’re infected with chlamydia, other STDs may also be present.


What is the treatment for chlamydia?


Chlamydia can be easily cured with antibiotics. HIV-positive persons with chlamydia should receive the same treatment as those who are HIV-negative.

Persons with chlamydia should abstain from sexual activity for 7 days after single dose antibiotics or until completion of a 7-day course of antibiotics, to prevent spreading the infection to partners. It is important to take all of the medication prescribed to cure chlamydia. Medication for chlamydia should not be shared with anyone. Although medication will stop the infection, it will not repair any permanent damage done by the disease. If a person’s symptoms continue for more than a few days after receiving treatment, he or she should return to a health care provider to be reevaluated.

Repeat infection with chlamydia is common. Women whose sex partners have not been appropriately treated are at high risk for re-infection. Having multiple chlamydial infections increases a woman’s risk of serious reproductive health complications, including pelvic inflammatory disease and ectopic pregnancy. Women and men with chlamydia should be retested about three months after treatment of an initial infection, regardless of whether they believe that their sex partners were successfully treated.

Infants infected with chlamydia may develop ophthalmia neonatorum (conjunctivitis) and/or pneumonia. Chlamydial infection in infants can be treated with antibiotics.


Gonorrhoea

Gonorrhoea is often caught alongside chlamydia. About 1 in 3 women infected with gonorrhoea also has chlamydia. The bacteria that cause gonorrhoea need to be inside the human body to survive. For this reason, you can only catch it through sexual activity (and not through contact with objects/swimming etc).

The symptoms of gonorrhoea include the same irregular discharge as the one caused by chlamydia (from the vagina or penis). As with chlamydia, many infected patients won’t develop any symptoms even though the infection can cause damage to women’s reproductive system in the long run.

Men, however, sometimes suffer from infections of the urinary tract and associated symptoms when infected with chlamydia: painful urination and discharge from the penis. If untreated, the bacteria can spread to the rest of the body, often infecting the skin or muscle joints.

Gonorrhea treatment normally involves a course of the antibiotic cefixime.


Gonorrhea - Treatment.

Gonorrhea causes no long-term problems if it is treated early in the course of the infection before any complications develop. Untreated gonorrhea can lead to many complications.

Initial treatment

Gonorrhea is treated with antibiotics. Treatment is recommended for:

A person who has a positive gonorrhea test.Anyone who has had sexual contact in the past 60 days with a person diagnosed with gonorrhea, whether or not they have symptoms or used condoms.A newborn whose mother has gonorrhea at the time of delivery.

If you are prescribed more than one dose of an antibiotic, be sure to take your antibiotic exactly as directed. If you miss doses or don't take the full course of medicine, the gonorrhea infection may not be cured.

Do not have sexual contact with anyone:

While you are being treated.Until both you and your partner(s) have been tested and treated. If you are treated for gonorrhea and your sex partner is not, you will probably become infected again.

If your treatment is a single dose of antibiotic, wait at least 7 days after taking the dose before having any sexual contact.

Always use a condom when you have sex. This helps protect you from sexually transmitted infections.


Genital Herpes

Over 80% of people who are infected with genital herpes, don’t know they have the virus. Most of them will never find out - it’s quite common for patients to live a lifetime without knowing about their infection or suffering from any symptoms.

However, they can pass the virus to another partner who can then develop symptoms. Asymptomatic patients tend not to use protection (condoms) every time they have sex, unlike patients who know they have herpes.

Genital herpes is caused by the herpes simplex virus. The symptoms are soreness of the infected area and/or painful blisters around the genitals. Most people are able to recognise recurrent episodes due to the itching and tingling sensation in the genitals that they feel a few hours before the blisters appear. This is the best time to start an antiviral treatment, right before the virus starts producing genital herpes blisters.

In general, the first herpes outbreak is the most severe one and lasts much longer than any episode that follows – up to 2-3 weeks. Over time, outbreaks of genital herpes tend to get milder.

Naturally  Treatment

Not every person with a herpes infection actually experiences breakouts of cold sores throughout his or her lifetime or even after initially becoming infected. How often someone has a herpes cold sore outbreak, how severe the outbreaks are, how contagious someone is after infection and how long the sores take to heal all depend on someone’s individual immune response.

Top Foods to Help Herpes Treatment

If you’re going to keep the herpes virus from frequently causing outbreaks, the first step in how to get rid of herpes is to improve immune function by boosting nutrient intake. Include these healing foods in your diet to keep the virus dormant as much as possible:

Foods Rich in L-lysine

This amino acid may prevent replication of the herpes virus. Foods include legumes, fish, turkey, chicken and vegetables.

Orange and Red Vegetables

These vegetables include antioxidants, such ascarotenoids, bioflavonoids andvitamin C to help with skin/wound healing and raise overall immunity.

Wild-Caught Fish

Fish provides essential omega-3 fatty acids as some of the best omega-3 foods, which help with inflammation and tissue repair.

Clean, Lean Protein

The body cannot heal without enough protein. Try to get at least four to five ounces of quality protein per meal. Some of the best protein foodsinclude those that are organic, lean and naturally raised, such as wild-caught fish, pasture-raised poultry and grass-fed beef.

Zinc

Zinc is needed in many chemical reactions that help rebuild skin and protect the body from viruses or infections. Topical zinc formulas have been found to be effective not only for cold sore treatment, but also for prolonging remissions in herpes. (2) To increase your intake of high-zinc foods, consume more protein sources, such as organ meats (like liver), grass-fed beef, pumpkin seeds, nuts and vegetables like spinach.

Foods that Can Make Herpes Worse

Certain foods can raise inflammation, weaken immune defenses and make skin irritation even worse. Avoid the following foods as much as possible to limit outbreak severity and duration.

Added Sugar

Too much sugar suppresses immune function and can make inflammation worse. Added sugar is commonly found in bottled drinks, packaged snacks, and flavored products like yogurt, cereal, granola bars and refined grains.

Alcohol

High amounts of alcohol (in addition to smoking tobacco products and using other drugs) suppress immune function and can make symptoms like fatigue, aches and skin inflammation worse.

Packaged, Processed Foods

The majority of processed, packaged foods containgenetically modified ingredients (GMOs), hydrogenated oils and grains that can weaken immune function. These foods tend to cause sensitivities or allergies, worsened inflammation, and essentially provide little more than empty calories.

Acidic Foods

These foods can irritate herpes cold sores and cause worsened pain or burning. Avoid tomatoes, oranges, vinegar or other citrus fruits when you have an active outbreak to keep acid from touching open sores, but otherwise these are healthy foods to include in your diet often.

Foods Rich in L-arginine

This amino acid might slightly stimulate replication of the herpes virus. Foods to decrease around the time of outbreaks include those with wheat (which is most refined carbohydrates) and chocolate.

Other Options for How to Get Rid of Herpes Symptoms

1. Supplements

Antiviral herbs: These include elderberry, calendula, echinacea, garlic, astragalus and licorice root.L-lysine (1,000 milligrams three times daily): Can help treat and prevent outbreaks.Lemon balm extract: Apply as a topical cream for healing.Vitamin C (1,000 milligrams daily): Vitamin C boosts immune function improving herpes.Zinc (30 milligrams twice daily): Zinc benefitsinclude supporting immune function, keeping viruses dormant and rebuilding skin tissue to speed up healing.B-complex (50 milligrams daily): B vitamins help your body deal with stress and can prevent outbreaks.

2. Essential Oils

Essential oils that can help treat herpes include clove oil, tea tree oil and myrrh oil. Tea tree oil is one of the most common oils used on the skin for its natural antiviral, antibacterial properties. (3) Simply apply these essential oils three times daily to areas where cold sores are present, being careful to use a very small amount (only one to three drops). If you have sensitive skin, try mixing the essential oils with a carrier oil to dilute their strength a bit, including jojoba or coconut oil.

If cold sores or canker sores frequently develop on your lips or inside your mouth, you can apply my Homemade Lavender Mint Lip Balm often to reduce their occurrence or my Homemade Canker Sore Remedy and Mouth Rinse.

3. Easing Cold Sore Pain Naturally

If you develop herpes cold sores on your mouth or genitals, there are several ways you can help lower pain and improve healing. Here’s how to get rid of herpes symptoms, irritation and pain:

Try not to touch any open sores during an outbreak or beforehand. Wash your hands each time you do.Don’t kiss someone if you have an open sore or share drinks and utensils.Avoid sharing a toothbrush, lip balm or makeup with others to lower risk for transmission. Once a sore is healed, consider getting a new toothbrush since it’s possible for secretions to remain on your brush for a period of time.To decrease irritation, only use natural, mild soap and warm water on sores. Don’t pick, attempt to pop or rub sores.Don’t apply store-bought anti-itch creams, vaseline, salves or other products that can worsen swelling. Using natural essential oilsinstead can help (see the recipe above).If a sore causes pain, try pressing a warm towel against the affected area to decrease pain, or sit in a warm bath or shower to let the heat reach the area where it hurts.Be careful to use a separate towel on your genitals near any open sores than you use on your mouth. You can transmit the virus from one location of your body to another, but this limits the likelihood.


Genital Warts

Genital warts (also known as anogenital warts) are located in or around the anus and genital area. They’re caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV) which often doesn’t cause any symptoms at all, and sometimes shows only years after infection.

Genital warts appear as little bumps that sometime form clusters with a cauliflower shape. Since they come in different sizes treatment ranges from antiviral creams (e.g. Warticon) to surgery (e.g. laser, cryosurgery).

While they are not dangerous, they are easily transmitted and require immediate treatment. As far as symptoms go, genital warts are sometimes itchy and in rare cases they can be painful. Women can suffer from irregular vaginal bleeding or discharge.


Treatment

If your warts aren't causing discomfort, you may not need treatment. But if your symptoms include itching, burning and pain, or if visible warts are causing emotional distress, your doctor can help you clear an outbreak with medications or surgery. However, the lesions are likely to come back after treatment. There is no treatment for the virus itself.

Medications

Genital wart treatments that can be applied directly to your skin include:

Imiquimod (Aldara, Zyclara). This cream appears to boost your immune system's ability to fight genital warts. Avoid sexual contact while the cream is on your skin. It may weaken condoms and diaphragms and may irritate your partner's skin.

One possible side effect is redness of the skin. Other side effects may include blisters, body aches or pain, cough, rashes, and fatigue.

Podophyllin and podofilox (Condylox).Podophyllin is a plant-based resin that destroys genital wart tissue. Your doctor must apply this solution. Podofilox contains the same active compound, but can be safely applied by you at home.

Your doctor may want to administer the first application of podofilox, and will recommend precautionary steps to prevent the medication from irritating surrounding skin. Never apply podofilox internally. Additionally, this medication isn't recommended for use during pregnancy. Side effects can include mild skin irritation, sores or pain.

Trichloroacetic acid (TCA). This chemical treatment burns off genital warts, and can be used for internal warts. Side effects can include mild skin irritation, sores or pain.Sinecatechins (Veregen). This cream is used for treatment of external genital warts and warts in or around the anal canal. Side effects are often mild and may include reddening of the skin, itching or burning, and pain.

Don't try to treat genital warts with over-the-counter wart removers. These medications aren't intended for use in the moist tissues of the genital area. Using over-the-counter medications for this purpose can cause even more pain and irritation.


Natural remedies, Genital warts treatment

TEA TREE OIL

1. Tea tree oil


Along with other health benefits, essential oils have been studied for use asantifungal agents. Tea tree oil is an essential oil that has been found to be useful against fungus and other organisms, including head lice. The of lists tea tree oil as a remedy that might be useful against genital warts. You can apply a drop of diluted tea tree oil (mix one drop of the oil with a drop or two of a carrier oil, such as coconut oil) and apply directly to the wart.

Some people may be allergic to tea tree oil, so test a small amount of the diluted tea tree oil on your arm first. If there is no reaction after 24 hours, it should be safe to use.

Tea tree oil can be irritating and cause some burning or inflammation which is how it reduces the size of the wart. Do not take tea tree oil internally by mouth or through the vagina. You will need to apply the oil repeatedly for several weeks. Discontinue use if it is too irritating.



GREEN TEA

2. Green tea


Green tea has been found to be effectiveagainst genital warts. The green tea is concentrated into a compound in an ointment called sinecatechins (Veregen), which is available by prescription.

You can also purchase green tea extractover the counter and use at home by adding a drop or two to coconut oil and applying to the warts.

GARLIC

3. Garlic

There is some evidence that applying garlic extract to warts can help clear them up. You can purchase garlic extract and apply directly to the warts. You could also soak some gauze pads in a mixture of garlic and oil. Then apply and let sit on the warts.

APPLE CIDER VINEGAR

4. Apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar may treat genital warts at home. It’s similar to prescription medications that use acidic ingredients to kill off the virus.

You can soak a Q-tip, cotton ball, or gauze in apple cider vinegar and apply it to the warts.



VEGETABLES

5. Vegetables

Vegetables are good for you in a number of ways. Try eating crunchy vegetables like:

cabbagebroccoliBrussels sproutscauliflowerkale

These vegetables contain Indole-3-carbinol (I3C), which can help clear up genital warts. It’s recommend you eat 4-5 servings of veggies every day.


Surgery

You may need surgery to remove larger warts, warts that don't respond to medications or — if you're pregnant — warts that your baby may be exposed to during delivery. Surgical options include:

Freezing with liquid nitrogen (cryotherapy). Freezing works by causing a blister to form around your wart. As your skin heals, the lesions slough off, allowing new skin to appear. You may need repeated cryotherapy treatments. The main side effects include pain and swelling.Electrocautery. This procedure uses an electrical current to burn off warts. You may have some pain and swelling after the procedure.Surgical excision. Your doctor may use special tools to cut off warts. You'll need local or general anesthesia for this treatment, and you may have some pain afterward.Laser treatments. This approach, which uses an intense beam of light, can be expensive and is usually reserved for very extensive and tough-to-treat warts. Side effects can include scarring and pain.


Syphilis

Syphilis is one of the oldest infections on this list of STDs. While, nowadays, syphilis is fairly easy to treat with antibiotics, if left untreated the infection can cause severe symptoms (e.g. contagious ulcers on the genitals, anus and mouth; then infection of the brain, eyes or ears) and is potentially life-threatening.

In the early stages, like many types of STDs, the symptoms of syphilis are hard to recognise and it can take several months before they appear. However, as soon as the bacteria enter your body, the illness progresses – in three stages – with the symptoms getting worse at each stage.


TREATMENT

Treating and curing syphilis

Primary and secondary syphilis are easy to treat with a penicillin injection. Penicillin is one of the most widely used antibiotics and is usually effective in treating syphilis. People who are allergic to penicillin will likely be treated with a different antibiotic, such as:

doxycyclineazithromycinceftriaxone

If you have neurosyphilis, you’ll get daily doses of penicillin intravenously. This will often require a brief hospital stay. Unfortunately, the damage caused by late syphilis can’t be reversed. The bacteria can be killed, but treatment will most likely focus on easing pain and discomfort.

During treatment, make sure to avoid sexual contact until all sores on your body are healed and your doctor tells you it’s safe to resume sex. If you’re sexually active, your partner should be treated as well. Don’t resume sexual activity until you and your partner have completed treatment.

Hepatitis B

As for hepatitis B, it is a virus that attacks the liver (like hepatitis C) and is passed through sexual contact and blood (e.g. via needles). The symptoms of hepatitis B start with a short acute infection to which everyone responds differently: a few will develop chronic hepatitis B and others will develop liver severe dysfunction.

The majority of people actually develop their own antibodies against the virus and are protected from further infections. Yet, 5 in 100 people who are infected will suffer from serious consequences from the virus.

Note that hepatitis A and C can also be passed on through sexual activity but it remains quite rare, so we won’t include them in this list of STDs. If you have had unprotected sex you may need to go to a GUM clinic and get tested for hepatitis.


Treatment

Treatment to prevent hepatitis B infection after exposure

If you know you've been exposed to the hepatitis B virus and aren't sure if you've been vaccinated, call your doctor immediately. An injection of immunoglobulin (an antibody) given within 12 hours of exposure to the virus may help protect you from getting sick with hepatitis B. Because this treatment only provides short-term protection, you also should get the hepatitis B vaccine at the same time, if you never received it.

Treatment for acute hepatitis B infection

If your doctor determines your hepatitis B infection is acute — meaning it is short-lived and will go away on its own — you may not need treatment. Instead, your doctor might recommend rest, proper nutrition and plenty of fluids while your body fights the infection. In severe cases, antiviral drugs or a hospital stay is needed to prevent complications.

Treatment for chronic hepatitis B infection

Most people diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B infection need treatment for the rest of their lives. Treatment helps reduce the risk of liver disease and prevents you from passing the infection to others. Treatment for chronic hepatitis B may include:

Antiviral medications. Several antiviral medications — including entecavir (Baraclude), tenofovir (Viread), lamivudine (Epivir), adefovir (Hepsera) and telbivudine (Tyzeka) — can help fight the virus and slow its ability to damage your liver. These drugs are taken by mouth. Talk to your doctor about which medication might be right for you.Interferon injections. Interferon alfa-2b (Intron A) is a man-made version of a substance produced by the body to fight infection. It's used mainly for young people with hepatitis B who wish to avoid long-term treatment or women who might want to get pregnant within a few years, after completing a finite course of therapy. Interferon should not be used during pregnancy. Side effects may include nausea, vomiting, difficulty breathing and depression.Liver transplant. If your liver has been severely damaged, a liver transplant may be an option. During a liver transplant, the surgeon removes your damaged liver and replaces it with a healthy liver. Most transplanted livers come from deceased donors, though a small number come from living donors who donate a portion of their livers.


HIV – Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Finally, HIV is the last item on this list of the different STD infections. It is caused by a virus that attacks your immune system. Basically you don’t die from HIV, but from any benign infection that your body can’t cope with. This is the final stage where HIV results in your body to suffer from AIDS – the Acquired Immunodeficiency Symptom (i.e. your immune system is down).

Like Hepatitis B, HIV can be transmitted through blood exchange (for example sharing needles) or sex. It can also be transmitted to the new-born by a pregnant woman. And like Hepatitis B and other types of STDs, the first symptoms are difficult to recognise as they can feel like the flu (with muscle pain, sore throat), sometimes in combination with vomiting and diarrhoea.

This fever tends to develop within 2-4 weeks after the virus has entered the body, but it can sometimes take several months. Most patients will only suffer from AIDS about 10 years later as they start losing weight and suffer from uncommon infections and cancers.

There is no cure or vaccine for HIV at the moment, but early treatment considerably slows down the spread of the virus in infected patients. There are over 8,000 HIV-positive people in the UK, and an estimated 30% of them are not aware of their condition.

List of STDs & Symptoms - Other infections

There are many infections that are often misunderstood as STDs, such as urethritis, which is simply an infection of the urethra (part of the urinary tract).

Crabs

Pubic lice (crabs) is another example, which is neither an infection nor a disease but just tiny bugs (lice) that settle in your pubic hair to lay their eggs and reproduce. They are transmitted during intimate contact between two pubic areas.

Many people don’t have any symptoms, but some do suffer from itchy genitals and inflammation. You can only get rid of them with special treatment for lice (shampoos, lotions & creams).

Trichomoniasis (Trich)

Trichomonas is a germ causing a benign infection known as trichomoniasis. It’s a treatable infection which is cured with a simple course of antibiotics. The symptoms it causes are common STD symptoms, namely an abnormal discharge from the genitals and pain when urinating or when having sex.

Not Strictly STDs…

There is also a whole range of infections that are sometimes considered to be STDs, but they are not strictly speaking STDs. Although they are sometimes transmitted during sex they may be genital infections that are aggravated by sexual activity.

These STD infections are easily curable and include:

Bacterial vaginosis (smelly discharge) in women;Water warts caused by a virus which leads to liquid-filled warts around the genitals. These warts are relatively contagious and can be transmitted by skin contact and exchanging towels and clothes;Chancroid, caused by a bacteria and results in bump-like warts that turn into painful ulcers. The symptoms are very similar to genital warts.

The advantage of broad spectrum antibiotics such as azithromycin is that while they’re specifically prescribed for certain types of STDs (e.g. chlamydia), they can also be used to treat other STD-related infections (e.g. chancroid). By getting tested and treated, you can sometimes cure many types of STDs at the same time.


STDs during Pregnancy


If you are pregnant, you can become infected with the same sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) as women who are not pregnant. Pregnant women should ask their doctors about getting tested for STDs, since some doctors do not routinely perform these tests.


I’m pregnant. Can I get an STD?


Yes, you can. Women who are pregnant can become infected with the same STDs as women who are not pregnant. Pregnancy does not provide women or their babies any additional protection against STDs. Many STDs are ‘silent,’ or have no symptoms, so you may not know if you are infected. If you are pregnant, you should be tested for STDs, including HIV (the virus that causes AIDS), as a part of your medical care during pregnancy. The results of an STD can be more serious, even life-threatening, for you and your baby if you become infected while pregnant. It is important that you are aware of the harmful effects of STDs and how to protect yourself and your unborn baby against infection. If you are diagnosed with an STD while pregnant, your sex partner(s) should also be tested and treated.

I’m pregnant. Can I get an STD?

STDs can complicate your pregnancy and may have serious effects on both you and your developing baby. Some of these problems may be seen at birth; others may not be discovered until months or years later. In addition, it is well known that infection with an STD can make it easier for a person to get infected with HIV. Most of these problems can be prevented if you receive regular medical care during pregnancy. This includes tests for STDs starting early in pregnancy and repeated close to delivery, as needed.


Should I be tested for STDs during my pregnancy?


Yes. Testing and treating pregnant women for STDs is a vital way to prevent serious health complications to both mother and baby that may otherwise happen with infection. The sooner you begin receiving medical care during pregnancy, the better the health outcomes will be for you and your unborn baby. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s  STD Treatment Guidelines recommend screening pregnant women for STDs. The CDC screening recommendations that your health care provider should follow are incorporated into the table on the STDs during Pregnancy – Detailed CDC Fact Sheet.

Be sure to ask your doctor about getting tested for STDs. It is also important that you have an open, honest conversation with your provider and discuss any symptoms you are experiencing and any high-risk sexual behavior that you engage in, since some doctors do not routinely perform these tests. Even if you have been tested in the past, you should be tested again when you become pregnant.


Can I get treated for an STD while I’m pregnant?

It depends. STDs, such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, trichomoniasis and BV can all be treated and cured with antibiotics that are safe to take during pregnancy. STDs that are caused by viruses, like genital herpes, hepatitis B, or HIV cannot be cured. However, in some cases these infections can be treated with antiviral medications or other preventive measures to reduce the risk of passing the infection to your baby. If you are pregnant or considering pregnancy, you should be tested so you can take steps to protect yourself and your baby.


How can I reduce my risk of getting an STD while pregnant?

The only way to avoid STDs is to not have vaginal, anal, or oral sex.

If you are sexually active, you can do the following things to lower your chances of getting chlamydia:

Being in a long-term mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested and has negative STD test results;Using latex condoms the right way every time you have sex.


Sexual Health


Ways to Protect Yourself from STDs


Around 20 million new  sexually transmitted diseases/infections (STDs/STIs) occur every year, according to the  U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  (CDC). Many STDs are asymptomatic, meaning there are no outward symptoms to alert you to the disease. Instead, they may cause serious health problems years later. While you might not be able to completely eliminate your risk of contracting an STD, you can reduce the risk. The following are ways to lower your chances of contracting an STD.

Abstinence

Not having sex is the only way to avoid contracting an STD, including HIV. This is not a choice most people are willing to make. Practicing abstinence doesn’t mean that you can’t have a close and intimate relationship. Physical affection can be shown through kissing, hugging, massaging, etc. You can spend time together talking, going to the park, and enjoying one another’s company. Having sex can be saved until you and your partner are ready to make a monogamous commitment to one another.

Practice Safe Sex Every Time

You might practice safe sex on nights when you know there is a good possibility of having sex and are prepared. But on nights (or days) when sex is spontaneous or unexpected, you might give in to the moment and the passion. You might think "one time won’t matter." But one time does matter. Make it a rule that you will only have sex when you have the tools (male or female condoms) to practice safe sex. Remember, you should practice sex with intercourse (vaginal and anal) and oral sex.

Talk to Your Partner Before You Have Sex

Many people feel uncomfortable talking about  sex,  but it is important to be able to talk to your partner first. Make sure you both agree on safe sex methods and birth control. Make sure you are both ready to commit to a mutually exclusive relationship. Ask your potential partner to have STD testing done before you have sex (be willing to have this testing done yourself). Honest and clear communication is important to any relationship. If you don’t feel you can talk to your partner, there might be something lacking in the relationship.

Get Tested on a Regular Basis

If you have, or have had,G multiple sexual partners, it is important to have  STD testing  done on a regular basis. Some STDs, including HIV, can take several months before showing up on test results. You should schedule STD screening several times per year if you are sexually active.

Avoid Drinking or Doing Drugs

Drinking and drugs can lead to poor decision-making. It is easier to give in to sex, or to give in to not using condoms after having a few drinks or smoking a joint. If you are heading out to a party and know you will be drinking or getting high, make a promise to yourself that you won’t have sex. Ask a friend to help you keep that promise and bring you home instead of allowing you to leave with someone else.


Accept That You Have the Right to Say "No"

Having sex is a decision and both partners should be comfortable with. You might worry that your potential partner won’t want to see you again if you say no, or you might feel your partner will break up with you if you don’t give in to their advances. You have the right to say no. You have the right to not have sex. You have heard it before: If the person doesn’t respect your choice, then you need to rethink the relationship. On the other side, if your partner says no, you need to respect that decision and find a different way of showing that you care.

Don’t Rely on the Other Person for Protection

You are responsible for your health; therefore, you are responsible for your protection. Whether you are male or female, if there is a possibility of sex, you should have a condom with you. Don’t rely on the male to carry  condoms. If neither of you have a condom, sex should wait until a time when you do have one.

Limit Your Sexual Partners

Each sexual partner increases your risk of being exposed to an STD. Reducing your risk means limiting the number of people with whom you have sex. Be selective in choosing sexual partners. You might want to create a list of "needs" before engaging in sex. This list can include monogamy, dating for six months (or a period of time you see as reasonable), willingness to get tested, and willingness to use condoms. Limit your sexual partners to those who share your sexual values.


Practicing safe sex (or at least safer sex) can help protect you from STDs, including HIV and unwanted pregnancies. Always remember that you have a choice and your choice should be respected.


BORNE TRANSMITTED DISEASES

What Are Airborne Diseases?


Airborne diseases

You can catch some diseases simply by breathing. These are called airborne diseases.

Airborne disease can spread when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks, spewing nasal and throat secretions into the air. Certain viruses or bacteria take flight and hang in the air or land on other people or surfaces.

When you breathe airborne pathogenic organisms in, they take up residence inside you. You can also pick up germs when you touch an infected surface, and then touch your own eyes, nose, or mouth.

Because these diseases travel in the air, they’re hard to control. Keep reading to learn more about the common types of airborne diseases and what you can do to protect yourself from catching them.

TYPES

Types of airborne diseases

Many diseases are spread through the air, including these:

The common cold

Millions of cases of the common cold occur each year in the United States. Most adults get two or three colds a year. Children tend to get them more frequently. The common cold is the top reason for absences at school and work. There are many viruses that can cause a cold, but it’s usually a rhinovirus.

Influenza

Most of us have some experience with the flu. It spreads so easily because it’s contagious about a day before you notice the first symptoms. It remains contagious for another five to seven days. If you have a weakened immune system for any reason, you can spread it to others for longer than that.

There are many strains of the flu, and they are constantly changing. That makes it difficult for your body to develop immunities.


Chickenpox

Chickenpox is caused by the varicella-zoster virus. If you have chickenpox, you can spread it for a day or two before you get the telltale rash. It takes up to 21 days after exposure for the disease to develop.

Most people get chickenpox only once, and then the virus goes dormant. Should the virus reactivate later in life, you get a painful skin condition called shingles. If you haven’t had chickenpox, you can get the infection from someone with shingles.

Mumps

Mumps is another very contagious viral disease. You can spread it before symptoms appear and for up to five days after. Mumps used to be quite common in the United States, but rates have declined by 99 percent due to vaccination. As of September 2016, less than 2,000 causes were reported in the United States. Outbreaks tend to occur in densely populated environments.

Measles

Measles is a very contagious disease, particularly in crowded conditions. The virus can remain active in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours. You’re able to infect others up to four days before and four days after the measles rash appears. Most people get the measles only once.

Measles is a leading cause of death among children worldwide and was responsible for 134,200 deaths in 2015. It is estimated that the measles vaccine prevented 20.3 million deaths from 2000 to 2015. The disease is less common in the United States, and occurs mostly in people who haven’t been vaccinated. There were667 cases reported in 2014 and 188 in 2015.

Whooping cough (pertussis)

This respiratory illness causes swelling of the airways that results in a persistent hacking cough. It’s at the height of contagiousness for about two weeks after the coughing starts.

Worldwide, there are about 16 millioncases of whooping cough every year resulting in 195,000 deaths. In 2014, there were 32,971 reported cases in the United States.

Tuberculosis (TB)

TB, also known as consumption, is an airborne disease, but this bacterial infection doesn’t spread easily. You generally have to be in close contact with an infected person for a long time. You can be infected without becoming ill or infecting others.

About 2.5 billion people worldwide are infected with TB. Most aren’t sick. About 9.6 million people worldwide have active TB.

People with a weakened immune system have the greatest risk of developing the disease. Symptoms can appear within days of exposure. For some, it takes months or years to activate.

When the disease is active, bacterium rapidly multiply and attack the lungs. It can spread through your bloodstream and lymph nodes to other organs, bones, or skin.

Diphtheria

Once a major cause of sickness and death in children, diphtheria is now rare in the United States. Due to widespread vaccination, fewer than five cases have been reported in the past decade. Worldwide, there were about 7,321 casesin 2014, but it may be underreported.

The disease injures your respiratory system and can damage your heart, kidneys, and nerves.

SYMPTOMS

Airborne diseases usually result in one or more of the following symptoms:

inflammation of your nose, throat, sinuses, or lungscoughingsneezingcongestionrunny nosesore throatswollen glandsheadachebody achesloss of appetitefeverfatigue

Chickenpox causes an itchy rash that usually starts on your chest, face, and back before spreading over the rest of your body. Within a few days, fluid-filled blisters form. The blisters burst and scab over in about a week.

The measles rash can take as long as 7 to 18 days to appear after you’ve been exposed. It generally starts on your face and neck, and then spreads over the course of a few days. It fades within a week. Serious complications of measles include:

ear infectionsdiarrheadehydrationsevere respiratory infectionblindnessswelling of the brain, or encephalitis

Whooping cough gets its name from its main symptom, a severe hacking cough, which is usually followed by a forceful intake of air.

Symptoms of TB vary depend on which organs or body systems are affected and may include coughing up sputum or blood.

Diphtheria can cause marked swelling in your neck. This can make it difficult to breathe and swallow.

Complications from airborne diseases are more likely to affect the very young, the very old, and people with a compromised immune system.

TREATMENT

Treatment for common airborne diseases

For most airborne diseases, you’ll need plenty of rest and fluids. Further treatment depends on your specific illness.

Some airborne diseases, such as chickenpox, have no targeted treatment. However, medications and other supportive care can help relieve symptoms.

Some, such as the flu, can be treated with antiviral drugs.

Treatment for infants with whooping cough can include antibiotics, and hospitalization is often needed.

There are drugs to treat and cure TB, although some strains of TB are drug resistant. Failure to complete the course of medicine can lead to drug resistance and return of symptoms.

If caught early enough, diphtheria can be successfully treated with antitoxins and antibiotics.

INCIDENCE

Incidence

Airborne diseases happen all around the world and affect virtually everyone.

They spread easily in close quarters, such as schools and nursing homes. Large outbreaks tend to occur under crowded conditions and in places where hygiene and sanitation systems are poor.

Incidence is lower in countries where vaccines are widely available and affordable.

OUTLOOK



Most airborne diseases run their course within a few weeks. Others, like whooping cough, can last for months.

Serious complications and longer recovery time are more likely if you have a weakened immune system or if you don’t have access to good medical care. In some cases, airborne diseases can be fatal.

PREVENTION

What you can do to prevent spreading an airborne disease

Although it’s impossible to completely avoid airborne pathogens, there are some things you can do to lower your chances of getting sick:

Avoid close contact with people who have active symptoms of disease.Stay home when you’re sick. Don’t let vulnerable people come in close contact with you.If you must be around others, wear a face mask to prevent spreading or breathing in germs.Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze. Use a tissue or your elbow to cut down on the possibility of transmitting germs on your hands.Wash your hands thoroughly (at least 20 seconds) and often, especially after sneezing or coughing.Avoid touching your face or other people with unwashed hands.

Vaccines can reduce your chances of getting some airborne diseases. Vaccines also lower the risk for others in the community. Airborne diseases that have vaccines include:

chickenpox diphtheriainfluenza: vaccine updated every year to include strains most likely to spread in the coming seasonmeasles: usually combined with vaccine for mumps and rubella, and is known as the MMR vaccinemumps: MMR vaccineTB: not generally recommended in the United Stateswhooping cough

In developing countries, mass immunization campaigns are helping to lower the transmission rates of some of these airborne diseases.


Dangerous Water Borne Diseases We Need To Fight Now

Water is said to be the source of life. However, research has already shown us that just as much as it could be a life-giving sustenance, it could also bring much peril.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reported in 2009 that waterborne diseases are the deadliest killers known to man. It is not the water per se that causes harm – it is the various contaminants and microorganisms that thrive in the water.

Diseases can easily be contracted not just by drinking contaminated drinking water but also by merely getting into contact with it.


Diarrhea is the first sign

Most of these water borne diseases manifest themselves through chronic diarrhea. In fact, water borne diseases in Africa and in Southeast Asia have brought about severe cases of diarrhea which led to 7.7 percent and 8.5 percent of deaths in those continents respectively.

Water related diseases could be avoided at the onset with the use of water filtration techniques to sift out all the nasty contaminants up to the smallest micron; so do boiling, water stills, and the use of water treatment tablets.

After all, what is a waterborne disease but the result of ingesting a virus or bacteria that makes itself comfortable in any kind of water source? You eliminate those nasty microorganisms from your water and you can consider yourself protected.

Let us look at each of these water borne illnesses and see how they fare against water filters:


Bacterial Infections

Cholera.

The Global Health Observatory of the World Health Organization (WHO) noted that in 2013, 47 countries reported 129,064 cases of cholera to WHO. A total of 47 percent of this number came from the Americas while 43 percent came from Africa.

Cholera is a waterborne illness that affects the intestine, no thanks to the bacterium, Vibrio cholerae. Its symptoms usually are watery diarrhea and vomiting which can lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.


Dysentery.

What is dysentery, you may ask? It is probably one of the most common waterborne diseases around, having killed around 600,000 children who have not yet reached the age of five coming mostly from developing countries.

The bacterial disease is caused by the microorganism called Shigella, and just like the cholera bacterium, this little dude attacks cells in the large intestine, resulting to abdominal cramps, anal pain, and bloody stool.


Typhoid Fever.

Another example of waterborne diseases is typhoid fever. The bacteria in water that brings this type of disease is the Salmonella typhi, and this little beast gives symptoms quite different from cholera and dysentery. The affected person may also suffer from diarrhea, but a more distinct symptom is the development of a skin rash with rose colored spots on the chest and abdomen.

This dude could also enter the bloodstream, making the infected person a carrier of the disease even if he has been cured of the symptoms. Moreover, only humans can be infected with typhoid fever.


Salmonella and E. coli Infection.

These two bacterial diseases have a lot in common: both come from unsanitary conditions, filthy water containing infected feces, and meat that has not been cooked well. Even our pets can help in the spread of salmonella through their feces. Mean while, a particular strain of the Escherichia coli has the ability to produce toxins that cause illness.

Both of these water bacteria present similar symptoms in infected individuals – high fever, abdominal cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea. In the worst cases of E. coli poisoning, one could experience kidney failure.


Campylobacter.

This disease is the most common cause of diarrheal illness among humans, and the culprit is theCampylobacter jejuni bacteria. If you have a severe case of gastroenteritis, then this bad dude could be the reason for it.

READ MORE: Cocaine in Our Water Supply

The C. jejuni bacteria could be found not just among humans but in a wide variety of animals. Thus, if you kill an infected farm animal for food purposes and its meat is eaten either uncooked or barely cooked, then you’re in for a series of visits to the loo or, in worse cases, to the hospital. Infected feces could also end up in water sources, and the bacteria in water could be potentially harmful to anyone who takes a drink straight out of that water.


Legionellosis.

Also known as legionnaire’s disease, this particular type of illness is caused by the Legionellabacteria. Unlike previously-mentioned waterborne diseases which target the digestive system, this one chooses another venue to attack – the respiratory system.

The Legionella bacteria can thrive in warm water environments– even in water heating systems, evaporative coolers, fountains, or any entity that can turn water into fine mist. When the mist with this nasty creature is inhaled, the infected person could eventually manifest pneumonia-like symptoms, as well as loss of coordination. Contaminated drinking water can also be the culprit.

Leptospirosis.

Although the bacteria causing this disease can be found in many wild and domesticated animals, the most common carriers are rodents.

Water sports enthusiasts are susceptible to contracting this disease, as well as those living in flood-prone areas where feces of your common household mice could mix with the flood water. If this bacterial water manages to enter the body either through open wounds or through drinking, the infected person could either turn yellow (Weil’s disease) or his lungs could bleed (severe pulmonary hemorrhage syndrome). It may even lead to meningitis.

Botulism.

The bacterium, Clostridium botulinum, is the culprit behind botulism. Infection begins with fatigue, problems with eyesight, and slurred speech, something that water diseases are quite known for. Eventually, it progresses to weakness of the facial muscles, and this weakness spreads to the arms and legs.

If not treated with antibiotics and/or an antitoxin, the poison ofC. botulinum could lead to death as this little beast could even affect breathing and the production of saliva.


Vibrio Illness.

Strains of the Vibrio bacteria are usually found in saltwater, and can be carried by several marine animals like crabs, prawns, and shellfish. If you ingest it, this waterborne illness can manifest cholera-like symptoms. If it enters the body through an open wound, a nagging infection and skin ulcers may occur.

Toxin from the Vibrio bacteria can be lethal, and a visit to the doctor for the necessary antibiotics is highly recommended.


VIRAL INFECTIONS

Hepatitis A and E.

These two strains of the hepatitis virus are usually found in unsanitary surroundings or in water sources contaminated with feces of an infected person. Once ingested, these nasties attack the liver and cause jaundice, vomiting, and abdominal discomfort. In the case of Hepatitis E, it can even cause liver failure.

There are vaccines that can protect against Hepatitis A and other water borne illnesses, but none against the deadlier Hepatitis E. However, even if left untreated, both types of the hepatitis virus may heal over time.

PREVENTABLE BY WATER FILTERS?


Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).

This is a disease which, to date, still has no vaccine. What is dysentery compared to this disease, right? Only discovered in 2003, SARS has already been pegged by WHO as a global health threat due to the numerous outbreaks that occurred in recent time, mostly in Hong Kong and mainland China where the disease started.

When the SARS-causingCoronavirus enters the system through cough droplets in the air or contact with body fluids of an infected person, one will start to develop flu-like symptoms until it progresses to something that resembles pneumonia. In the worst cases, the result is death.


Polio.

There are efforts toward the global eradication of the Poliovirus which causes poliomyelitis, or polio, due to the existence of a vaccine to prevent its onset. However, there are still instances of outbreaks from the said virus being reported in several developing countries.

Spread usually through ingestion, this micro-creature has the power to give you dizziness, vomiting, and body pains at the least; overall muscle weakness to paralysis at the worst – even death.


Polyomavirus Infection.

What is a waterborne disease originally thought to affected caged birds? With two strains of the polyomavirus infection (the JC and BK viruses) present, it wasn’t long before experts discovered it could negatively affect humans. Contaminated water is seen as the source of these viruses. Symptoms begin with infection of the respiratory tract, and in worst cases, the kidneys are compromised.

The name, polyoma, is Latin for “numerous tumors,” which is exactly what these viruses create within the system.
​

Diseases from microbiological agents

Arsenicosis and Fluorosis.

Arsenic and fluoride are minerals that are naturally present in our earth’s crust, and may sometimes mix with groundwater that may have probably flowed along arsenic- or fluoride-rich rocks. Prolonged drinking of water laced with these minerals will have serious consequences to one’s health.

Arsenicosis manifests itself on the human body as skin lesions, and can also result to skin cancers and affect the bladder, kidneys, and lungs. If untreated or if exposure to it continues, death is a possibility.

As for fluorosis, the early sign of this disease is a mild discoloration of the teeth. In worst cases, overexposure to fluoride can leave people severely crippled. This example of waterborne diseases may be present in your home right now.


Protozoal Infections

Amoebiasis.

When you are unlucky enough to ingest the amoeba, Entamoeba histolytica through unsanitary food or contaminated water, then you’re in for a seriously uncool gastrointestinal illness and one of the most common waterborne diseases. Wikipedia notes that this disease has already caused approximately 70,000 deaths per year on a global scale.

The awful part of it is that even when you are already cured of the diarrhea, the E. histolytica can lay dormant in the body for several years.


Giardia.

The protozoan, Giardia lamblia, is the most common intestinal parasite; so common, you can find it in the digestive tract of almost every animal – including humans.

Symptoms of individuals infected with this protozoan include diarrhea, loss of appetite, bloating, and excessive flatulence and burping. In some cases, even when the G. lamblia is already out of the system, intestinal problems may still recur.


Cryptosporidium.

The disease and the culprit behind it are called Cryptosporidium, or crypto. The protozoan has an outer shell surrounding it, making it quite resistant to cleansers and disinfectants, even chlorine. Thus, it can survive for days in a chlorinated pool, as well as in questionable water sources.

The symptoms of this disease are typical of fecal-related diseases that are waterborne – watery diarrhea and weight loss. These symptoms can recur for up to 30 days.