Venereal diseases in Singapore range from serious dangers like HIV to nuisances like genital warts. Safer sex can help to prevent these issues.
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Venereal diseases (VD) are a group of infections also known as sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The term encompasses a huge range of diseases, some of which are serious health dangers and others of which are mere nuisances. Some can be cured and others cannot.
HIV and Hepatitis B
The most dangerous venereal diseases are these two viral infections. Both can be transmitted by unprotected sex, but can also be transmitted in infected blood (such as by sharing needles); hepatitis B can also be transmitted in saliva. HIV infects the cells of the immune system, destroying the body’s defenses against other infections; it’s fatal if untreated, and although it can be managed, the medications must be taken for the rest of the patient’s life. Hepatitis B infects liver cells, which can cause liver failure, liver cancer, or liver scarring (cirrhosis); it can also be managed with medications in some cases.
Syphilis
Syphilis was a major danger in previous centuries. While the advent of penicillin, which easily cures syphilis, removed it as a major cause of death, syphilis can still be a serious disease. In Singapore, syphilis is increasingly frequent. It begins with a sore on the genitals, which may go unnoticed, and can progress into major body systems, including the nervous system and the cardiovascular system. Treatment with penicillin kills the bacteria but does not reverse the damage.
Gonorrhea and Chlamydia
These two diseases are often discussed together, because their symptoms are similar and because they’re often transmitted together. Either disease causes classic VD symptoms like discharge and burning during urination; these diseases can also progress into the deeper reproductive tract, leading to infertility. They’re treatable, but the infertility is often permanent.
Herpes
This viral illness can affect the mouth (where it’s called “cold sores”) or the genitals, and can be transferred from one to the other. Once acquired, it generally remains in the body for life, causing repeated bouts of sores. Medication can help to control the outbreaks, but can’t cure the viral infection.
Trichomoniasis
This infection is caused by a single-celled parasite that can only live in the human genital tract. It causes a fishy-smelling discharge and itching. It’s easily cured with medication.
Genital Warts
Caused by a virus called HPV, genital warts are benign growths around the genital or anal area. The warts can be removed by a simple office procedure or with topical treatments, but the HPV infection will remain. HPV is cleared by the body on its own, but this can take longer than a year in many cases. Other strains of HPV cause cervical cancer in women. In Singapore, HPV is so common that nearly every sexually active adult will encounter it at some point.
Prevention
Most VD can be prevented through using condoms every time you have any type of sex. This isn’t a perfect solution, because some diseases, like herpes and syphilis, can be spread by parts of the skin that aren’t covered by the condom. Abstinence from sexual activity, or maintaining a mutually monogamous sexual relationship, are the only sure ways to avoid getting VD.
References
Venereal disease at Shim Clinic, Singapore