History of Sexually Transmitted Diseases

This paper will look at the history of sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS and their symptoms. Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) affect men and women of all socioeconomic levels and backgrounds (CDC, 2005). Despite the progress that has been made in the United States on prevention of STDs over the past four decades, the U.S. has the highest rate of STDs in the industrialized world - 50 to 100 times higher. An estimated 15.3 million new cases of STDs are reported each year in the U.S. This is because most people remain unaware of all but the most prominent of STDs - HIV/AIDS.

Syphilis is an STD transmitted by the bacterium Treponema pallidum (CDC, 2005). It is often referred to as "the great imitator" because many of its signs and symptoms resemble those of other diseases. Being infected with syphilis and cured does not mean a person cannot get it again. A sex partner may have syphilis sores hidden in the vagina, rectum or mouth, so they may not be obvious. In primary syphilis, there is usually a single sore (a chancre), but there may be many. The time between infection and the first symptom can be from 10 to 90 days, with an average of 21 days. The chancre is small, round, and painless, and usually heals spontaneously in three to six weeks. However, if treatment is not sought, it will progress to secondary syphilis.

In secondary syphilis, there is a skin rash and lesions of the mucous membranes, which usually starts with the development of a rash on

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o from one to three weeks after infection. In women, the bacteria usually infect the cervix and urethra. Women with symptoms may have a vaginal discharge or a burning sensation n urination. When the infection spreads from the cervix to the fallopian tubes, there may be lower abdominal pain, low back pain, nausea, fever, pain during intercourse, or bleeding between menstrual periods. Infections of the cervix can also spread to the rectum. Men with symptoms may have a penile discharge, a burning sensation on urination, burning and itching around the opening of the penis, or pain and swelling of the testicles. Men and women who have receptive anal intercourse may have rectal pain, discharge or bleeding. Chlamydia can also be found in the throats of women and men having oral sex with an infected partner. Trichomoniasis is an STD caused by a single-celled protozoan, Trichomonas vaginalis (CDC, 2005). In women, the most common infection site is the vagina and in men, the urethra. The parasite is transmitted through penis-to-vagina intercourse or vulva-to-vulva contact with an infected partner. Women can acquire the disease from men or women, but men can only acquire the disease from women. Some women have symptoms of inf

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