Dr.Joe's Data Base

Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and Syphilis

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is the most prevalent STD in the U.S. It is most common among
people in their late teens and early twenties and can coexist with
gonorrhea and other STDs. It is estimated that one in five college students
are infected with Chlamydia. The infection is most commonly transmitted
through sexual intercourse. Babies can also be infected while passing
through the birth canal of an infected mother. If Chlamydia is left
untreated, women can develop Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). There is
also an increased danger of having an ectopic pregnancy if Chlamydia is
left untreated.

People with Chlamydia do not necessarily know that they are infected. Sixty
to eighty percent of women and ten percent of men who have Chlamydia
exhibit no symptoms. In women, symptoms include: genital itching and
burning, vaginal discharge, dull pelvic pain, bleeding between periods, and
cervical inflammation. In men, symptoms include: mucus discharge from the
penis (gradual onset five to twenty-one days after exposure) and painful
urination. Again, these symptoms may be so mild that a man may not notice
them. Treatment with an antibiotic is usually successful. Some people
choose to be retested after the course of treatment has been completed.
Testing for Chlamydia is performed at the Health Center free on request.

Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is one of the most prevalent diseases in the U.S. Gonorrhea is an
infection, caused by bacteria which can be cured with antibiotics. The only
means by which Gonorrhea can be spread is through vaginal, anal, or
oral-genital contact with an infected person. It is impossible to catch
Gonorrhea from toilet seats, towels, drinking cups, etc. that have been
used by an infected person. If Gonorrhea is left untreated, women may
develop Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). If the disease is left untreated
in men, the bacteria may spread to the urethra causing scarring and
sterility. Most women and an increasing number of men exhibit no symptoms
at all. If symptoms do appear, they will be two days to two weeks after you
come into contact with the bacteria.

Gonorrhea is diagnosed by taking a culture of the cervix in women or the
discharge from the penis in men. If oral and/or anal sexual contact has
been made with an infected individual, a culture of these areas will be
taken as well. Treatment is a full-course of antibiotics. It is important
to have follow-up cultures taken seven to fourteen days later to make sure
you have been cured. You should avoid intercourse until two negative
cultures have been taken in a row. If you do have intercourse before two
negative cultures have been taken, use condoms. Avoid oral-genital contact
until the treatment is complete.

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Syphilis

Although less common today than in the past, Syphilis is still an important
STD to be aware of due to the dangerous consequences of contracting the
disease. Syphilis is spread by contact with a syphilitic sore, sexually or
otherwise. Since the disease can be killed with soap or water while it is
present on the skin alone, it is a good idea to wash the genital area after
sex. If the disease is contracted, the first signs will appear 9 to 90 days
after transmission. If untreated, the disease will cause such things as
insanity, blindness, paralysis and even death. Penicillin and similar
antibiotics will cure the disease.