Sexually Transmitted Diseases

The program Healthy People 2020 has got several goals. Among them one can name the improvement of quality of life, creation of environments that are both physically and socially health promoting, and attainment of equity in the access to health services. Many researches have been done and a lot of topics have been covered in order to attain these objectives. In particular, one of the issues studied is sexually transmitted diseases as it is of great importance to have a deep understanding of the mentioned illnesses in order to prevent and manage them within the human population.

Nature of Sexually Transmitted Diseases

In order for a disease under consideration to be transmitted from one person to another, sexual intercourse has to take place. In fact, unprotected act leads to the spread of the illness from the infected person to the sexual partner (Mason-Jones et al., 2016). Most individuals get infected and remain unaware of it for a long period of time, and they discover they are ill after the disease has progressed into a fatal stage. Others get to know that they are infected but due to ignorance and laziness, they do not seek medical care. In general, some of the main reasons as to why most people do not realize that they have got a sexually transmitted disease include the absence of any symptoms or signs of illness or the occasional display of very mild symptoms and signs that are not clear to the sick individuals (Tibbits & Siahpush, 2017).

In addition, a sexually transmitted disease can either be acute or, if untreated over a long period of time, it becomes chronic. Moreover, the fact that it is uncured makes it easier to be transmitted or turned into a viral infection. Some of these infections include the human immunodeficiency virus which causes AIDS, the human papilloma virus leading to the development of cervical cancer, and the type 2 herpes simplex virus which brings about the appearance of genital ulcers. Sadly, a killer disease like the human immunodeficiency virus gets easily transmitted in case of one sexual partner suffering from the infection (Mason-Jones et al., 2016). Consequently, an individual requires the treatment of any sexually transmitted disease before it spreads and causes serious harm in the body.

Size and Scope of the Issue

The Affected People

Adolescents and other young people contribute to more than half of the American population infected with sexually transmitted diseases with young ladies and women demonstrating the higher number of cases amongst the young population due to their bodily nature (Tibbits & Siahpush, 2017). First of all, it can be explained by their active involvement in sexual activities. Their stage in life predisposes them to have regular sexual relationships for entertainment or as a part of various lifestyle practices. Furthermore, drug abuse is another factor contributing to the issue. Therefore, with increased sexual activity and impaired judgments due to intake of drugs, a lot of cases of sexually transmitted diseases are reported. Lastly, a lack of sexual knowledge also leads to the problem (Mason-Jones et al., 2016). The youth do not possess the required information, and as a result, they practice unsafe sex hence easily contracting the sexually transmitted diseases.

The Subgroups at the Greatest Risk

Individuals who abuse addictive substances especially alcohol and injectable drugs have increased risk of acquiring sexually transmitted infections (Mason-Jones et al., 2016). The tendency can be explained by poor sexual judgment and shared needles. Additionally, sex workers who practice unsafe sex tend to transmit and catch the infections under analysis from the customers. Furthermore, individuals having multiple sex partners demonstrate an increased risk of being infected. Lastly, travelers often use services provided by sex workers and other entertainment service providers. It means that their lifestyle predisposes them to easily acquiring sexually transmitted diseases.

The Main Risk Factors

Undoubtedly, the practice of sex that is unprotected increases the chances of body fluid interchange hence contacting a sexually transmitted disease. Moreover, high number of sexual partners also predisposes an individual to acquiring an illness under consideration (Tibbits & Siahpush, 2017). Additionally, drug abuse especially the use of injectable drugs encourages an individual to share the needles and make irrational sexual judgments. This in return leads to the practice of unsafe sex. Finally, untreated sexually transmitted diseases will progress to other stages and promote the spread of the illness (Mason-Jones et al., 2016).

Areas Most Infested with Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Places inhabited by lower economic class individuals have higher rates of sexually transmitted diseases. The first reason of this is the easily available and cheap sexual activities. The lack of sexual knowledge among these people worsens the situation causing new cases of being infected (Mason-Jones et al., 2016). In addition, institutions where young adults and adolescents live also show higher numbers of people catching the mentioned diseases. The reason behind this is because of the hyperactive lifestyles the youth have. Lastly, recreational and entertainment areas have tourists use services of sex workers that contributes to the spread of the illnesses.

Effects of Sexually Transmitted Diseases

After being infected with a sexually transmitted disease, an individual undergoes several changes in the body. Some effects are common while others depend on the gender of the ill person. One of the impacts associated with the given diseases is pain (Mason-Jones et al., 2016). Its intensity increases with the progression of the illness if there is no medical intervention applied. Moreover, the disease always advances to other stages if the individual does not take any medication or seek medical help. This leads to more complex effects like infertility for women. In cases of pregnancy, infants are born with some birth defects like eye infections. Miscarriages resulting from sexually transmitted diseases can also cause death to both the infant and the mother if not well handled by a medical practitioner (Tibbits & Siahpush, 2017). Some diseases always progress and enter the brain system damaging it together with the other organs such as a heart or a liver. One can also experience dissemination of the disease within the blood system in cases of an untreated sexually transmitted illness. Lastly, a death can occur if the disease under consideration is not medically treated (Mason-Jones et al., 2016). One of the causes of death may be a serious blood loss due to bleeding.

Solutions for Reducing the Issue

One of the safest and best ways of reducing the spread of sexually transmitted diseases is through the use of a condom during sex. It will always prevent the exchange or mixing of body fluids during sexual intercourse (Mason-Jones et al., 2016). It is through body fluids that the pathogens that cause sexually transmitted diseases are passed from one individual to another. Additionally, people are encouraged to be on the look-out concerning any abnormal or irregular symptoms and signs regarding their health and sexual organs. Regular medical check-ups will help in early identification of any health abnormality. To continue, having one sexual partner will reduce the risk of catching an illness under analysis. Moreover, avoiding of substance abuse especially alcohol and injectable drugs will help to avoid the problem. Finally, vaccinations against the human papillomavirus and hepatitis B can be helpful since they are sexually transmitted.

Personal View on the Solutions

I agree with the above mentioned solutions of the issues since unprotected sex usually leads to contracting a sexually transmitted disease. Thus, the use of a condom enhances safe sex. Furthermore, avoidance of drug abuse ensures an individual is always in the sober mind hence making the right sexual judgments. Limiting the number of sexual partners to one will also assist in fighting the spread of the diseases.

Nevertheless, I also believe that the counseling must also be applied to deal with the problem. This process can impact necessary knowledge in individuals especially adolescents and young adults who are having a sexually active lifestyle (Mason-Jones et al., 2016). Further education on behavioral change can help people to live safer lives free of sexually transmitted diseases and unplanned pregnancies. Proper guidance and counseling programs aid in reducing the rates of spread of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. Moreover, information on how to have a better sexual life and choose a right partner can be offered in order to save the young generation from suffering from sexually transmitted diseases. In addition, authorities have to design and distribute special disease management protocols for those infected that will be very helpful. Lastly, the societal groups at risk especially sex workers need to be well educated and provided with condoms that are in good condition (Tibbits & Siahpush, 2017). Teachings on how to handle their sex customers will reduce the cases of sexually transmitted diseases.

Conclusion

In summary, sexually transmitted diseases are mostly spread through the practice of unprotected sex. Individuals especially the adolescents and young adults who are having a more active sex lifestyle need to be well counseled on the issue. The use of condoms, a limited number of sexual partners, avoiding abusing drugs, and having regular medical check-ups will lower incidences of sexually transmitted diseases. There is a great hope to decrease the rates of the cases involving the illnesses under analysis in the coming years. It can become possible due to the awareness programs on the safe practice of sexual intercourse.

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