What parents should know about sexually transmitted diseases

By Donya Betancourt

Since teenagers are not immune to sexually transmitted diseases, parents should be well-informed of the diseases along with causes, symptoms and treatment.

This is the last of two articles discussing teenagers and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The writer is a pediatrician based in Sanur, Bali. Questions? Contact her at drdonya@hotmail.com or features@thejakartapost.com

SANUR, Bali (JP): After discussing a few common questions parents can answer for their children, it is also crucial to know more about STDs and their causes, symptoms and possible treatment to prevent any misunderstanding.

This week we will learn about some STDs, like chlamydia, genital herpes, genital warts, gonorrhea, syphilis, trichomoniasis, pubic lice (crabs), hepatitis B (HBV), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), pelvic inflammatory disease.

Chlamydia is an STD that is caused by bacteria called chlamydia trachomatis. Apart from sexual contact, chlamydia can also enter the body through the eyes -- if a person touches body fluids that contain the bacteria and then touches his or her eye, he or she may get chlamydia.

Chlamydia can cause an unusual vaginal discharge, pain when urinating, pain in lower abdomen, pain during sexual intercourse, or bleeding between periods.

A man may have a discharge from his penis or an itching, burning sensation around the uretha opening. Often the person infected may have few or no symptoms, meaning a person can have the infection without knowing it.

If it is left untreated, chlamydia can cause infection in the urethra and swelling, soreness of the cervix and can spread to become pelvic inflammatory disease, which can cause infertility.

The disease can be treated with antibiotics, after which it should clear up in one to two weeks. For those who have the disease, your partner should also be treated.

Genital herpes (herpes simplex virus, HSV) is a viral infection that causes outbreaks of painful sores or blisters on the genitals, buttocks, thighs or mouth.

There are two types of herpes. In HSV-1, the sores usually start on the mouth but can spread to the genitals. It can be transmitted through towels, eating utensils or razors. One can catch HSV-1 from kissing someone with a cold sore.

HSV-2 is usually the cause of genital infection and is transmitted through sexual contact -- not from towels, razors or toilet seats. The sores start as red bumps, then turn to red and watery blisters, causing pain during urination. After the sores disappear, it remains dormant in the body. When the virus reactivates, the sores will reappear.

It is also possible to give herpes to another person when symptoms are not present. Men experience pain in their testicles, then the sores appear on the genitals, thighs or buttocks. The entire genital area may feel very tender and painful.

Genital herpes increases the risk of HIV infection because the virus enters the body more easily when there is a sore present.

For pregnant women with active herpes, the virus can cause illness, seizures and brain damage in a newborn. There is no cure for genital herpes, but a doctor can prescribed antiviral medicine to help control the virus and clear up the painful sores.

Genital warts (human papilloma virus, HPV) are like warts found elsewhere on the body, such as those you see on people's hands and feet, only these are not STDs.

Genital warts can be transmitted during intimate sexual contact -- not through towels or toilet seats. There are numerous strains of HPV, all of which can cause itchy bumps that look like tiny cauliflower. If they start to grow bigger, they will appear in or around the genitals or anus. It is quite dangerous in women because it can cause problems in the cervix and lead to cervical cancer. Doctors can remove warts by "freezing" them with a chemical or laser treatment.

Gonorrhea is an infection from Neisseria gonorrhea bacteria that can produce a greenish or yellowish discharge from the genitals, a burning sensation when urinating, fever, abnormal vaginal bleeding and pelvic pain in women.

Men are much more likely to experience symptoms earlier than women, such as a burning sensation when urinating. Pus may also ooze out of the tip of the penis.

Men may experience symptoms from two days to two weeks after exposure, while women may get symptoms one to three weeks after exposure.

It is quite possible for a person to have gonorrhea and not know it. Gonorrhea can become a systemic infection (spread throughout the body), causing fever, skin lesions and joint infection (arthritis).

Gonorrhea can be very dangerous if it is left untreated. In women, the infection can move to the uterus and fallopian tubes and cause scarring which may result in infertility. Gonorrhea during pregnancy can cause fetal and newborn problems, such as stillbirth, blindness or meningitis. In men, gonorrhea can spread to the epididymis (structure that helps transport sperm) and cause scarring and sterility. Gonorrhea is treated with antibiotics. Your partner should be treated too.

Syphilis is an infection that can spread from the genitals throughout the body. At primary stage, painless sores appear in the genital area, rectum or mouth within 10 days to six weeks after exposure. This is often followed by fever, sore throat, headache or joint pain. Secondary stage -- a week to six months later -- a red rash may appear anywhere on skin. Third stage, after years of exposure, heart and mental deterioration occurs.

Syphilis can be completely cured if diagnosis is made early and the infection is treated. Left untreated, the disease can lead to death. In pregnant women, it can be transmitted to the fetus, causing deformities and death.

Trichomoniasis is a parasitic infection of the genitals that can produce a foul-smelling vaginal discharge and genital pain in women. Most men with this infection do not have symptoms. When symptoms are present, there is a discharge from the urethra and a burning sensation during urination.

Pubic lice is an infestation of small parasites that causes redness and itching around the genitals.

Hepatitis B is a disease of the liver caused by viral infection that primarily affects the liver. Hepatitis B transmits from person to person through blood and other body fluids; sexual contact, needle sharing. A pregnant woman can pass hepatitis B to her unborn baby.

Hepatitis B symptoms include severe fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, abdominal tenderness, jaundice and may cause urine to appear brownish or tea-colored.

Symptoms show about one to five months after contact, although some people may not have any symptoms until the disease is well advanced. Some have few or no symptoms and can still transmit to others. Some people continue to carry the virus in their bodies and are contagious for the rest of their lives. If you have symptoms, a doctor will do a blood test. Rest is necessary, other than that there is no real treatment for hepatitis B.

HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. Symptoms can take years to develop and include frequent infections, fever, night sweats, swollen glands and fatigue. Eventually, AIDS is fatal.

If you notice, almost all STDs have few symptoms -- symptoms include a discharge from vagina or urethra and burning sensation during urination, but some people get no symptoms at all. Prevention is the best weapon, and latex condoms are helpful for this. If you are sexually active, you should be checked regularly by a doctor.