Back to STIs index

F.A.Q.s About Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)

WHAT ARE SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES? AN OVERVIEW

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN STD AND VENEREAL DISEASE?

Sexually transmitted diseases are diseases that are transmitted only or mainly through contact with an infected person. These types of diseases were commonly known as venereal diseases or VD however they are now mostly referred to as sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). A STD may be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi or protozoa. These pathogens (disease causing organisms) need a warm, moist environment in which to live like that found on the human sexual organs.

Back to FAQs

STDs that can be contracted only through sexual contact are gonorrhea, chlamydia and syphilis. These diseases are among the most serious communicable diseases.

Venereal Disease (VD) is the general name given to those diseases caused by organisms (germs) which are transmitted from persons who already have the disease to other persons either by sexual intercourse or by close body contact involving the sex organs, mouth and or rectum.

MUST THERE BE THIS INTIMATE SEXUAL CONTACT TO SPREAD VENEREAL DISEASE?

The organisms causing these diseases cannot live very long when exposed to light and air away from warm moist areas of the human body. Thus, there is little danger of becoming infected with Syphilis or Gonorrhea from public toilets, doorknobs, drinking cups or eating utensils.

IS THERE MORE THAN ONE TYPE OF VENEREAL DISEASE?

There is more than one type of venereal disease but the two most common kinds of Venereal Diseases are Syphilis and Gonorrhea.

ARE THERE OTHER NAMES FOR VENEREAL DISEASE BESIDES SYPHILIS AND GONORRHEA?

Syphilis is sometimes called ,pox lues, bad blood, siff and old Joe. Gonorrhea is sometimes called clap, strain, gleet, morning drop, ""a dose"" and ""the whites" ".

IS VENEREAL DISEASE ON THE INCREASE?

Venereal disease is on the increase and now constitutes a public health emergency of the first order … killing, crippling and seriously endangering the mental and physical well being of millions of people.

WHY IS INFECTIOUS VENEREAL DISEASE INCREASING SO RAPIDLY?

The reason for this is complicated but here are some of the contributing factors:

Back to the top of page

WHO GETS VENEREAL DISEASE?

Venereal Disease can and does attack the young and old, male and female, and people of all races and social classes. However, it is more prevalent in the youth- teenagers and young adults. This does not mean however, that other age groups have immunity to venereal disease. Teenagers and the youth have the tendency to be uninformed or more carefree, experimental and curious in matters concerning sexuality. Older people have greater sexual awareness and younger people have no awareness.

DOES ANY PERSON HAVE IMMUNITY TO VENEREAL DISEASE?

No. A person can be re-infected again and again - and again!

CAN SOMEBODY BE INFECTED WITH BOTH SYPHILIS AND GONORRHEA AT THE SAME TIME?

Yes. Venereal disease must be treated through medication. A venereal disease cannot be healed by having sex with a virgin or going through a cleansing ritual performed by a witchdoctor.

HOW DANGEROUS IS VENEREAL DISEASE?

Many people die each year from untreated Syphilis. One in ten untreated victims of Syphilis will become permanently crippled heart victims. One in twelve afflicted will develop Syphilitic insanity. One in a one hundred will lose their eyesight. An overall rate of one in twenty-five of those afflicted will become in some way permanently crippled or incapacitated due to Syphilis. Untreated Gonorrhea can and does cause serious physical damage, such as sterility, heart trouble, arthritis and blindness. The psychological problems that accompany these physical problems can be disabling.

CAN YOU TELL WHEN OR WHETHER ANOTHER PERSON HAS VENEREAL DISEASE?

No. There is no immediate or sudden change in general appearance and no definite pattern of symptoms to the uneducated eye.

WHAT ARE THE EARLY SYMPTOMS OR SIGNS OF SYPHILIS?

The first sign of infection is a single, painless sore where the germ has entered the body. This sore is called a Chancre (pronounced "shanker").It appears between two to six weeks after exposure to the infected person. This Chancre or sore will disappear even without treatment, but this only means that the disease has gone deeper into the body. The disease is not cured. The secondary stage of Syphilis which begins two to six months after the Chancre can include skin rashes over all or part of body, baldness, sore throat, fever and headaches. Even these will disappear without treatment, but the disease is still in the body just waiting to create such "final" problems as crippling the nervous system, syphilitic insanity, heart disease and death.

WHAT ARE THE EARLY SYMPTOMS OR SIGNS OF GONORRHEA?

In the male, the first symptoms appear two to eight days after contact with the infected person and consist of a discharge of pus from the penis, painful inflammation in the urinary canal, which causes burning upon urination, and a frequency and urgency in urination. With females. Gonorrhea can go undetected. It may begin with a burning in the genital area, and there may or may not be a slight vaginal discharge that could be attributed to some other routine problem. Untreated, the infection can spread into the reproductive tract. It may enter the abdomen and can cause peritonitis. After the acute infection subsides, It may be followed by a period of chronic infection, which may result in sterility. Women can be infectious and be able to transmit the disease without even knowing they have it.

CAN VENEREAL DISEASE BE TRANSMITTED IN PREGNANCY TO THE UNBORN CHILD?

Gonorrhea can be transmitted to the eyes of the unborn child as it passes through the infected birth canal during delivery.In pregnancy, transmission of the Syphilitic infection to the unborn child occurs through the infection of the mother when he germs pass from the mother's blood stream into the blood stream of the unborn child. The child may be infected anytime from three months to the time of delivery. If the mother's infection is not treated in the first three months, the probability of stillbirth is quadrupled — The possibility of infant death is almost doubled and up to 80% of the remaining children suffer from congenital Syphilis depending on the duration of the mother's infection.

CAN VENEREAL DISEASE BE TREATED?

Yes! With prompt and proper diagnosis the medical profession has available many drugs to treat gonorrhea and Syphilis. The key to the treatment is the word "PROMPT". Only a qualified physician can detect and treat Venereal Disease. Appropriate laboratory tests (a blood test for syphilis and a smear or culture test for gonorrhea) are essential in aiding the physician to detect Venereal Disease. Anyone the least bit suspicious of having intimate contact with a person infected with Venereal Disease should immediately contact his or her physician and/or Public health Authorities.

CAN VENEREAL DISEASE BE PREVENTED?

Yes!

HOW?

Abstinance from sex before marriage and then being faithful after that is the of course the best way of preventing venereal disease. Nobody has ever died from lack of sex before marriage and that's all it is - sex. Not love. Just sex plain and simple. When properly used, the most respected and time-proven aid in the prevention of Venereal Disease is the Prophylactic also known as 'condom', 'skin', 'rubbers', 'safes', 'pros,' 'CDs' etc. Other methods of prophylaxis are through cleansing of the male and female sexual areas - douching by females and urination by males after sexual intercourse. Of course selective sexual behavior, avoiding sexual contact with infected or possibly infected persons, is one of the best ways to prevent Venereal Disease.

IS THE PROPHYLACTIC (CONDOM) A CONTRACEPTIVE?

Yes, and has long been recognized as one of the most effective contraceptives. However it is also recognised that it is not 100% foolproof. They can burst, fail especially when improperly put on.

WHEN AND HOW SHOULD THE CONDOM BE USED AS A PROPHYLACTIC/OR CONTRACEPTIVE?

For the condom to be an effective aid in the prevention of Venereal Disease or unwanted pregnancy it must be put on the erected penis before any sexual contact is made - right at the very start of any sexual activity.

DO OTHER CONTRACEPTIVE METHODS PREVENT VENEREAL DISEASE?

No! People must be made aware that other drugs, pills and devices used for contraception have no established value in preventing Venereal disease. The prophylactic (condom) when properly used, is the only device that is proven as both a prophylactic and a contraceptive.

ARE PROPHYLACTICS SAFE?

Ethical Manufacturers require strict standards of strength, durability and reliability in manufacturing condoms (prophylactics). Each condom must be individually tested to assure a quality condom. However in spite of all this care they still can and do sometimes fail.

WHERE ARE PROPHYLACTICS MOST EASILY OBTAINED?

Pharmacies throughout the country (and even kiosks nowadays as well as toilets and washrooms in some hotels and restaurants) have been the traditional source of quality brand prophylactics. Unlike other distributors or vendors" the pharmacist, by virtue his experience and as a trained member of the community health team, is best able to offer the particular prophylactic to serve the individual need. The pharmacist "is a community leader who is trusted by the average citizen as a source of health related advice- second only to the physician".

ARE PROPHYLACTICS DIFFICULT TO USE?

Absolutely not. Modern methods of producing, pre-rolling and packaging prophylactics make them very easy to open, handle and use.

DOES USING A PROPHYLACTIC REDUCE SENSITIVITY?

By offering the user a choice of modern prophylactic materials such as liquid latex (the material used in surgeons gloves) natural animal membrane and special lubricants, the whole range of required sensitivity levels are satisfied.

CAN VENEREAL DISEASE CAN BE PREVENTED

When properly used, the most respected and time-proven aid in the prevention of venereal disease is the prophylactic also known as 'condom', 'skin,' 'rubbers', 'safes', 'pros', 'CD's' 'etc'. Other methods of prophylaxis are thorough cleansing of the male and female sexual areas douching by females and urination by males after sexual intercourse. Of course selective behavior, avoiding sexual contact with infected or possibly infected persons, is one of the best ways to prevent Venereal Disease. For the condom to be an effective aid in the prevention of Venereal disease or unwanted pregnancy it must be put on the erected penis before any sexual contact is made right at the very start of any sexual activity.

Back to top of the page


This site is designed by David Ogot snr. And hosted by
Science & Engineering Research Center
©goinghomedotcom 2001 - 2006
Disclaimer Privacy Policy