MORE STD FACTS

STDs are infections with a varied group of agents which are grouped together because sexual contact is significant,although it is not compulsorily the only mechanism through which the diseases are acquired. It is a disease of life-style.It is thus possible to identify a population of patients at high risk for each infection, namely the sexual partners of patients with the STD.The more the sexual partners the more the risk of having STD.Such sexual partners must be evaluated and treated.An individual with one STD are very likely to have others.Thus, an individual diagnosed as having one STD should be evaluated for others that may be clinically silent but of much greater eventual medical consequence. Sexually active individual often present repeatedly with new infections. Cure rates are usually high when sexual partners are treated simultaneously, meaning that all have completed treatment before unprotected sexual contact is resumed.But if any of the partners acquired new sexual partner, risk of re-infection is possible.Some patient may not give good sexual history while some may not return for follow-up.Also there is possibility of having used self prescribed medications which may mask clinical features of disease without producing a cure. It is thus of utmost importance that individual with STD seek treatment from a qualified medical personnel. From personal experience as a medical practicioner, patient education regarding risk reduction is an important aspect of management.STD should be accorded the importance it deserved because it has done havoc to the productive ability of large section of the populace.