Sleeping With The Enemy Essay, Research Paper

Major points: 1. Syphilis is still rare compared with other sexually transmitted diseases.2. Gonorrhea is not as popular as it used to be, but chlamydia on the other hand isthe most common sexually transmitted disease.3. Genital herpes and genital warts have no cure.4. Sex is the leading mode of transmission of the hepatitis B virus.5. Aids is incurable, and unlike the others, it always kills.

Syphilis is still rare compared with other sexually transmitted diseases. The bacterium that causes syphilis is treponema palidum. This causes genital lesions called chancres. These normally go away on their own but if not treated the disease advances. A person who has syphilis suffers from fevers, aches, rashes, hair loss and mouth sores. At later stages of the disease it affects the heart, eyes, brain and other organs. It?s always good to get tested for this disease.

Gonorrhea is not as popular as it used to be, but chlamydia on the other hand is the most common sexually transmitted disease. Gonorrhea victims have gone down since the 1980?s. The article says its because people have gotten the message about safe sex. The bacteria thrive in moist, warm cavities like the mouth, throat, urinary tract etc. Some of the symptoms are burning, itching, or unusual discharge. If the symptoms go untreated it can spread to the fallopian tubes and cause difficulties in pregnancy. Chlamydia on the other hand is most common. The most common symptom is inflammation of the urethra, which causes painful urination. This disease can be cured, If not treated it can cause sterility in women.

Genital herpes and genital warts have no cure. Scientists do not know what bacterium causes genital warts. There is a way to stop them from being contagious but there is no cure. Genital herpes can be cured with antibiotics but when infected with the herpes simplex virus you are infected for life. This virus causes small lesions around the genital area. Anyone with active lesions can spread it to their partner(s).

Sex is the leading mode of transmission of the hepatitis B virus. A lot of people say that it?s not an STD. The virus attacks the liver, which causes flu like symptoms. There is no cure. Most people recover and develop immunity to further infection. Some however stays in the body and be contagious. There is a vaccine for the HBV.

Aids is incurable, and unlike the others, it always kills. In the beginning of the virus you get flu like symptoms. This disease can lay silent and then all of a sudden hit you with fevers, diarrhea, weight loss and others. These might be the onset to full blown aids. It is always good to get tested for aids. Especially if you have multiple partners.

Impact statement: This is a very sensitive subject. It is scary. Especially in the times we live in. People do not care who and what they sleep with. I had an uncle die of aids from a blood transfusion. It?s not fun and I wouldn?t wish it on anyone.

Cowley, Geoffrey. Sleeping With the Enemy. Newsweek. December 9, 1992. Pg. 58-59.