Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) are a global issue, but some parts of the world experience more cases of STDs than any other. These regions include North America, India, and parts of Africa. Sub-Saharan Africa experiences the highest amount of sexually transmitted diseases in the whole world.
Types of STDs
There are many types of STDs, but the most prominent ones, according to annual occurrence statistics in Sub-Saharan Africa, are as follow:
- Syphilis: 3.5 million cases
- Chlamydia; 15 million cases
- Gonorrhea: 16 million cases
- Trichomoniasis: 30 million cases
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Human papillomavirus (HPV,) and herpes are also growing problems in the region. Slowly, they are becoming a sad reality in the lives of the people living in this region.
Treating STDs (Medicinal)
Once an individual has been diagnosed with an STD, they must know how the treatment will occur. Doctors commonly treat STDs the way any other disease would be, with antibiotics and antiviral drugs. The course of treatment primarily depends on the infectious agent and which subtype it falls into.
- Antibiotics
Antibiotics are used to target bacterial infections and diseases, making them the ideal solution for cases of gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis. Antibiotics work by targeting bacteria in the body and killing them off.
- Treatment of Syphilis.
- Treatment of Chlamydia.
- Treatment of Gonorrhea.
- Treatment of Herpes.
- Treatment of HIV.
However, antibiotics also rid the boy of healthy bacteria, so it is essential to take a course of vitamins and probiotic foods after completing the antibiotic course. It is also crucial that every antibiotic pill is taken according to schedule, or the infection may return.
Women are advised to follow up with a check-up after three months of completing treatment as they are at a higher risk of reinfection. Most importantly, one cannot have sexual intercourse till seven days after the completion of treatment, or else the infection may reoccur.
Unfortunately, new strands of STDs are emerging that have an antimicrobial resistance to antibiotics. In simple words, this means that the STD is immune to antibiotics and thus must be treated some other way. The emergence of these STDs has reduced treatment options. However, research into these strands of diseases continues as scientists make new medicines to tackle these diseases.
- Antivirals
Antiviral drugs target viral infections, like herpes or HIV. While the daily administration of such a drug will reduce your herpes recurrences, it will still be possible for you to give your partner the disease. Abstinence from sexual intercourse until seven days after the treatment is complete is also essential.
While, on the one hand, there is a significant shortage of antibiotics, like erythromycin, there are also many humanitarian organizations working towards improving sexual healthcare. The World Health Organization (WHO) is one such organization that is working tirelessly to eradicate sexually transmitted diseases in high-density areas, like Sub-Saharan Africa.
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