Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD

a) Chlamydia

This is a bacterial infection that is transmitted sexually by contact with an infected person. It is one of the most common STDs in the United States. It is not so easy to identify because its symptoms are not specific and can be confused with other diseases. A greater percentage of men have symptoms than women. There may be a thick, whitish discharge through the urethra; testicular edema; and burning when urinating. The definitive diagnosis is made by analyzing the sample under the microscope. If we don’t have this discharge, we can only make inferences. The treatment is with antibiotics, the choice being Doxycycline every 12 hours for 10 days. If you are contaminated with chlamydia, your sexual partners should take the same treatment even if they have had no symptoms. Prevention, as with all STDs, is done by using a barrier method of contraception during sex.

b) Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is a fairly common sexually transmitted bacterial infection among sexually active young people who do not use condoms regularly. The symptoms of gonorrhea in men are quite characteristic, so it is easy to diagnose. The patient with this infection has burning during urination; thick, whitish or green discharge from the urethra; edema; and itching of the glans.

The treatment is done with antibiotics being the first line of defense: Ceftriaxone intramuscular 250 mg and oral Azithromycin 1 gram in a single dose. When it’s impossible to go to a center to receive a prescription for Ceftriaxone, you can take the oral treatment and rely on natural therapies. Turmeric has potent anti-inflammatory agents that will help improve the symptoms. You can add it to a normal diet or take supplements. Remember that your sex partners should also be treated even if they have no symptoms. They may be asymptomatic carriers who are spreading the disease.

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