As many young people are heading off on holiday to celebrate finishing GCSEs or A-Level exams, it is well worth remembering to pack quality condoms to avoid bringing home more than a sun-tan and holiday snaps. while condoms may be bought abroad, these can be often be less reliable in some countries.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) – Symptoms of STDs
STDs may result in a range of different symptoms; however, it is important to remember that it is possible to have an STD without suffering any symptoms at all. in Travel Health, Jones (2004) highlights several key symptoms associated with STDs, which include:
- unusual discharge
- genital pain
- genital itching
- pain or difficulty when passing urine
- increased urine output
- genital ulcers
- pain during sex
- lower abdominal pain
- abnormal vaginal bleeding
It is important when suffering from any of the above STD symptoms to seek medical advice from a doctor or make an appointment at an STD clinic. Also, it is necessary to abstain from sexual contact to avoid the possibility of infecting a partner. once diagnosed with an STD, it is also important to inform sexual partners, as they will need to get checked out too. although this will not be an easy task by any means, most people would rather know and get treatment early on before serious health complications have a chance to arise.
How are Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treated?
Rather than following self-treatment suggestions, it is always far better and safer to seek medical advice and get proper treatment for STDs. a doctor will typically diagnose STDs through a combination of taking swabs and performing blood tests. as identified by Jones (2004), the majority of STDs can be effectively treated through a course of antibiotics. However, there are several STDs where this is currently not the case, which include HIV, herpes, genital warts and hepatitis B.
Seeking medical treatment for STDs is crucial, as if left untreated they will spread and can result in a range of long-term effects, such as heart problems and even infertility. some forms of STDs may also result in harm to the developing foetus, making it more important than ever to practice safe sex when pregnant.
As highlighted above, STDs may result in a range of symptoms such as genital itching, genital ulcers, vaginal bleeding and discharge, while some result in no symptoms at all. Treatment for STDs may typically involve antibiotics, although in the case of HIV, herpes, genital warts and hepatitis B, this is not possible.
Jones, N. (2004) Travel Health New York: Rough Guides
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