General diseases are sexually transmitted and two most common ones are syphilis and gonorrhea.
Causative organisms
Gonorrhea is caused by the bacterium neissera gonorrhea. It is a bean shaped, non motile organism which affects the reproductive organs and the urinary system.
Mode of transmission
Gonorrhea is transmitted through sexual intercourse with an infected person. Oral contact with infected parts of the body also causes spread of the disease.
Symptoms
In males, three to nine days after exposure, a thick, yellowish discharge occurs, together with a burning sensation during urination. In women, the symptoms are often slight but there may be pain on passing urine, redness around the urinary opening, vaginal discharges or seedling of the vulva. In pregnant mothers, gonorrhea is dangerous as the babies eyes may become infected during birth. This could lead to blindness. In modern hospitals today, eyes of newborn babies are washed with a solution of silver nitrate to prevent infection. Gonorrhea can be treated with the antibiotic penicillin.
Causative organisms
Syphilis is caused by the spiral shaped bacterium treponema pallidum. It is a more serious disease than gonorrhea.
Mode of transmission
Similar to that of of gonorrhea.
Symptoms
Syphilis occurs in three main stages. In the first stage, a small painless sore or chanre appears on the penis or vulva. After six weeks, it disappears naturally. These early symptoms are often overlooked. In the second stage, about six or eight weeks later, a non itching skin rash appears accompanied by mouth ulcers and wart like growths around the node regions. The disease can be treated successfully during the first two stages. If the disease is not treated, more serious symptoms progresses to the third stage. The bacteria invade the nervous system causing irreparable harm. The patient suffers from deep burning loss of control of movement and mental deterioration. In women, syphilis also causes repeated abortions.
Control/prevention
General disease van be controlled by educating the people on how these diseases are transmitted, the dangers of contracting them and the effects these have on their unborn children. In addition, the government should provide facilities for treatment and diagnosis, and public health officers should be sent out regularly to Check on brothels.
