STD myths debunked
HALF-TRUTHS and misinformation about sex are a dime a dozen, and below, obstetrician-gynaecologist at Gynae Associates, Dr Daryl Daley, debunks some of the bizarre STD myths that All Woman readers say they believed, or which were passed on to them as fact.
Dionne:
Well, I heard that ‘dog blood bush’ could cure syphilis. I believed it for several years and I know there is a herbal treatment for almost anything, so I never really doubted it.
Dr Daley:
I thought that I had heard it all, but ‘dog blood bush’ definitely is a first! Although I believe some herbal remedies have a role in the treatment of certain ailments, medical evidence for years has proven that the good old Penicillin injection is the treatment of choice for syphilis. An injection weekly at the appropriate dosage for three weeks is the treatment of choice for syphilis. To see if treatment has been adequate, confirmatory blood tests can be repeated in three months.
Clement:
Everybody must know this one by now — that having sex with a virgin can cure any STD, including HIV/AIDS.
Dr Daley:
I have heard this many times; unfortunately, this is not true. As of date, there is no cure for HIV/AIDS. The only way we can adequately treat this virus is to keep its presence in the blood at as low a value as possible. This is achieved with antiretroviral drugs such as Combivir and Alluvia. People with HIV/AIDS can have a normal lifespan as long as the medication is taken.
Troy:
Women can store up STDs, so they can have diseases for years and years even if they take treatments for it.
Dr Daley:
This has some truth. Human Papilloma Virus, the virus that is responsible for cervical cancer, can remain in a woman’s system for years even from the first sexual exposure. Yearly Pap smears and cervical cancer vaccines can prevent the development of cervical cancer that usually takes 20-30 years to develop. The herpes simplex virus can stay in the system for a lifetime. When a woman is stressed or unwell, painful blisters can form on the lip (night fever) or on the genitals. These can be prevented with an adequate diet and antiretroviral medication. Chlamydia can also remain in the cells of the cervix and tubes if untreated.
Derron:
The morning-after pill can cure any STD a woman contracts during sex, but she must take the pills within 72 hours.
Dr Daley:
The morning-after pill does not cure any STD. It is beneficial in preventing unwanted pregnancies. It is most effective when taken within the first 72 hours of the sexual encounter. It is not a replacement for contraception and it is not recommended to be used regularly.
Tavan:
You only get STDs when you have vaginal penetration.
Dr Daley:
STDS can be transmitted via oral, anal and vaginal sex! No route protects you from any STDs.
Alia:
I remember squatting over my toilet at home out of fear that I could become pregnant or get an STD because of something left on the seat.
Dr Daley:
You cannot become pregnant or catch STDS by sitting on a toilet seat. However, certain STDS such as hepatitis and herpes can be spread if people share towels or undergarments which contain sweat.
Moyan:
I lost my virginity early to this guy who also gave me chlamydia and when I talked to him about it, he told me it would go away after a while.
Dr Daley:
Chlamydia does not disappear by itself. It needs to be treated with antibiotics. Sometimes it is possible for chlamydia to remain in the cells of the cervix/tubes for years if untreated.
Kim:
I once thought only promiscuous people got STDs and people with only one partner were somehow automatically protected.
Dr Daley:
STDs show no partiality. Some of the prettiest and most beautiful women I have seen as patients have sexually transmitted diseases. The truth is that if you are sexually active you are at increased risk of getting STDS, especially if you have multiple partners and don’t practise safe sex. Even if you are monogamous, certain STDs, namely human papilloma virus, and the herpes virus can be transmitted to your partner as you may have been exposed to it at an earlier date unknowingly, and these STDs sometimes show no symptoms. It’s always best to practise safe sex with a condom and to get tested frequently.
Deno:
Like pink eye or chicken pox, I heard you can only catch some STDs once because of the types of cells that make up some of these diseases.
Dr Daley:
This is not entirely true. Both HIV and herpes antibodies will remain in your body for a lifetime, even if you appear healthy. With regards to herpes, the body may have outbreaks from time to time with associated blisters as mentioned above. Most other STDs are bacterial in nature, and once treated with antibiotics can recur if reinfected, such as human papilloma virus and chlamydia.
Dajea:
Once you have an STD you should be seeing bumps, rashes or strange-smelling discharges coming out of your private parts.
Dr Daley:
This is absolutely false! Two common STDs — chlamydia and herpes — can show absolutely no classical symptoms in patients, and both of them are easily transferable.
