Gonorrhea: Symptoms, treatment, and causes
Hair Loss On Three Areas Of Body Could Signal Contagious Disease - Cases On The Rise
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more Sexual health nurse explains the symptoms of syphilisHair loss can be caused by many factors including genetics, age, stress and medication among others. Although this is not usually something to be overly concerned about, it can be frustrating and upsetting for those affected.
However, in some cases it could be a sign of an infection. More specifically, it could signal a sexually transmitted disease - syphilis.
Also known as venereal disease, syphilis is often considered a Victorian illness due to its prevalence in that era. But in recent years, cases have been on the rise again, sparking concern.
According to data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), cases of syphilis rose by almost 15 percent between 2021 and 2022, with almost 9,000 recorded cases that year.
One expert spoke exclusively about the signs of infection to look out for.
Superintendent pharmacist Abbas Kanani, from online pharmacy Chemist Click, warned that patchy hair loss on the head, beard and eyebrows could be down to an underlying syphilis infection.
"Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI). If it's not treated, it can cause serious and potentially life-threatening problems," he said.
Syphilitic alopecia (SA) is a symptom which mimics other types of alopecia.
Abbas said: "Although it is quite rare, it can cause non-scarring hair loss in secondary syphilis.
"It tends to mimic other hair disorders, such as alopecia areata - which is mostly in small, round patches on the scalp, trichotillomania - a compulsive desire to pull out one's hair and telogen effluvium - excessive shedding of resting or telogen hair after some metabolic stress, hormonal changes, or medication.
"It can present three clinical patterns that affect not only the scalp region, but also other hair-covered areas; these patterns include moth-eaten, diffuse, and mixed alopecia".
There are four stages of syphilis - primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary.
The "moth-eaten" hair loss pattern is the most common type with SA and is considered to be a characteristic of secondary syphilis.
He said: "This type of hair loss causes diffusely thinning hair across the entire scalp or it gives the hair a patchy, 'moth-eaten' appearance".
Other symptoms of syphilis include:
However, it can take three weeks or more for the symptoms of syphilis to appear after you're infected.
If you experience symptoms you should see your GP or go to your nearest clinic to get tested.
And if you test positive you will likely be prescribed antibiotics and you should let any recent sexual partners know so they can get tested.
PreventionAbbas advised: "Using condoms consistently and correctly when you have vaginal or anal sex is the best way to prevent syphilis and many other STIs.
"You should also use a condom to cover the penis or a latex or dam to cover the vagina if you have oral sex and make sure you complete treatment if you or your partner have syphilis.
"Avoid sharing sex toys or wash and cover them with a new condom before anyone else uses them."
If it's not treated, syphilis can cause serious and potentially life-threatening problems, some of which may not appear for many years after being infected with syphilis.
This includes heart problems like angina, aortic aneurysm and heart failure, brain problems like seizures.
It can also cause memory problems, personality changes and dementia, nerve problems like shooting pains, pins and needles, joint pain and problems with the skin, bones, testicles, liver and any other organ.
Signs And Symptoms Of STDs In Men
In some cases, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or infections (STIs) cause no noticeable symptoms. When they do occur, STI symptoms in males can include discharge, bleeding, painful blisters, and more.
It is crucial for everyone who is sexually active to be aware of STD and STI symptoms. When a person with an STI receives treatment early, the outlook is usually excellent.
In this article, we look at some of the most common STIs in males. We also explore the symptoms, signs, treatments, and best methods of prevention.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), people contract more than 1 million STIs every day, globally.
In some cases, an STI causes no noticeable symptoms, so it is possible to have one without knowing it. It may also be easy to mistake STI symptoms for those of another issue.
Below, learn about common STIs and how they affect males.
Chlamydia is a bacterial STI that passes from person to person through anal, oral, or vaginal sex without a condom. In a male, chlamydia can develop in the urethra, rectum, or throat.
Some call chlamydia a "silent" infection because people are often unaware that they have it. The majority of these infections in males cause no symptoms.
If symptoms do occur in males, they arise several weeks after the infection develops.
Common symptoms of chlamydia in the urethra include:
Chlamydia in the rectum is less common and usually causes no symptoms, but it can cause:
Rarely, chlamydia develops in the epididymis, the tube that carries sperm from the testicles. This can cause:
To test for this issue, a healthcare provider usually asks for a urine sample, but they may use a cotton swab to get a sample from the urethra instead.
TreatmentTreating chlamydia with oral antibiotics is relatively straightforward. It may involve taking a single dose or a 7-day course of an antibiotic. Repeat infections are common, however, so it is a good idea to have another test after completing the treatment.
Herpes is an infection with the herpes simplex virus (HSV). There are two types of the virus, and they tend to affect different parts of the body
HSV–1, also called oral herpes, causes cold sores in and around the mouth.HSV–2 almost always passes on through sex without a condom and causes genital herpes.
Many people with herpes have no symptoms, and others may have difficulty identifying their symptoms. Mild herpes blisters can resemble insect bites, ingrown hairs, or razor burn.
If they do arise, the symptoms typically appear 2–12 days after the infection develops.
Common symptoms of herpes in males include:
To diagnose herpes, a doctor can use a blood test or a polymerase chain reaction test. The latter involves checking for signs of the infection in the person's DNA, and it can be especially useful when the person has no visible symptoms.
If a person has visible sores on or around their genitals, a doctor can test for herpes using a cell culture. This involves collecting a sample of the fluid inside one of the sores.
TreatmentThere is no cure for herpes, and outbreaks of symptoms can reoccur over time. Treatments focus on managing the symptoms and extending the time between outbreaks.
Gonorrhea is an infection with Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacteria. It can develop in the urethra, rectum, or throat, and the bacteria can transmit through vaginal, anal, or oral sex without a condom.
Most males with gonorrhea have no symptoms. When gonorrhea in the urethra does cause symptoms, they usually appear 1–14 days after the infection has developed.
Symptoms of gonorrhea in males include:
First, the doctor asks the person about their symptoms and medical history. Next, they order a test, which might involve a urine sample or a swab of the penis, urethra, anus, or throat.
Home testing kits are also available. They involve taking a sample and sending it to a lab, which returns the results to the person directly. If the result is positive, the person needs to see a doctor for treatment.
It is worth noting, however, that the doctor may wish to do another test to confirm the diagnosis.
TreatmentHealthcare providers can treat gonorrhea with antibiotics. These can stop the infection from progressing, but they cannot reverse any damage already done.
For this reason, anyone with symptoms of the infection or likely exposure to it should see a healthcare provider for testing right away.
The medical community is becoming increasingly concerned about the rise of antibiotic resistant gonorrhea. This resistance makes successful treatment much more difficult, if not impossible.
Bacteria are also responsible for syphilis, which transmits through vaginal, anal, or oral sex without a condom.
Men who have sex with men (MSM) have a higher risk of contracting syphilis. Almost 70 percent of primary and secondary syphilis diagnoses in 2017 were in MSM.
Syphilis is also known as "The Great Pretender" because its symptoms can resemble those of other diseases. Symptoms usually appear 10–90 days after infection, with 21 days being the average.
The symptoms of syphilis progress in stages known as primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary. Each stage has its own unique set of symptoms that can last for weeks, months, or even years.
The symptoms of primary syphilis include:
Secondary syphilis can cause the following signs and symptoms:
The latent, or "hidden," stage of syphilis, during which there are no visible symptoms, can last for several years.
Tertiary syphilis is very rare. It can cause severe health complications that affect multiple organ systems. The symptoms of tertiary syphilis include:
DiagnosisHealthcare providers are likely to run blood tests or examine some of the fluid from a sore to check for syphilis.
TreatmentA healthcare provider may recommend an antibiotic called benzathine benzylpenicillin to treat primary, secondary, and early latent syphilis. People who are allergic to penicillin will need to use a different antibiotic, such as doxycycline or azithromycin.
Although antibiotics will prevent the infection from progressing, they cannot repair any permanent damage resulting from the infection.
People also use the term "HPV" to refer to the infections that these viruses cause.
HPV is a common STI that typically affects people in their late teens and early 20s. Males with HPV may never develop symptoms, or the symptoms may arise months or even years after the infection develops.
The most common symptoms of HPV in males are warts in the mouth or throat and genital warts — small bumps around the penis or anus.
HPV is unusual among STIs because vaccines can prevent it. These are Gardasil and Cervarix, and they are effective against HPV types 16 and 18, high-risk strains that can lead to certain types of cancer.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that children aged 11–12 years receive the HPV vaccine and that all males up to the age of 45 years get vaccinated if they have not yet done so.
DiagnosisThere is currently no HPV screening or tests for males. A healthcare provider may be able to make a diagnosis based on any genital warts that are present.
TreatmentMost cases of HPV resolve without treatment and cause no complications. However, if the infection persists, and the person does not receive treatment, it can lead to problems, including certain types of cancer.
No HPV treatment has received formal approval, but there are ways to manage any symptoms and complications. For example, topical and oral medications can treat genital warts.
HIV is a virus that attacks the body's immune cells. It spreads through some, but not all, bodily fluids, including semen, vaginal and anal fluids, and blood.
Having sexual intercourse without a condom is the most common method of transmission.
Many people with HIV experience flu-like symptoms within 2–6 weeks of developing the infection. Common symptoms of HIV in males are:
Other symptoms may include:
Doctors can test a person's blood for HIV antibodies. They perform the test more than once before confirming a positive result. Home testing kits are also available.
Current HIV tests make it possible to detect HIV in under 2 weeks. People with known risk factors should undergo testing more often.
TreatmentWhile there is no cure for HIV, treatments can prevent symptoms and transmission. They can also keep the infection from progressing to cause AIDS.
The treatments are called antiretroviral therapy, and they reduce the amount of the virus in the body. When the amount is so low that a test cannot detect it, this eliminates the risk of transmitting HIV.
Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver, often due to a viral infection. One of the most common hepatitis viruses is the hepatitis B virus (HBV). It can pass on through blood, semen, and some other bodily fluids.
Healthcare providers classify each HBV infection as either acute, meaning that it is temporary and will last for a few weeks, or chronic, in which case it is a severe, lifelong condition.
Most people with hepatitis B have no symptoms. People with symptoms may easily mistake them for those of cold or flu, and they tend to appear about 90 days after the HBV infection develops.
Hepatitis B signs and symptoms include:
A vaccine can prevent hepatitis B, and the WHO recommend that all infants receive at least three doses of this vaccine.
DiagnosisHealthcare providers look for signs of liver damage, such as jaundice. Some tests that can help diagnose hepatitis B include:
TreatmentThere is currently no treatment for acute hepatitis B. Medications can treat chronic hepatitis B, and research in this area is ongoing.
People with chronic hepatitis B need regular checkups for signs of liver disease.
STIs often cause no symptoms in males, which makes it hard for health authorities to estimate the real number of cases.
When they receive treatment, people with STIs have a good outlook. If a person does not receive treatment, these infections can become chronic conditions, and some can cause dangerous complications.
People can prevent STIs by using barrier protection, such as condoms or dental dams, during sex. Also, vaccines can prevent HPV and hepatitis B.
Anyone who is sexually active should undergo regular testing for STIs. This will ensure quick detection and treatment and help prevent the infections from passing on.
What To Know About Anal Herpes
Anal herpes is when the viral infection of herpes affects the anus. Herpes can cause blisters and sores around the mouth, genitals, buttocks, or anus.
Herpes does not always cause symptoms. When it does, people with anal herpes may notice blisters or sores in or around their anus. Because the symptoms are similar, anal herpes may be confused with hemorrhoids or syphilis.
In this article, we give an overview of anal herpes, including how to identify and diagnose the condition, treatment for it, and how to reduce the risk of infection.
The herpes simplex virus causes all types of herpes. It is a contagious virus, meaning that people can catch it from physical contact with each other.
Sexual contact is often how genital herpes and anal herpes are transmitted. Because of this, they are considered sexually transmitted infections or STIs.
There are two kinds of herpes virus:
HSV-2 causes most cases of anal herpes in humans. The virus spreads through sexual contact with an individual who has the infection.
The World Health Organization estimates that 417 million people, or 11 percent of those aged 15–49 years of age worldwide, have the HSV-2 infection.
Many people do not experience symptoms immediately, and the infection can go undetected for years. Even if people have no symptoms, they can transmit the infection to others.
Common symptoms of anal herpes include:
The symptoms of anal herpes are similar to the symptoms of several other conditions, including hemorrhoids and syphilis. A doctor may be able to identify the condition by sight or physical examination.
Doctors may recommend a blood test to look for the herpes virus.
Otherwise, they may take a swab of the affected area and use the sample to run a DNA test called nucleic acid amplification testing, or NAAT. These newer tests are fast, accurate, and can tell if a person has an HSV-1 or HSV-2 infection.
Since anal herpes is a viral infection, treatment is usually with antiviral medications. These types of drugs fight off the virus activity in the system and help reduce or control symptoms.
Antiviral medicines also reduce the duration of the infection and the risk of the virus being passing on to a sexual partner.
Doctors should treat people as soon as possible since early treatment decreases the risk of transmission to others.
Examples of antiviral medicines to treat anal herpes include Famvir, Valtrex, and Zovirax.
Intimate sexual contact with a person who has the infection is how anal herpes spreads. Hence, people can get anal herpes by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with a person who has the virus.
Direct mouth or skin contact allows the virus to be transmitted easily via:
Below is a 3-D model of herpes which is fully interactive.
Explore the 3-D model, using your mouse pad or touchscreen, to understand more about herpes.
Anal herpes is contagious, but not everyone with the herpes virus shows symptoms. This means that people can contract the virus without their knowledge.
Ways to reduce the risk of contracting herpes include:
If someone's sexual partner has anal herpes, they can lower the risk of transmission by using barrier contraception and avoiding sexual activity when their partner has an outbreak or active infection.
People who have had herpes should take any prescribed antiviral medication, as instructed by a doctor, and attend follow-up appointments to make sure they keep the virus under control.
There is no current cure for HSV-2 infections so the condition may require lifelong management.
However, even if people have the herpes virus, it will not always produce symptoms and is not always transmissible.
The infection is known to recur in some people under certain conditions that re-activate the virus, such as illness, stress, sunlight, or fatigue.
Repeated outbreaks tend to be shorter and less severe than the first outbreak. Although the virus remains in the body for the rest of the person's life, the number of outbreaks may gradually decrease over time.
Anal herpes is a type of genital herpes. It is more common today than it was some decades ago.
While doctors cannot cure the infection, there are now many antiviral medicines available that reduce symptoms and decrease the risk of transmitting it to others.
Awareness is key to reducing the spread of anal herpes, as is practicing sex with condoms and following good personal hygiene.
Comments
Post a Comment