## 3. STDs

You know that you can prevent pregnancy by using contraceptives.
The condom is the only contraceptive that also protects you against a venereal disease.

venereal diseases
Diseases that are transmitted through sexual contact are called STIs or sexually transmitted diseases. STDs are counted as an STI.

STDs are transmitted through the mucous membranes in the genitals. This is possible during sex, but also when someone comes into contact with a genital organ with his or her mouth (oral contact).
Mucous membranes are found in the respiratory system, the digestive system, the excretory system (kidneys) and the genitals. Pathogens can be easily transmitted through mucous membranes.

Pfeiffer's disease ('kissing disease') is also transmitted through mucous membranes. The disease causes prolonged fatigue and flu-like symptoms.

We discuss some of the most common STIs:

Syphilis

Syphilis is caused by bacteria. The syphilis bacterium grows especially well on genitals, but can also reproduce in the mouth. If the syphilis bacteria gets into the blood, colonies of bacteria can grow all over the body. The scientific name for the syphilis bacteria is Treponema pallidum. Syphilis bacteria are very small and difficult to control.

Today, syphilis is very rare in the Netherlands, but it used to be common. At that time, the disease could not be cured with a medicine. If someone now has syphilis, it is treated with an antibiotic.

The image shows 'syphilis lice' in the Middle Ages.
The brown spots on the body are symptoms (signs of illness). Look at the picture and read the text below for the symptoms of syphilis.

ulcers on the genital tract
swollen lymph nodes
skin abnormalities
a fever
headache
finally: damage to nervous system, death

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is caused by a bacteria. Like viruses, the chlamydia bacterium is very dependent on the cells on which it grows. Chlamydia occurs regularly in the Netherlands (approx. 10,000 people). People who are infected often have no clear complaints and can often continue to walk around with it for a long time.
Below you can see how the disease can cause infertility in women.
There is no vaccine against chlamydia. The disease is treated with antibiotics.

Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is known as dripper. The disease is caused by a bacterium scientifically named Neisseria gonorrhea. Several thousand people in the Netherlands are infected with this bacterium.
In women, the bacteria can lead to inflammation of the fallopian tubes. Men experience a greenish or yellowish pus discharge from the penis and a burning sensation when urinating. Gonorrhea can lead to inflammation, just like chlamydia.
Sometimes there are no complaints. Gonorrhea can be treated with antibiotics.

candida albans

Candida is a fungal infection. The Candida fungus affects almost everyone, but most people don't get sick from it. If your defenses are weakened, the yeast can grow into threads and cause problems. A doctor therefore often looks for the cause of the reduced immune system that gave Candida a chance.
A Candida infection can lead to chronic (long-term) complaints. The symptoms are quite common and it is therefore difficult to determine whether someone has Candida.
Some symptoms are:

Stomach and intestinal complaints
Hypersensitivity such as hay fever and fatigue
Inflammation and itching of the genital tract

What to do if you think you have an STD?

If you have had unprotected sex once and afterwards you have vague complaints about your genitals, abdomen or throat, it is possible that you have an STD. There is absolutely nothing to be ashamed of here. The GGD has a special clinic where they can help you with your complaints. You often have to fill in a questionnaire in advance and based on that you can make an appointment.

The people at the clinic then tell you how to remove your own mucous membranes with a cotton swab and then check in the lab whether certain bacteria or viruses are growing. If it is, you will receive an email with which antibiotics or other medicines you need and the advice not to have sex for a few weeks. Usually you are completely STD free after 6 weeks at the latest and there is nothing to worry abo

HIV en Aids
De ziekte Aids wordt veroorzaakt door het HIV-virus. Dit is ook een geslachtsziekte. Wanneer je het HIV-virus bij je draagt, ben je HIV-positief.
Als je HIV hebt, ben je niet direct ziek. Het HIV-virus breekt het afweersysteem af. Als je afweersysteem slecht werkt, word je sneller ziek en doe je er langer over om weer beter te worden. Langzaam wordt het afweersysteem slechter. Wanneer je afweersysteem niet meer werkt, wordt de diagnose aids gesteld. Aids is eigenlijk een soort verzamelnaam voor allerlei ziektes die je krijgt wanneer je afweersysteem niet meer werkt. De gemiddelde tijd tussen besmetting en ‘uitbreken’ van aids is 9 jaar.
In dit filmpje wordt het nog eens kort uitgelegd.
Bekijk het filmpje: Wat is aids?