AbstractThe research paper seeks to discuss sexually transmitted diseases. The article provides a broader explanation of what sexually transmitted diseases are, how they spread and possible treatments. The study also presents specific examples of STDs with specific symptoms and remedies. Other discussions in the document include the challenges that compromise the treatment of STIs. As with any other disease, the article details the health defects that can result from infection with sexually transmitted diseases. The article provides demographics and rough data on the spread and infection of STIs. The study focuses on the most recommended preventive and curative measures that should be used to control STDs. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essayIntroductionHuman health is paramount in every way. However, diseases and injuries pose significant challenges to human health. These compromise the body's immunity and interfere with the normal functioning of various body systems. Serious health problems lead to death. Among the main threats to human health are sexually transmitted infections. STIs are among the most contagious and deadly diseases in the world, and their spread is accelerating over the decades. Among these sexually transmitted diseases, some have been declared global pandemics, the best known and most threatening being HIV/AIDS (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2015, pp.66). Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), also called sexually transmitted diseases Infections (STIs) refer to a list of diseases that are transmitted from one person to another through the vagina, mouth or anus during intercourse sexual (Calvet 2009, pp. 467 – 478). According to Workowski & Berman (2010, pp.55-78), STIs are ubiquitous among people. The most infected group is the middle-aged, between 20 and 40 years old. Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2015, pp. 526-528) show that STD infection occurs most between ages 18 and 35, with few cases below 18 and above 45. years. The reason for this gap is that middle-aged men and women are sexually active, with 98% of them having sexual partners through marriage or engagement. In most of these infections, STDs present silent symptoms that even the infected person cannot diagnose without a specialized medical examination. The list of sexually transmitted diseases is long. Calvet (2009, pp.467) discusses STDs starting with a list of the most common STDs. In the list, HIV/AIDS, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, genital herpes and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection stand out as the most common types of STDs. These are the most reported among different nations. Other examples of STDs include hepatitis B, Molluscum contagiosum, scabies, trichomoniasis, and pubic lice. Each of these STDs has different symptoms, with varying health effects and treatments. The good news is that all of these STDs can be diagnosed at medical centers and their procedures are available. There are also control and prevention measures that the Ministry of Health has advised the population to take. HIV/AIDS appears to be the giant in the STD jungle. HIV is short for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. HIV is a deadly virus transmitted through vaginal secretions.However, there are other modes of transmission, such as blood exchange, either through transfusion or open cuts, and through breastfeeding. Among the most reported infections are those resulting from sexual intercourse. When HIV enters the body, it destroys immune cells, weakening the body's immune system. When the virus weakens the body's resistance, we can quickly contract illnesses. The lack of a robust immune system leaves the body vulnerable to infections, which prove difficult to cure, even with drug treatment (Cohen 2004). Symptoms of HIV/AIDS are night sweats and continuous fever, thrush mouth and skin rashes. Other symptoms include swollen lymph nodes, constant excessive weight loss, herpes infection, and a dense, dry cough. In advanced stages, “waste syndrome” is a common symptom of the disease, where the body loses weight until it resembles severe malnutrition. HIV has no cure. The available medicine strengthens the immune system and allows the victim to stay healthier for longer. The medicine also prevents the virus from spreading to other people. Controlling HIV/AIDS involves abstinence or protected sex which involves the use of condoms. The idea behind this is to control the exchange of bodily fluids such as semen and vaginal fluids which spread the virus. Another sexually transmitted infection is syphilis. Syphilis is a common STD transmitted by the bacteria Treponema palladium which causes acids called chancres. Sours are painless and make it difficult for the infected person to diagnose the disease. Sores appear ten days to three weeks after infection. If not diagnosed and treated at this stage, the sores disappear, but the virus moves on to the second stage (Calvet 2009, pp. 472). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2015, pp.98) report on STDs, the second stage of syphilis is characterized by weight and hair loss, painless rash, fatigue, soreness, head and joint pain. However, these symptoms can vary between individuals and persist for three months. In the third stage, victims show serious signs such as dementia, stroke, blindness, rashes, heart disease and paralysis. This third step is crucial when syphilis can lead to death if left untreated. Syphilis can be diagnosed by physical examination. A physical analysis is performed on the genital areas, after which a doctor performs a blood test to identify the sores. Standard treatments for syphilis include antibiotics such as penicillin and azithromycin. Cankers can act as catalysts for other infections, hence the need for frequent medical monitoring and early treatment upon diagnosis of the disease. Gonorrhea, also called "the clap" is a common STI among adolescents and the middle age group between the ages of 20 and 30. The disease is caused by a bacteria called Neisseria gonorrhea, either through semen or vaginal fluid. This bacteria infects moist, warm parts of the body such as the genitals, cervix, vagina, urethra and throat. There have been cases of gonorrhea eye infection where the victim rubs their eyes with hands carrying the bacteria. Symptoms of gonorrhea include swelling of the tentacles, painful sensation when urinating, discharge of pus from the genitals, and frequent urination. Fever, pain during sexual intercourse and prolonged periodspart of the other symptoms observed in women. However, a higher number of gonorrhea sufferers do not experience any of these symptoms. In case the signs are not obvious, urgent and frequent tests carried out by specialists are the only sure way to know whether the person is infected or not. Modern antibiotics cure gonorrhea. Control of Gonnorea is accomplished through abstinence, maintaining a faithful sexual partner, use and proper disposal of condoms and dental dams (Workowski & Berman 2010, pp. 78). Genital herpes is another sexually transmitted infection common among sexually active partners. The simplex virus is the cause of this infection. Recent research by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2015, pp.66) shows that out of every six people ages 19 to 40, about one person has genital herpes. Herpes is a very sneaky infection that one can live with for years without diagnosis. Herpes can affect the inner thighs and buttocks. However, they do not pose a serious threat to human health. Other than being painful and annoying, genital herpes cannot cause death. Victims are advised to take anti-herpes medications if diagnosed with genital herpes. Protected sex or complete abstinence is the safest prevention measure against genital herpes infection. According to Workowski and Berman (2010, pp. 178), most people living with sexually transmitted infections do not have a diagnosis. Chlamydia is another common STD caused by bacteria. It does not present any specific symptoms and therefore one can live for years without diagnosing the infection. This sneaky sign is so familiar to the human papillomavirus. Although human papillomavirus is considered the least harmless type of STI, recent research reveals that most cases of cervical cancer are caused by human papillomavirus. Although the human papillomavirus (HPV) is commonly thought to spread on its own, there is a need for medications to prevent the worst cases of cervical cancer. A Pap test helps diagnose abnormal cell growth in the cervix to establish HPV infection for vaccination. Another example of an STD infection is hepatitis B. This infection is spread by the hepatitis B virus, commonly known as HBV. Illness after illness affects the liver. However, the virus does not present any diagnosable symptoms. Victims experience flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, joint pain, vomiting and loss of appetite. Flu-like symptoms make it difficult to diagnose infection from symptoms without testing. Although the disease goes away on its own within 4 to 8 weeks, it can sometimes become chronic and damage the liver and lead to chronic diseases such as living cirrhosis and liver cancer. It is necessary to conduct a medical examination and tests by medical experts, who will then administer the hepatitis B vaccine once the infection is diagnosed. Those who contract hepatitis B have a high chance of recovery, with some cases worsening to chronic levels due to lack of medication. The list of sexually transmitted diseases is endless. However, the control and treatment of STIs has been a challenge over the past decade. There is ignorance in the fight against STDs. A greater percentage of sexually active people living with STIs, knowingly or unknowingly. This ignorance has made it difficult to combat the situation and effectively control these.