Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Concept and Etiology: How does the disease affect the
reproductive and urinary systems in particular? How does it
deviate from the definition of health discussed in Module One?
The phrase "sexually transmitted disease" (STD) refers to an
illness that can be spread from one person to another by sexual
interaction with another person (Workowski & Berman, 2010).
Having unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral intercourse with
someone who has an STD can transmit the disease to the
unprotected partner. However, this does not imply that sex is
the only mode of transmission for STDs. Depending on the
exact STD, infections can also be spread through sharing
needles or other reasons.
STDs can adversely affect the urinary system. It can cause pain
or burn with urination and urine murky, black, or odd-smelling
(Workowski & Berman, 2010).
STDs can harm the reproductive organs and result in infertility.
The spread of STDs up the reproductive system can cause
infertility by damaging, scarring, or inflaming the woman's
uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes if left untreated.
Classification
STDs involve almost every sort of infection, such as
Bacterial, Viral, and Parasitic. Bacterial STDs include chlamydia,
gonorrhea, and syphilis. Viral STDs include HIV, genital herpes,
genital warts (HPV), and hepatitis B. Trichomoniasis is caused
by a parasite
Clinical Manifestations (signs and symptoms)
I. Skin irritation or blisters in the vaginal area, as well as in the
oral and rectal areas.
II. Urination that is painful or scorching.
III. Penis discharge is the discharge of the penis.
IV. Vaginal discharge that is unusual or odorous.
V. Vaginal bleeding is out of the ordinary.
VI. Experiencing discomfort during sex.
VII. Inflamed lymph nodes, which are most commonly found in the
groin but can also be found elsewhere.
VIII. Lower abdominal discomfort.
Diagnostic Test
I. Blood Tests - HIV and syphilis can be diagnosed by blood tests
II. Urine Sample - A urine sample can confirm some sexually
transmitted infections (STIs).
III. Fluid Samples - Several STDs can be detected using fluid and
tissue samples from open genital sores.
The first scholarly article review is based on renal cell carcinoma.
RCC arises when cancer cells begin to grow uncontrollably in the
lining of the kidney's tubules, resulting in the formation of tumors.
Even though RCC is not a sexually transmitted disease, it does
fertility in both males and females. Treatment for RCC may impair
male and female fertility.
The second peer-reviewed article is on the topic of Candidiasis. Also
known as "yeast infection," Candidiasis is a fungal infection (Vazquez
& Sobel, 2011). Usually, healthy women have only a few numbers in
their vaginal tissue. Increased yeast infections can be caused by
various factors, including tight clothes, extreme obesity, warm
weather, stress, antibiotics, birth control pills, pregnancy, diabetes,
and steroids. Candidiasis is not an STD. However, it does have a
negative impact on reproduction. Several studies have suggested
that fungi can interfere with sperm function and the female
reproductive tract (Vazquez & Sobel, 2011).
References
Rini, B. I., Campbell, S. C., & Escudier, B. (2009). Renal cell
carcinoma. The Lancet, 373(9669), 1119–1132.
Vazquez, J. A., & Sobel, J. D. (2011). Candidiasis. In Essentials of
clinical mycology (pp. 167–206). Springer.
Workowski, K. A., & Berman, S. M. (2010). Sexually transmitted
diseases treatment guidelines, 2010.
