If you are homosexual (and unintelligible)

Homosexuals are particularly susceptible to certain diseases, one of which is unconditionally lethal (AIDS), others are potentially (hepatitis B) and all are very unpleasant (almost every sexually transmitted disease is from herpes to syphilis). But a man or a woman, "hetero" or "homo," if you are sexually active, you must know the earliest symptoms of so-called venereal diseases, i.e. Transmitted sexually.

AIDS

It is no longer an "epidemic," which means the spread of the disease within a given population. Because AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) now captures the entire planet.

Initially , AIDS struck mostly homosexuals , among whom he was sexually transmitted, and drug addicts who distributed it, sharing infected needles. They remain at high risk, but today AIDS also threatens everyone who has undergone blood transfusion between 1979 and 1985 (before we learned to detect the presence of the AIDS virus in the blood), partners of bisexuals, children born to infected mothers and medical Employees . To what extent it can spread to other segments of the population is still unknown. Definitely, the affection among heterosexuals is increasing. So no one can consider himself safe.

AIDS is caused by the human immune deficiency virus (HIV), which destroys the body's immune system, making it vulnerable to various opportunistic infections, so called because they use the body's inability to defend itself. No treatment for AIDS at this time, is not expected in the near future. Prevention remains central to disease control.

Symptoms of AIDS

The disease manifests itself by various symptoms - either directly caused by the virus itself, or arising from secondary, opportunistic infections. The first sign of a viral infection can be a general swelling of the lymph glands - on the neck, in the groin, under the armpits. Unlike other causes of enlargement of the glands, with AIDS it does not pass. While one of the sick from five, who had swelling glands, gave a complete picture of the disease. (How much later, when time passes, one can only guess.) The rest of the gland simply remains swollen, which means a stopped phase of the disease.

In other cases, the virus can detect its presence by symptoms very similar to infectious mononucleosis: temperature, night sweats, extreme weakness, aching muscles , joint pains, headache, sore throat, diarrhea, swollen glands and mild rash . If you are in a high-risk group and you have any combination of these symptoms that lasts two weeks or more, AIDS is the real cause.

But instead of hitting the entire body in this way, the AIDS virus can attack any one system. One of the patients of the clinic, an elderly man, a homosexual, illegible in connections, was sent for an operation to remove the enlarged prostate gland. The operation was successful without complications. Then, when the patient was about to prescribe, he suddenly behaved quite irrationally. He did not know who he was, where, and was surprised by all strangers in white coats. It seemed that he had a stroke. It turned out that the man had an acute onset of AIDS. The virus has made its way to the brain, causing dementia. He died a month later.

The AIDS virus can thus affect any organ: the intestines , causing diarrhea; Kidneys , paralyzing their function; Skin , with a rare type of cancer called Kalosha's sarcoma; Lungs (in 50% of all patients, the lungs are primarily affected), with a special form of pneumonia - pneumocystis. Kaposi's sarcoma causes a rash, enlarges the lymph glands, penetrates the intestines (giving abdominal pain, temperature and diarrhea), can also affect the lungs , which leads to lack of breathing and coughing. Symptoms of pneumocystosis , which is caused by a fungus, are expressed in dry cough and shortness of breath. If you are in a high-risk group and you have such a cough for no apparent reason (you do not smoke, do not work in a dusty room and you do not have allergies), consult a doctor. The diagnosis of pneumonia in AIDS is confirmed by x-rays, sputum analysis and, at some point, a positive blood reaction to antibodies to the virus.

If you are at high risk and you often have fungal or other unusual infections in your mouth (and have not taken antibiotics or other medicines), you may have AIDS. The disease manifests itself in this way, because the weakened immune system of the body is unable to cope with the infection that has penetrated into the oral cavity.

The diagnosis of AIDS, even with strong suspicion, is not always immediately confirmed, since the presence of antibodies in the blood may not show up for months or even years after infection . This is one of the problems associated with blood transfusion, even today. The blood from the infected donor, which is in this "silent phase" before the body began to form antibodies to the virus, can give a negative result. So, although the risk of contracting AIDS with blood transfusion is now much lower, it still exists and is estimated as one per 40,000 transfusions.

Other diseases of homosexuals

Although AIDS has completely eclipsed all other sexually transmitted diseases, every sexually active person, but especially promiscuous male homosexuals, should be alert to the symptoms of other infections.

For example. The indication of syphilis , which is caused by an infectious microorganism, is the appearance of a painless "cold sore" on the genitals, in the mouth, near the anus - wherever there is sexual contact, which disappears without leaving a trace. You must distinguish it from herpes sores, which may occur in the same places; They are preceded by itching, burning or pain for several days, and they are covered with crusts before healing.

Although syphilitic chancre, as this ulcer is called, disappears without treatment, the disease itself remains. It enters the so-called secondary phase during the weeks and causes a set of characteristic symptoms: temperature, lymph gland enlargement, headache and skin rash. Without treatment, the infected organism then passes into the tertiary phase when the internal organs of the body are affected, silently being destroyed for years. Although the disease is not contagious at this stage, it can cause devastating symptoms in the heart, liver, eyes, brain and many other organs.

Nobody is protected from syphilis, but homosexuals account for 50% of all cases. The congenital form of the disease can also be transmitted from the infected mother to the child. The course of penicillin or another antibiotic is all that is needed to cure the infection in the primary and secondary phases. It is much more difficult to treat the tertiary phase after organ damage has occurred.

Discharge from the penis may reflect either non-venereal irritation, or sexually transmitted diseases, gonorrhea and chlamydia , each of which is caused by infectious organisms. You can distinguish them by the nature of the secretions: yellowish-green pus in gonorrhea, liquid-watery and colorless discharge in chlamydia. If you get swollen and swollen joints (knee, ankle or elbow) weeks after the appearance of discharge from the penis, this is another evidence of gonorrhea. What do joints with this sexually transmitted infection have in common? Her pathogen "gonococcus" gets into the blood and, in the absence of treatment, can linger in the joint and infect it. Like syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia are cured with an appropriate antibiotic.

Homosexuals are characterized by a high incidence of hepatitis B. Unlike hepatitis A, which almost always passes, hepatitis B can go on to chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, cancer and lead to death. The hepatitis B vaccine provides almost complete protection against the virus that causes this disease. So, if you are a homosexual and have not been vaccinated, immediately go to the doctor and take an injection. The original vaccine was derived from human blood products, and many were afraid of contracting AIDS through it - although there was no reason for fear. The newest vaccine is produced by recombining DNA, which does not require human blood. Therefore, there is no reason for refusing to vaccinate.

Symptoms of hepatitis B - loss of appetite, lethargy, apathy, low temperature and sometimes pain in some joints. Then comes jaundice - a yellow tint of skin and whites of the eyes. The diagnosis is confirmed by specific blood tests. The course of treatment includes bed rest, appropriate diet, medications, steroids, interferon and complete abstinence from alcohol.

Hemorrhoids are an extension of the veins of the rectum or anus, and homosexuals who practice anal intercourse are particularly prone to this disease. Hemorrhoids usually arise from poor intestinal hygiene, multiple births, nervous stress, or chronic constipation. But "homo" you or "hetero," a man or a woman, never assume that the blood on toilet paper is only a symptom of hemorrhoids, even if you are sure that you have it. Sometimes the presence of blood is evidence of cancer lurking in the intestine. Examine your intestines to be sure that you do not have two diseases at once.

If you are homosexual and you started diarrhea for an unclear reason, suspect the syndrome of homosexual intestines - infection and irritation of the lower intestine, caused by sexual intercourse through the anus.

Every homosexual should know the characteristic symptoms of illness for which he is particularly vulnerable, and with their appearance, immediately consult a doctor. But all sexually active people are vulnerable to most venereal infections. The more the number of sexual partners, the higher the risk. Abstinence is the only reliable way to protect, but there are other ways that can significantly reduce the risk. Choose partners carefully. Use condoms. Do not engage in dangerous forms of sexual relations. Many sexually transmitted diseases can be prevented and cured.