Venereal Diseases

5.5 VENEREAL DISEASES

Sexual intercourse can be among the healthiest and most enjoyable experiences in life. Unfortunately, it is sometimes also allowed to become the source of needless misery, suffering, and even death. For example, our society today is still perpetuating and indeed aggravating a serious health problem that could have been eliminated a long time ago: the venereal diseases. The vague and poetic term "venereal diseases" (literally, diseases attributed to Venus) is a euphemism for those contagious diseases that are transmitted through intimate physical contact, especially sexual intercourse. There are, of course, many other diseases that can be transmitted by intimate contact with another person, such as the common cold, smallpox, tuberculosis, and other infectious diseases. Nevertheless, the so-called venereal diseases have been singled out as a distinct group because they are almost always contracted by close contact with a diseased sexual partner, and they usually first affect the sex organs by which this contact has been made. In medical circles, the term "venereal diseases" has now been abandoned in favor of "Sexually Transmitted Diseases" (STDs). However, since this new term is no more precise than the old one, there is no point in adopting it here. After all, as already mentioned, virtually all infectious diseases can be transmitted by close physical contact such as sexual intercourse. The decision as to which of these to include among the STD's is therefore always somewhat arbitrary. The same is true for the category "Sexually Related Diseases" (SRDs), i.e., diseases affecting the sex organs possibly even without direct sexual contact. The various venereal diseases produce very different symptoms but are transmitted the same way: They are caused either by viruses or by germs which thrive in the warm, moist inner surfaces of the body (particularly in the mucous membranes of the sex organs, mouth, and rectum). Outside of this favorable environment, they quickly die. For this simple reason, they cannot be picked up from toilet seats, doorknobs, or similar objects (although in some very rare cases some venereal diseases have been picked up from used towels, underwear, and other clothing). On the other hand, sexual intercourse provides ideal conditions for all of these microorganisms to be transmitted from one person to another. It is very well possible to become infected with several venereal diseases at the same time. While all of them, except herpes, can be cured, there is never an immunity against them. One can catch all venereal diseases again and again. In the United States today, the most common and most dangerous venereal diseases are gonorrhea and syphilis. Both have a long history dating back to ancient times, and for thousands of years nothing could be done about them. They not only remained incurable, but ever-increasing sexual taboos eventually made them unmentionable. Finally, in 1910, the first at least partially effective cure for syphilis was discovered (with Salvarsan, an arsenical compound also known as "606"). Still, it was not until the arrival of penicillin in the 1940s that successful treatment of both syphilis and gonorrhea could be assured. Nevertheless, it is now apparent that this scientific breakthrough was not enough. There also has to be a drastic change in society's attitudes. In the past, when venereal diseases were poorly understood, they were often seen as a moral rather than a medical problem. Intolerant minds called them "the wages of sin" and believed them to be the just punishment of debauchery. According to this philosophy, "nice" people did not get venereal diseases. It was also believed that a young person should not learn too much about them. Fear and ignorance were supposed to keep him chaste. There was even the opinion that a successful cure could only encourage sexual license and would thereby undermine the moral health of society. Compared to this danger the threat to people's physical health seemed somehow less important. These and similar misguided views often led to irresponsible public policies for which we are paying a heavy price today. Moreover, in recent years the invention of new contraceptive methods has reduced the use of condoms which had always helped somewhat in the prevention of venereal diseases. Finally, inefficient self-treatment by ignorant patients in some parts of the world has contributed to the development of new and stronger strains of gonorrhea which, in our age of increasing travel, are quickly spread to other countries. These and other factors have now produced what can only be called a venereal disease epidemic. This epidemic is hurting young people most of all. The greatest increase in reported infections is among teenagers. Because of inadequate education, they are often totally ignorant about the causes and symptoms of venereal disease. Consequently, many of them do not realize that they have become infected and thus may infect others. Some young people are also too afraid or embarrassed to seek treatment because they do not want their parents to find out that they had sexual intercourse. (In a number of states, a physician is not allowed to treat a minor for venereal disease without informing the parents.) However, the consequences of an untreated venereal disease are much worse than any momentary family crisis. Fortunately, free tests and treatment for venereal disease are offered by departments of health in most cities. Such treatment always remains completely confidential. Nevertheless, every doctor is required by law to report any case of venereal disease to the appropriate public health agency. This is necessary in order to trace contacts who might also need treatment. Naturally, their privacy is protected as well. The fight against venereal disease can still be won if everybody cooperates with those measures. Obviously, people who have become infected must immediately stop having sexual intercourse until they are cured or are no longer infectious. They should also ask their partners to get tests and, if necessary, treatment. Beyond such individual contributions, however, the most important task is this: Our society as a whole must make sure that every sexually mature person, including teenagers, learns the facts about venereal disease.


Fortunately, in recent years much progress has been made toward that goal. For example, the National Community Service Corps has established a national hotline that can be called toll-free from anywhere in the United States. It is operated mostly by teenagers who are well informed about the venereal diseases and who can give advice as to where to go for free examination and treatment in each community. This telephone service is available during regular business hours. The number is 1 (800) 462-4966.


Remember:

 -Venereal diseases are dangerous.

 -You can have a venereal disease without having any symptoms.

 -You can have several venereal diseases at the same time.

 -Venereal diseases can easily be cured if treated early.

 -Free tests and treatment are offered by your local department of health.

 -All treatment for venereal diseases remains completely confidential.

 -Self-treatment is ineffective.

 -You can catch venereal diseases again and again.


The following paragraphs provide some basic information about the different venereal diseases.


 

[Title Page] [Contents] [Preface] [Introduction] [The Human Body] [Sexual Differentiation] [The Sex Organs] [Sexual Response] [Human Reproduction] [Physical Problems] [Sexual Behavior] [Sex and Society] [Epilogue] [Sexual Slang Glossary] [Sex Education Test] [Picture Credits]