Detecting Syphilis
Although during the 1990’s the rates of syphilis declined, recently the number of cases has been on the increase and early detection and subsequent cure are important. Although many attribute some of the decisions that were made by Hitler to madness brought on by the disease, not much data is available to support this. However, if syphilis is left untreated the disease can affect other organs of the body, including the central nervous system.
In the early stages, it just appears as a round and painless rash which can heal itself in 3 to 6 weeks but if left untreated secondary syphilis will develop. Anyone who is sexually active with a new or multiple partners showing signs of these symptoms should, as a matter of urgency, seek to have a confidential test which is confidential and unobtrusive.
Why are STDs so common?
It is a fact that STDs are one of the most difficult diseases to catch, it is necessary to be close and very personal to stand any chance of getting one at all. The disease causing organism that is transmitted from one person to another is primarily through sexual contact, which can be oral, vaginal or anal, but not all diseases that affect the sex organs are sexually transmitted. In can be that some STDs are not contracted directly through sex but associated with it. An example of this would be that women are more prone to urinary tract infections (UTI) when they are sexually active, not because their partners infect them during sex, but because of irritation of the urethra during sex.
Whatever the reason for the infection it is vital that detection and subsequent treatment for the problem is sought quickly to avoid problems developing further. Getting to know about the problem early is simple and there are many local centres where confidentiality is guaranteed. There is one near to you.
What is Chlamydia?
The most common and the most curable STD has to be Chlamydia, this affects the cervix in women and the penile urethra in a man. The common disease is easily detectable and simple screening tests can be arranged at clinics which are local to you. It can be advantages to visit a private clinic where full screening can be offered, useful if you are particularly sexually active or have multiple sexual partners.
One of the main reasons why Chlamydia is so common is that most people who get this disease may not have symptoms for weeks, months and it has been known, years, these symptoms can take the form of pain during sex, and discharge from the penis or vagina. It is important to have screening if you believe that you may have been exposed to Chlamydia or have experienced any of the symptoms mentioned. In all cases though, prevention is better than cure and latex condoms are effective in preventing the disease.