Sexually transmitted disease - Essay Example

 Introduction Basically, a sexually transmitted disease (STD) can be loosely defined as any communicable disease that can be transmitted from one person to the other as a result of having unprotected sex with an infected partner. There are many types of sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia, syphilis, gonorrhoea and the deadly HIV/Aids among others. STDs are a cause of concern as they in most cases negatively impact on the welfare of the public and they may often lead to loss of life if left uncontrolled. Prevalence and Incidence Research has shown that statistics about STD infections among youths are alarming in the USA. Thus according to a journal article by Josephine Polifroni entitled, ‘STD Facts: Chlamydia in teens’ (2008), “Chlamydia is the most common STD reported in the US and one of the leading causes of infertility.” It is estimated that a staggering 2.8 million new cases are reported each year and the prevalence rate is highest among girls of 15-19 years. In another research by Sarah Guerry (2007), statistics show that in Los Angeles County alone for instance, 62% of all Chlamydia cases were among 15-24 year olds and 50% of all gonorrhoea cases were among 15-24 year olds. It is also estimated that 25% of all sexually active teens are infected yearly with STDs. In the study by Josephine Polifroni, it is speculated that young girls are more susceptible because their cervix is not fully mature and females are five times more likely to become infected with HIV if infected with Chlamydia. Impact on society STDs are in most cases widespread and are a cause for serious concern as they often have long term consequences on the welfare of the public. According to research by the Guttemacher Institute (1997), “STDs are a serious problem because they may have delayed, long-term consequences, including poor maternal health, ectopic pregnancy, infant illness and death, cervical cancer, infertility and increased susceptibility to HIV.” It can also be noted that the prevalence of STDs are strenuous on the national fiscus as the country would need to take a leading role in funding both the treatment and fight against new infections. In most cases, the productive age group is affected and one of the most terrible effects of STDs is failure to provide for their families as well as contribute to their society. History of STDs The STD epidemic is not only limited to today’s youth but dates back several hundreds of years. A closer look at gonorrhoea and Chlamydia, the most common types of STDs among youth, shows that they have been in existence for quite a number of decades now. According to Tim Leach (2009), “before the days of local STD testing, gonorrhoea was often mistaken for Syphilis, as without a microscope, the two had very similar symptoms and were often silent.” Mercury was injected down the urethra of patients suffering from the disease during the 18th century. Leach also concurs that, “by the 19th century, silver nitrate was a widely used drug, later to be replaced by Protargol and colloidal silver replaced this which was widely used until antibiotics came to the rescue in the 1940s.” Chlamydial infections on the other hand have been very common in USA for a long period of time now. Thus, according to the American Social Health Association (2009), Chlamydia is a curable infection caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis and can be transmitted through vaginal or anal sex. The historical significance of STDs is that they can have negative impacts on the public health that can lead to death in some cases. Healthy People 2010 objective One of the main objectives of Healthy People 2010 is related with giving opportunity to formulate strategies in prevention of among other diseases, HIV and other related STDs. The main aim would be to prevent the spread of such diseases as STDs as a way of promoting a healthy population. The other objective would involve the promotion of healthy behaviour among the people. Treatment Modalities The effects of STDs are often disastrous and thus may impact negatively on public health hence prevention is seen as more ideal than cure in such cases. Peer pressure is one of the major causes of the transmission of STDs among teens. In most cases, there is a tendency among teens of doing certain things such as sexual indulgence for the sake of pleasing their peers and being hero-worshiped which often put their health at risk. Under certain circumstances, the youths would indulge in such behaviour under the influence of drugs and alcohol. Peer education would be the most valuable remedy in the fight against transmission of STDs as it would inculcate awareness of the risks associated with such behaviour as sexual indulgence. Educating the teens about the importance of abstinence, that is no sex before marriage, would go a long way in combating the spread of STDs. The use of latex condoms in case of those who are sexually active would be one of the most effective ways of minimising the spread of STDs among the teens who are more vulnerable in most cases. Condom use has to be correct and consistent all the time hence the need to have correct information that may not mislead the youths into risky behaviour. Voluntary counselling and testing is another effective way of stopping the spread of STDs. Somebody who knows his or her health status, especially HIV would be in a better position to take safety precautions with reference to sexual indulgence than somebody who does not. Therefore, counselling is always important in all cases. Conclusion Over and above, it can be noted that STDs are communicable diseases that are in most cases transmitted through intimate activities. They are serious health problems that can lead to infertility if left untreated and even death in the cases of a person contracting HIV/AIDS. STDs can be prevented especially through peer education that promotes abstinence or safe sex such as the use of condoms. Voluntary counselling and testing is another effective way of mitigating the chances of the spread of STDs. References Josephine Polifroni, STD Facts: Chlamydia in teens Retrieved 23 Jan. 09 from http://kidshealth.org/teen/infections/stds/std.html Larissa Hirsh, About Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) Retrieved 23 Jan. 09 from http://kidshealth.org/teen/infections/stds/std.html Sarah L Guerry MD, Adolescent Girls and Reproductive Health: STDs and Teen Pregnancy. Retrieved 23 Jan. 09 from http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/owh/Summit2007/Presentations/Sarah%20Guerry%20I.pdf Sexually Transmitted Diseases Hamper Development (1997) Accessed 23 Jan. 09 from http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/ib_std.html Tim Leah (2008), The History of STDS Retrieved 23 January 2009 from http://www.isnare.com/?aid=308529&ca=Sexuality [ American Social Health Association, Chlamydia Infections Retrieved 23 Jan. 09 from http://www.ashastd.org/learn/learn_chlamydia_facts.cfm?gclid=CMTLqtWqpJgCFYwh3godi1JgnQ Healthy People 2010, A systematic Approach to health Improvement Retrieved 23 Jan. 09 from http://www.healthypeople.gov/document/html/uih/uih_2.htm Read More