page 5
-X v?
-
a
women exposed to VD while on the pill
will contract the disease, according to
Murray.
Another problem with the pill is that
it has almost eliminated the use of the
condom as a means of contraception,
according to both Underwood and
Martin.
"Next to abstinence, the condom is
about the best prevention to VD to be
promoted," Martin said.
Another reason for the rise is possibly
a lag in federal funds and a relaxation of
serious infection to heart valves or
acute destructive arthritis. The
arthrities commonly affects the knees
or the wrists.
Gonorrhea can cause sterility in
both men and women. Men also have
chronic difficulty in urinating.
The incubation stage lasts only a
few days and can be as short as one
dayissopn as the incubation period
passes tnC person is infectious.
A man usually notices a burning
while urinating about three to eight
days after exposure. Other symptoms
include swelling and inflammation of
the genital area and a pus discharge
from the penis.
About 10 percent of the men have
no symptoms at all.
Most women do not have any
symptoms. There may be a slight
vaginal discharge or burning while
urinating, but these may be
overlooked. Months later the woman
may notice pain in the lower
abdomen.
'J.
' T:. , '
yi V" '
V
J?
4-
4 A
.'V . . . ', v
, I".
1i
C Me11 ,f
efforts to find contacts since the 1950's.
Jensen said a greater effort is needed
along with more money to fight the
epidemic.
Private doctors who treat patients, but
do not report them or find out their
contacts are another reason cited for
increasing VD.
Many doctors feel they do not want to
betray the confidence their patients have
placed in them. Most authorities agree,
however, that this attitude doesn't do
anyone a service since the patient will
probably get reinfected is his contacts are
not treated. Also, the contacts may infect
others.
One of the biggest problems with the
disease, and gonorrhea in particular, is
that most women do not have symptoms
and are "silent carriers." Unless a woman
is named as a contact by the man who
infected her, she may never know she has
the disease and unwittingly infect others.
Martin said another reason for a rise in
VD could simply be better reporting.
Actually there may not be such a rise in
the disease, but an awareness of how
many people have it. Murray said no one
has reaily paid any attention to gonorrhea
at all until the last few years.
Flippant attitudes of those contracting
the disease may also be a factor in its
sharp rise. Many who get it don't care and
simply treat it as a common cold with a
shot of penicillin solving everything.
Reinfection is the biggest problem
with VD, If contacts are not treated there
can be a "ping pong" effect, with one
partner getting it, being treated and
getting it again.
. "J have had one vonna man in here
tract in the penis. This is only in the case
of those who get the disease again and
again, however.
Gonorrhea has risen sharply over
syphilis and there are two reasons for this
according to Knipmeyer.
The incubation period for gonorrhea is
usually three to five days and as little as
one day. This means that as soon as the
incubation period is over, the person is
infectious and they remain infectious
until they are treated.
In syphilis the incubation period
varies, but is generally two to three weeks
and after about two years, depending on
the individuals, the person is no longer
infectious.
Also, with gonorrhea's short
incubation period, tracing of contacts can
be an endless job, since one doesn't know
he or she has it until several days later (or
never if there are no symptoms) and by
then may have infected others.
Another problem with both diseases is
that people may notice their symptoms
are gone, but they may not actually be
cured. That is why follow-up with a
doctor is important.
How can VD be prevented?
The first answer is
obvious-abstinence, although it's not
really a solution for many people.
Another answer is to remain mongamous.
Other solutions include washing before
and after intercourse, which may or may
not help (douching will not) and using
prophylactic devices (such as condoms
andor foams and jellies. Education of the
public in the causes and prevention of VD
will have more long term effects.
; ; Margin said.w mnnnrtina ... basic VD
