Human Sexuality

Module 6 Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) PSYC 360 Human Sexuality Seminar

Objectives At the end of the module the student will:

You will be able to explain STDs and their consequences and analyze the severe impact that lack of information and stigma about the issue can have on society in the short and long term.

You will be able to develop educational material to inform the general population about STDs and their effect on mental health, and advocate for its inclusion in sex education programs aimed at children, adolescents, and adults.

 STDs are a public health problem in most developed societies in the world. Ignorance and rejection of the subject can take a great emotional, physical and financial toll on individuals and the community at large. Discussion of these diseases or infections is an important part of any course on human sexuality and should be included in the sex education provided to adolescents as well.

 This module provides an introduction to the topic of STDs and how mismanagement and lack of prevention has severe effects on individuals and communities. It also discusses information related to the origin of STDs, the most common infections, relevant statistics, treatments and intervention programs.

Introduction

 It is important to clarify that the better-known term is sexually transmitted disease (STD). But there has been a recent change to call it sexually transmitted infection (STI). Both refer to the same thing.

 STDs are infectious diseases that are transmitted from person to person through sexual contact. Millions of new cases occur each year, and the majority of new infections in the United States occur between the ages of 15 and 24.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases or Infections

 The only completely safe way to prevent an STD is sexual abstinence, including avoiding all sexual contact (oral, vaginal and anal).

o To reduce the likelihood of contracting an STD, it is recommended:

• Be in an exclusive (monogamous) relationship where both were tested for STDs before having sexual contact.

• Use condoms (male or female) correctly every time you have sexual contact (condoms are not 100% safe, some STDs can be transmitted even if used correctly).

• Avoid sexual activity at an early age.

• Frequent testing.

• Learn more about STDs and know how to recognize symptoms to seek immediate treatment. Some STDs can be easily cured, others have no cure yet.

STD Protection

Most Common STDs:

This list includes some of the most common STDs, but there are many more examples. Some STDs cannot be cured, such as HIV and HPV.

HIV

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)

Clamidia

Gonorrhea

Genital herpes

Syphilis

ETS: Stigma and Discrimination

 Negative stigma is created when prejudice comes from labeling an individual as part of a group that is considered socially unacceptable.

• Some examples of stigma associated with STDs:

• Believing that only homosexuals contract HIV.

• Judging a person for having syphilis.

• Thinking that people who have an STD deserve it because of their sexual behavior.

• Associate the person's value with his or her sexual behavior or STD diagnosis.

 Mental health experts have an ethical and social responsibility to avoid stigma and prejudice in their professional performance.

 Discrimination refers to behaviors that result from negative stigma. It is the act of treating badly or differently those groups that have a negative stigma.

o Some examples of discrimination associated with STDs:

• A mental health professional who refuses to see a client because he or she is HIV positive.

• A physician who will not see a patient because he or she has gonorrhea or HIV.

• Socially isolating a person for having herpes, or thinking they have an STD because of their sexual behavior.

• Making offensive and hurtful comments about the person for having AIDS.

 Stigma and discrimination affect people's mental health and emotional well-being. It can cause fear of seeking medical help, feelings of shame, isolation and hopelessness.

ETS: Stigma and Discrimination

STDs and Their Consequences

Bacterial vaginosis

• Occurs when there are too many bacteria in the vagina and changes the normal balance of bacteria.

• Common in women aged 15-44 years. • It is not known what causes it, but it occurs mainly in sexually active

women. • There may be no symptoms.

Clamidia

• It is common in both men and women and can be easily cured. • If left untreated, it can cause infertility in women. • Infection in a pregnant woman has high risks to the fetus. • Most people have no symptoms, it is diagnosed with laboratory tests.

Gonorrhea

• It is common in both men and women and can be cured with appropriate medications.

• It can cause infection in the genitals, rectum and throat. • It is very common in young people between 15-24 years old. • May have no symptoms.

Stds and Their Consequences

Genital herpes

• It is an infection caused by two types of viruses (HSV-1 and HSV-2). HSV-1 is responsible for oral herpes around the mouth.

• Most people with oral herpes were infected without sexual contact, as children or adolescents, by contact with saliva from someone infected.

• It is very common in the United States, approximately 1 in 6 people between the ages of 14-49 years. • Herpes has no cure, only medication for management.

HIV/AIDS

• People with HIV are more likely to contract other STDs. • HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) attacks the immune system. If left untreated, it can develop into

AIDS. • There is no effective cure at this time. But it can be controlled and people who take proper care of

themselves can lead regular lives with sexual contact. • HIV comes from animals; it is believed that humans came into contact with the virus by handling the

infected blood of monkeys while trying to hunt them.

Human papillomavirus

(HPV)

• It is the most common STD, and has several types; some can cause cancer, others cause genital warts.

• HPV vaccines can protect against some types of cancer. • HPV can cause cancer of the cervix, vulva, throat, vagina, penis or anus. It is one of the most

dangerous and common STDs.

Stds and Their Consequences

Pelvic inflammatory

disease

• It is an infection of the female reproductive organs. It is a complication commonly caused by the presence of other STDs, such as chlamydia and gonorrhea.

• When diagnosed in the early stages, it can be managed with medication. But treatment may not be able to repair the damage done to the reproductive organs.

Sífilis

• Infection that can cause serious health problems if not managed correctly. • Infection is divided into primary, secondary, latent and tertiary stages.

Patients in the tertiary stage are the most affected, as the infection can affect their heart, brain (neurosyphilis), and other body organs.

Tricomoniasis

• One of the most common STDs and is caused by infection with a parasite.. • It can be cured with medical treatment. • May increase the risk of contracting other STDs and affect pregnancy.

STD Statistics in Puerto Rico and the United States

Puerto Rico (2016) United States (2019)

• Chlamydia: 7,198 positive cases were reported.

• Gonorrhea: 743 positive cases were reported.

• Syphilis: 1,179 positive cases were reported.

• Congenital syphilis: 4 positive cases. • Genital herpes: 2,183 positive cases

were reported.

• Chlamydia: 1.8 million cases reported.

• Gonorrhea: 616,392 reported cases. • Syphilis: 129,813 cases reported. • Congenital syphilis: 1,870 cases

reported.

In general, prevention and control of STDs or STIs focuses on five main strategies: • Accurate and objective risk assessment, as well as education and

counseling for at-risk individuals, with a focus on prevention methods through changes in sexual behaviors and the use of preventive services.

• Emphasis on vaccination for STIs that can be prevented by this type of method.

• Identify persons with asymptomatic infections and persons with any symptoms associated with an STD/STI.

• Effective diagnosis, treatment, counseling, and follow-up for people suffering from an STD or STI.

• Evaluation, treatment and counseling for sexual partners of persons suffering from an STD or STI.

Treatment

You are encouraged to watch the following lectures to learn more about the topics in this module:

Insights on HIV, in stunning data visuals

https://www.ted.com/talks/hans_rosling_insights_on_hiv_in_stunning_

data_visuals

Talking to Teens and Young Adults About Sexually Transmitted Infections

https://youtu.be/K3WRLxOgOEQ

Drug-Resistant Gonorrhea: An Urgent Public Health Issue

https://youtu.be/iFwlnljV2Go

What is HPV and how can you protect yourself from it?

https://www.ted.com/talks/emma_bryce_what_is_hpv_and_how_can_y

ou_protect_yourself_from_it

Summary In this sixth module we work with sexually transmitted diseases or infections to

understand their consequences on physical and mental health. This topic is very

relevant in the area of study of human sexuality, and it is important that behavioral

experts seek to continue learning about these topics in order to provide a better

service in the environment in which they work professionally. The student is

encouraged to relate the topic of this module to the previous module to highlight the

importance of sexual education that includes a focus on these infections.

In the next module we shift the focus to laws, social influences and the concept of

justice in sexuality issues.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; 2019. https://www.cdc.gov/std/statistics/2019/default.htm

CDC — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2008, November 28). “Abortion Surveillance — United States, 2005.” Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 57 (SS-13). [Online]. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/ss5713a1.htm.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2021). HIV Stigma and Discrimination. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/hiv-stigma/index.html

Johns Hopkins Medicine. (2021). Sexually transmitted diseases. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/sexually- transmitted-diseases

References