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 And, if you are a male over 50, you don't need the
information about contraception, unless your wife has not gone through the
menopause and may get pregnant, and you do not want a baby.
Most people don't want the following information, but
statistics tells us that men and women over 50 and even into the 80s and 90s can
be quite sexually active with multiple partners and DO get venereal diseases.
Both men and women can get a sexually transmitted disease at any age - nobody is
immune. At least 20 sexually transmitted diseases (STD's) have now been
identified, and they affect more than 10 million men and women in this country
each year.
 Sexually transmitted diseases (venereal diseases) frequently have no symptoms,
so millions of people won't know they're infected until serious and often
permanent damage has occurred.
Many people do have symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases (STD's) or
venereal diseases. If you or your partner has any of the following signs in the
genital area, see a doctor right away: abnormal or smelly discharges from the
vagina, penis, or rectum; bleeding, blisters, boils, chancres, growths,
irritations, itches, pains, pus, rashes, sores, swelling, tenderness, ulcers, or
warts.
There are other symptoms of venereal diseases, not caused exclusively by sexual
activity, but they are serious and indicate that something is wrong with your
health: arthritic pain, bowel problems, chills, coatings of the mouth and
throat, constipation, coughs, diarrhea, discolored skin, fatigue, feeling run
down, fevers, growths, hair loss, headaches, jaundice, lack of appetite,
lightheadedness, mental disorders, menstrual problems, nausea, night sweats,
constant or rapid unexplained weight loss, swollen glands, urine changes, vision
loss, or vomiting. Again, if you have one of the above symptoms, see your
doctor, particularly if you have been sexually active with a partner you aren't
sure about.
CHLAMYDIA (kla-mid-ee-uh) - is the most prevalent sexually transmitted
disease. It strikes between 3 and 4 million Americans each year. If left
untreated the infection can spread throughout the reproductive system.
Sixty-five percent of infected women have no symptoms. In others, the first
symptoms appear within 14 days, and are a watery, white discharge that causes
discomfort during urination. Men can have inflammation of the urethra and the
epididymis, the long cord behind the testicles that transports sperm. Women may
have irregular bleeding and men may develop prostatitis. It's the leading cause
of pelvic inflammatory disease in women, and it can lead to male and female
sterility.
The treatment of chlamydia is antibiotics--tetracycline, erythromycin, or
doxycycline, taken orally. The cure rate is 95% effective; but, we must remember
that the disease sometimes has no symptoms and can be passed on without a person
knowing that he or she has it.
GONORRHEA - is caused by the gonococcus, a bacterium that grows and
multiplies quickly in moist, warm areas of the body such as the cervix, urinary
tract, mouth, or rectum. Two to eight days after infection, a man will get a
yellowish discharge from a reddened urethra and experience frequent, painful
urination. Women's symptoms may include lower abdominal pain, a whitish vaginal
discharge, abnormal uterine bleeding, and painful urination. But 10% to 30% of
infected men and 70% to 90% of infected women don't have any symptoms.
Gonorrhea can spread and cause complications. Some infected women will develop
pelvic inflammatory disease and inflammation of the fallopian tubes, which can
cause ectopic pregnancy and permanent sterility. Sterility also can develop in
men, and the infection can extend to the prostate and the rectum.
Doctors blast the disease with a minimum one-time dose of 4.8 million units of
penicillin. Ampicillin or amoxicillin are sometimes used. The ingenious
gonococci have mutated their chromosomes so that antibiotics do not have as much
effect. There is increasing concern about the emergence of penicillin-resistant
gonorrhea in this country. Fortunately, spectinomycin or ceftriaxone can be used
to treat resistant strains.
Because gonorrhea is highly contagious and yet may cause no symptoms, all men
and women who have sexual contact with more than one partner should be tested
regularly for the disease. Using condoms during sexual intercourse is very
effective in preventing the spread of infection.
SYPHILIA - is a sexually transmitted disease caused by a spirochete
and passed on by direct contact with infectious sores, rashes, or mucous
patches. The first symptoms appear from 10 to 90 days (usually 3 weeks) after
being infected as a chancre (pronounced "shan-ker"), which is a painless pimple,
blister, or sore that usually appears on the penis or around or in the vagina.
If untreated, syphilis may go on to more advanced stages; the full course of the
disease can take years and be fatal. Penicillin remains the drug most commonly
used to treat syphilis.
GENITAL WARTS (also called venereal warts, or condylomata acuminata)--are
caused by a virus related to the virus that causes common skin warts. Genital
warts usually first appear as small, hard, painless bumps in the vaginal area,
on the penis, or around the anus; if untreated, they may grow and develop a
fleshy, cauliflower-like appearance.
Genital warts infect up to 3 million Americans each year. Scientists believe
that the virus causing genital warts also causes several types of cancer.
Genital warts are generally treated with a topical drug (applied to the skin),
or by freezing. If the warts are very large, they may be removed by surgery.
GENITAL HERPES - is a recurrent viral disease that affects an
estimated 30 million Americans. Approximately 500,000 new cases of this
incurable infection develop annually. The major symptoms of herpes infection are
painful blisters or open sores in the genital area. These may be preceded by a
tingling or burning sensation in the legs, buttocks, or genital region.
The herpes sore usually disappears within two to three weeks, but the virus
remains in the body and the lesions may recur from time to time. The recurring
episodes are usually not as severe as the first episode. Genital herpes is now
treated with acyclovir (trade name Zovirax), an antiviral drug available by
prescription; it helps control the symptoms but does not eliminate the herpes
virus from the body.
AIDS - Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome --was first reported in
the U.S. in 1981. It is caused by a virus that destroys the body's ability to
fight off infection. People who have AIDS are therefore very susceptible to many
diseases, called opportunistic infections, and to certain forms of cancer.
The virus is present in body fluids such as blood, semen, and vaginal
secretions. It also has been found in saliva and tears. Transmission of the
virus primarily occurs by intimate contact with semen during sexual activity and
by sharing of needles used to inject intravenous drugs. The virus is generally
fatal.
AIDS may be prevented by using condoms during sexual intercourse (although not
100% effective) with an infected person and by not sharing needles to inject
intravenous drugs. The U.S. Public Health Service has a toll-free hotline number
for persons with questions about AIDS: 1-800-342-2437.
Prevention and Treatment
 The best way to avoid getting a sexually transmitted disease is to not have sex.
No sex, no transmission. Among those who are monogamous, there is no need to
refrain from sex. The chances of getting a sexually transmitted disease are
slight. If you are not monogamous, experts recommend that you select your
partners very carefully, and that you make full use of condoms, spermicides, and
diaphragms.
Most sexually transmitted diseases are readily treated, and the earlier a person
seeks treatment and warns sex partners about the disease, the less likely that
the disease will do irreparable physical damage, be spread to others or, in the
case of a woman, be passed on to a newborn baby.
The American Social Health Association (ASHA) provides free information and
keeps lists of clinics and private doctors who provide treatment for people with
sexually transmitted diseases. ASHA has a national toll-free telephone number,
1-800-227-8922. Callers can get information from the ASHA hotline without
leaving their names.
Suggestions for a safe sex life:
Confine sex to a mutually faithful partner.
Be selective when you choose a sex partner. Beware of smooth talkers; have sex
only with a partner who will make you feel secure about health concerns; and
know the name and phone number of your partner.
Limit your number of sex partners. It is safest to have sex with only one person
who is also only having sex with you. Be certain that your partner is mutually
faithful, does not use IV drugs, and is not at risk for sexually transmitted
diseases, including AIDS.
If you do have sex with more than one person or if your partner does, protect
yourself. Always use a latex condom along with spermicide to give yourself the
highest degree of protection.
Talk with your partner about sex before the heat of passion. Don't let your
partner remain silent. Find out about your partner's health and sexual history.
Make conversations about health a natural part of your sexual relationship.
Again, watch out for the smooth talker.
Keep medically fit. If you have sex with more than one person, or if your
partner does, have regular physical checkups and blood tests.
Sex with too much alcohol or mood-altering drugs can be dangerous as it may
lessen your ability to make responsible choices.
If you have been exposed to someone with a sexually transmitted disease, go to
your doctor, clinic, or health department for testing and treatment. Urge your
partner to be treated at the same time. Do not have sex until you and your
partner have been tested and are considered disease-free.
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