Joined: 02/05/2008
Posts: 340
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Life at sea is exciting. Visiting exotic ports, meeting beautiful people and enjoying tasty cocktails are ingredients for some great times, but they also can lead to some not so great decisions.
It’s easy to get swept up in the moment, but don’t forget the facts. Each year, millions of people acquire sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Know the facts, protect yourself and don’t be one of the statistics.
Transferred from one person to another through sexual contact, STDs can be contracted through vaginal, anal or oral sex. The common sexually transmitted disease, trichomoniasis, can also be picked up from contact with damp or moist objects such as towels, wet clothing or a toilet seat that have touched an infected person’s genital area.
Although some STDs produce no symptoms, they still can be passed from person to person. The most common STDs are chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, genital herpes, human papillomavirus, hepatitis B, trichomoniasis and bacterial vaginosis.
While the above are the most common STDs, it is important to note that human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) occurs in the maritime community as well. HIV is transmitted through sexual contact, sharing of needles and contaminated blood transfusions.
Prevention
When it comes to STDs, prevention is paramount You can prevent STDs in the following ways:
• Use condoms. Protect yourself with a condom every time you have vaginal, anal or oral sex. Condoms should be used for any type of sex with every partner.
• Know that some methods of birth control, like birth control pills, shots, implants or diaphragms, will not protect you from STDs. If you use one of these methods, be sure to also use a latex condom or dental dam (used for oral sex) correctly every time you have sex.
• Talk with your sexual partner(s) about STDs and using condoms. It’s up to you to make sure you are protected. Remember, it’s your body! Speak frankly with your doctor or telemedicine service and your sex partner(s) about any STDs you or your partners have or had. Try not to be embarrassed.
• Women should have regular pelvic exams. Speak with your doctor about how often you need them. Many tests for STDs can be done during an exam. Ask your doctor to test you for STDs if you are at risk. The sooner an STD is found, the easier it is to treat.
Treatment
STDs are treated in a variety of ways, based on the type of STD. Treatment regimens may include a long-term course of oral medications or a one-time injection of medication. For other STDs that can’t be cured, like herpes, topical or oral medications that are used on an intermittent or routine basis can relieve you of the symptoms. It is always best to contact your telemedicine provider as soon as you notice symptoms or have concerns about a potential exposure.
Remember: be safe, be prepared and don’t get swept away. Nothing is more important than your health and wellbeing.
By: MedAire staff with medical information provided by
Ginger Bartos, RN, BSN Manager, GRC Medical Operations. MedAire provides
medical advice, training, and medical equipment for crew at sea and ashore.
Common STDs, Symptoms and Risks
The following chart
lists symptoms and risks associated with the most common STDs.
Chlamydia
Symptoms:
- discharge
from penis
- abnormal
vaginal discharge
- burning
when urinating
- bleeding
between menstrual periods
Infections that are not treated, even if there are no
symptoms, can lead to:
- lower
abdominal pain
- low
back pain
- nausea
- fever
- pain
during sex
- bleeding
between periods
- infertility
in women
Note:
It is common for women to be symptom-free despite being infected.
Gonorrhea
Symptoms:
- discharge
from penis
- pain
or burning when urinating
- yellowish
and sometimes bloody vaginal discharge
- bleeding
between menstrual periods
Symptoms are often mild, but most women have no symptoms.
Even when women have symptoms, they can sometimes be mistaken for a bladder
or another vaginal infection.
Syphilis
Symptoms in the first (primary) stage:
- a
single, painless sore, usually in the genital areas but sometimes in the
mouth
If the infection is not treated, it moves to the next
stage:
- skin
rash on the hands and feet that usually does not itch and clears on its
own
- fever
- swollen
lymph glands
- sore
throat
- patchy
hair loss
- headaches
- weight
loss
- muscle
aches
- tiredness
In the latent (hidden) stage, the initial symptoms
disappear, but the symptoms from the second stage can come back. In the late
stage, infection remains in the body and can damage the brain, nerves, eyes,
heart, blood vessels, liver, bones and joints.
Genital Herpes
Some people may have no symptoms.
During an “outbreak,” the symptoms are clear:
- small
red bumps, blisters, or open sores on the penis, vagina, or on areas
close by
- vaginal
discharge
- fever
- headache
- muscle
aches
- pain
when urinating
- itching,
burning or swollen glands in genital area
- pain
in legs, buttocks or genital area
Symptoms may go away and then come back.
Sores heal after two to four weeks.
Human Papillomavirus
Women with symptoms may have:
- visible
warts in the genital area, including the thighs; warts can be raised or
flat, alone or in groups, small or large, and sometimes they are
cauliflower-shaped.
- lesions
on the cervix and in the vagina
Note:
Some women have no symptoms.
Hepatitis B
Symptoms:
- mild
fever
- headache
and muscle aches
- tiredness
- loss
of appetite
- nausea
or vomiting
- diarrhea
- dark-colored
urine and pale bowel movements
- stomach
pain
- skin
and whites of eyes turning yellow
Note: Women commonly have no symptoms, despite
being infected.
Trichomoniasis
Symptoms usually appear five to 28 days after exposure and
can include:
- yellow,
green or gray vaginal discharge (often foamy) with a strong odor
- discomfort
during sex and when urinating
- irritation
and itching of the genital area
- lower
abdominal pain in rare cases
Bacterial Vaginosis
Symptoms:
- vaginal
itching
- pain
when urinating
- discharge
with a fishy odor
Note: Women commonly have no symptoms, despite
being infected.
By: MedAire staff with medical information provided by Ginger Bartos, RN, BSN Manager, GRC Medical Operations. MedAire provides medical advice, training, and medical equipment for crew at sea and ashore.
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