en.aazsante.fr
AIDS and other STDs: what you need to know about them
According to the Ministry of Health, sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs, are considered as one of the major public health problems in the world. The most famous, besides AIDS, are syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, genital herpes and HPV (Human Papillomavirus). But other no less important diseases, such as viral hepatitis and pelvic infections caused by bacteria, are also transmitted by sexual intercourse. Estimates from the Ministry of Health indicate that the most prevalent STD in the Brazilian population is chlamydia, followed by gonorrhea, syphilis, HPV, genital herpes and, finally, AIDS.
The head of the Society's STD Department
AIDS and other STDs: what you need to know about them - what you need to know about them - what you need to know about them - Photo: Getty Images
"You have to check the expiration date of the condom, it should only be opened at the time of use and the ideal is to avoid oily lubricants, such as petroleum jelly, as they can damage the condom. condoms should always be put on and removed from the erect penis, "he says.
He also recommends careful attention not only to the intimate area but also to sexual objects. Chlamydia is a type of infection caused by bacteria that can reach the sex organs of women and men. The disease is quite common among young people and some of their symptoms are painful urination, increased vaginal discharge, bleeding outside the time of menstruation and pain during intercourse. The most serious is that, when left untreated, it can lead to infertility. But beware: in many cases, the disease is completely asymptomatic. Therefore, the recommendation is to regularly consult a specialist who will make the diagnosis and initiate appropriate treatment, usually with the use of antibiotics.
Gonorrhea: know how the infection mainly affects the urethra
Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is also an infection caused by bacteria that can infect the cervix, anal canal, throat and eyes. Its symptoms are similar to those caused by chlamydia, and in the same way can manifest as an asymptomatic disease. For pregnant women, the disease is very harmful: women with untreated gonorrhea and chlamydia are likely to contaminate the newborn during delivery. In the first month of life, the infected baby has a chance of developing neonatal ophthalmia, a conjutivite that can lead to blindness. In order to prevent it, the procedure is to apply an eye drop within the first hour after birth.
Syphilis
This is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum, which presents as initial symptoms small wounds in the sexual organs and groin . These lesions do not hurt and scratch. At a later stage, the disease can cause stains on various parts of the body and hair loss. When untreated, syphilis is related to serious complications such as blindness, paralysis, brain disease, and heart problems. Like all STDs, the partner also needs to be treated. It is also recommended to take care during pregnancy, because syphilis can cause miscarriage and be transmitted to the newborn, causing malformation of the fetus. Therefore, it is important to get tested for the disease even during prenatal care.
Cervical cancer
HPV (condyloma acuminata)
HPV is an STD that can be caused by more than 150 types of Human Papillomavirus. Some of these microorganisms are closely related to the onset of cancer in the cervix and anus. The main symptom of the disease is the onset of warts on the genitals and lesions in the cervix, but in most cases it is an asymptomatic disease.The diagnosis of HPV is made by a Pap smear, prescribed annually by the gynecologist. Dr. Julio José Máximo de Carvalho explains that the treatment varies according to the prognosis and may include elimination of the lesions with electrical cauterization, chemical, laser or with cryotherapy (cold cauterization).
Aids and other STDs: what you need to know about them - Photo: Getty Images
Genital Herpes
a disease also caused by a virus that, despite not being cured, has treatment. Its symptoms include small blisters that turn into sores. After contamination, symptoms may recur due to physical and psychological factors related to low immunity such as stress, fatigue, over exertion, fever, sun exposure, trauma, prolonged use of antibiotics, and menstruation. In the presence of any sign or symptom of this STD, the recommendation is to seek a specialist as soon as possible. It will indicate the best form of treatment.
AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome)
AIDS is a syndrome caused by the HIV virus that attacks the immune system, responsible for defending the body from diseases. The virus carrier, called HIV-positive, may be years without developing the syndrome, but in this period is able to transmit it to other people. Therefore, prevention through condom use is so important.
Carvalho explains that AIDS affects more men globally than women - the ratio is two cases for one - in the age group of 30 to 49 years. Still according to the expert, this is explained by the fact that the man usually has a greater number of sexual partnerships than the women. "HIV is also more easily transmitted from man to woman during sex," he explains.
The number of infected women, however, is higher among young people in the 13-19 age group and has been increasing significantly in the elderly . Although not curable, many advances in medicine have allowed the HIV virus to keep the infection under control. "We observed better results obtained with an association of antiretroviral drugs, which allowed a higher quality of life with fewer side effects," explains Carvalho.
Microcephaly: Ministry of Health adopts new standard for suspected cases
Health Agency - The Ministry of Health starts adopting, from this Wednesday (09), new parameters to measure the cephalic perimeter and identify suspected cases of infants with microcephaly. For a boy, the measurement will be equal to or less than 31.9 cm and, for a girl, equal to or less than 31.5 cm.
Is it time to go back to school? Remember the children's oral health
As children across the country prepare for the upcoming school year, dentists and pediatricians advise parents to encourage healthier snacks. Children are consuming quantities according to the American Dental Association (ADA) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Health organizations are urging parents to encourage their children to consume nutritious drinks, both at school and at home.
