Reporter IRTHA DANIEL this week turns her attention to some of the less publicised Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) and their alarming prevalence, in her continuing series on abstinence as the only foolproof way to avoid STDs.

Given the AIDS pandemic, it’s little wonder that other deadly Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) are practically ignored. But they’re out there – and there are global statistics to prove it!

The fact that there are now 30 STDs whereas there used to be around 17 speaks for itself. Of these 30, 23 are incurable.

Alarmingly, 90% of people with an STD don’t even know they have it! The emerging picture of the prevalence of HPV (Human Papillomavirus), now dubbed “the silent killer”, illustrates this.

The sexually transmitted HPV causes 99.7% of all cervical cancer; pelvic inflammatory disease, which has increased by 500% since 1999; 25% of all cancers of the mouth and upper throat; a major fraction of anal cancers; and penile cancer.

Statistics show that more women in the US die from HPV than from HIV/AIDS each year and that HPV has reached epidemic proportions, with 55,000 cases there annually.

The National Abstinence Programme is working on disseminating information to the public on a range of STDs, as it continues to advocate abstinence as the only sure way to avoid getting an STD.

Further, an abstinence programme has already been launched in the nation’s secondary schools and one will begin in Catholic primary schools next year.

In addition to the much-publicised HIV, the virus that cripples the body’s immune system and causes AIDS, here are some other serious STDs:
HPV – a group of more than 100 viruses that can cause genital warts. Certain strains are linked to an increased risk of cancers, e.g. cervical, penile and oral.

SYPHILIS – can cause lesions in the heart, brain, blood vessels and spinal cord. In cases of early detection, it is curable with antibiotics but can be fatal if left untreated.

CHLAMYDIA – a very common STD that can lead to urinary tract and pelvic infections in women. It can also cause Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), fallopian tube damage and infertility if not treated with antibiotics.

GONORRHOEA – another common STD that can lead to PID and kidney problems in women. Untreated, it can cause infertility and spread to the heart or brain. It can be treated with antibiotics.

HERPES – an STD that causes eruptions of blisters on the genitals or mouth. There is no cure. Treatment involves reducing the number and severity of breakouts.

HEPATITIS – inflammation of the liver caused by a viral infection. There are five types of Hepatitis – A, B, C, D and E. Hepatitis B is the one most commonly associated with sexual activity, but all viral forms pose risks.

Statistical information in this article came from a brochure published by local physician Dr Peter Gentle and material from the American Medical Journal.
Readers are invited to submit feedback by writing to the Catholic News at 31 Independence Square, Port of Spain, or sending e-mail to mail@catholicnews-tt.net.