When syphilis first descended upon Europe, it was seen as a new plague, and anxiety and blame coalesced around this mysterious scourge. Was it a punishment from God? Was it introduced by a hated Other? Was it caused by the stars’ alignment or the presence of “bad air”? The panic it provoked foreshadowed the hysteria that surrounded the emergence of HIV in the 1980s, as syphilitics were discriminated against, feared, or thought to have received punishment for their “unbridled lust.”
We now know that syphilis is not caused by supernatural forces, foreigners, or “bad air,” but rather by a species of spiral-shaped bacteria called Treponema pallidum, which can cause infections in the vagina, anus, urethra, or penis, as well as the lips and mouth.
READ MORE:
http://blog.advocatesaz.org/2011/09/06/sti-awareness-syphilis/
STI Awareness: Bacterial Vaginosis and Chancroid
Sexually transmitted infections can be caused by viruses, bacteria, protozoans, and even animals. Bacterial vaginosis and chancroid are both infections caused by bacteria, which means that they can be treated with antibiotics. While bacterial vaginosis only affects people with vaginas, chancroid disproportionately affects people with penises. You can seek diagnosis and treatment for bacterial vaginosis and chancroid at a Planned Parenthood health center, as well as health clinics, private health-care providers, and health departments.
READ MORE: http://blog.advocatesaz.org/2011/08/22/sti-awareness-bacterial-vaginosis-and-chancroid/
Cytomegalovirus and Molluscum Contagiosum
Many well-known STIs, such as herpes and HIV/AIDS, are caused by viruses, but this article focuses on two lesser-known viral STIs, cytomegalovirus and molluscum contagiosum.
READ MORE:
http://blog.advocatesaz.org/2011/11/08/sti-awareness-cytomegalovirus-and-molluscum-contagiosum/
NEW: STI Awareness: Antibiotic-Resistant Gonorrhea
You’ve probably heard of MRSA, which is pronounced “mersa” and stands for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus — a strain of bacteria that has acquired resistance to methicillin, as well as pretty much every other antibiotic to boot. MRSA is an example of evolution by natural selection — what didn’t kill its ancestors made them stronger, spawning a drug-resistant strain.
Why are we talking about MRSA in a post about STIs? It’s not just because MRSA has apparently found a way to be transmitted sexually, but also because it helps make the concept of antibiotic-resistant gonorrhea more accessible. It wasn’t until less than a century ago that we finally developed a magic-bullet treatment for gonorrhea, and for a handful of decades it was quickly and easily treated with a dose of penicillin. Enter evolution by natural selection.
READ MORE HERE: http://blog.advocatesaz.org/2012/03/06/sti-awareness-antibiotic-resistant-gonorrhea/
Cytomegalovirus and Molluscum Contagiosum
Many well-known STIs, such as herpes and HIV/AIDS, are caused by viruses, but this article focuses on two lesser-known viral STIs, cytomegalovirus and molluscum contagiosum.
READ MORE:
http://blog.advocatesaz.org/2011/11/08/sti-awareness-cytomegalovirus-and-molluscum-contagiosum/
I think the worst part of having herpes isn’t the actual breakouts but the waiting in between breakouts. Every time my pubic area itches or hurts I think “oh no, I’m getting another breakout!” and then I obsessively check myself and finding out that no, no bumps here, isn’t really any relief. I first got diagnosed in April and got my second break out a few months after. I know it’s perfectly normal for me to go awhile without any symptoms, but I keep waiting for it to happen.
I want to remind all my followers that I really want this blog to be driven by you! I want this to be a support system for people with STDs/STIs. I want you to be able to share your personal stories and vent about any prejudice you’ve suffered from. I also want this to be about REAL education, not scare tactics. If you have an outbreak or expression of an STD and are comfortable with it, if you could submit a picture I’d be really grateful. As you probably know, most pictures you find online or in Sex Ed classes are of atypical cases where someone didn’t get treatment or it was an especially bad case. I want to show people that usually STDs/STIs aren’t as bad as that and it’s not a death sentence. As soon as I get a herpes expression I’ll take a picture, but until then feel free to submit you’re own stuff.
