Gonorrhoea is a venereal disease caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae

How do you contract gonorrhoea?

Gonorrhoea is mainly transmitted through sexual contact. However, mothers infected with gonorrhoea can also transfer the disease to their children during delivery. If untreated, such children may develop a serious inflammation of the eyes, which can result in blindness.

What are the symptoms of gonorrhoea?

Of those infected, approximately half the women and a third of the men do not show any symptoms.

In men, the primary symptom is painful urination. Levels of pain can often be extremely severe. Discharge is also seen from the urethra (the tube through which urine passes from the body). At first, this discharge is slimy and of limited quantity but it quickly develops into a more substantial yellowish substance.

Homosexual men can develop gonorrhoea in the rectum. This varies from being symptom-free to involving the painful discharge of bloody pus from the rectum. In women, the symptoms tend to be more limited, normally consisting of painful urination and an increasing amount of discharge from the vagina.

In both sexes, a throat infection can occur as a result of oral sex with an infected partner. In most cases there are no further symptoms but sometimes a sore throat is accompanied by fever.

How is gonorrhoea treated?

Gonorrhoea is treated with antibiotics. If you suspect you are infected, it is extremely important that both you and your partner or partners are examined by a doctor.

Chlamydia

Chlamydia  stems from a bacterium, Chlamydia trachomatis. Women diagnosed with Chlamydia can also infect their newborn infant during delivery. Symptoms usually appear approximately 7 to 21 days after infection and differ for men, women and children.

Symptoms in men:

• inflammation of the urethra (the bladder duct within the penis)

• stinging feeling when passing water

• clear discharge from penis and possible itchiness around the opening

• pain or tenderness in the testicles.

Symptoms in women:

• stinging feeling when passing water

• unusual vaginal discharge

• pain caused by pelvic inflammation (pelvic inflammatory disease)

• pain during intercourse

• in some cases, bleeding between periods.

Symptoms in infants:

• inflammation of the eye (conjunctivitis) at birth

• problems breathing

• premature birth

• in rarer instances, pneumonia.

One of the most common ways of testing for Chlamydia is to collect a cell sample from the infected area (cervix or penis) with a cotton swab. This is then sent to a laboratory for evaluation. In the absence of a firm diagnosis, you may be referred to a specialist genitourinary clinic for further testing. Treatment consists of antibiotics, and should also be given to the patient's partner. A further swab is recommended once treatment has ended to check whether the infection has cleared.

Herpes genitalis (genital herpes)

Gential herpes is a highly contagious viral condition caused by the nerpes simplex virus (HSV). It principally infects the skin and mucous membranes of the genitals and rectum, but can also appear in areas such as the mouth. It is transmitted primarily through physical and sexual contact. For pregnant women, the presence of herpes simplex virus on the genitalia or in the birth canal is a threat to the infant. Infection in the newborn infant can lead to herpetic meningitis, herpetic viremia (herpes virus particles present in the blood) and chronic skin infection.
The symptoms of herpes simplex virus usually occur a week after infection, but sometimes take longer to appear. Initially, the skin becomes reddened and multiple small blisters filled with a clear, straw-coloured fluid appear. Prior to the presence of blisters, the infected individual may also experience increased skin sensitivity, tingling, burning or pain at the site where blisters will appear. Later, the blisters burst leaving shallow, painful ulcers which eventually scab and heal over a period of 7 to 14 days.
The outbreak may be accompanied by other symptoms such as:

• swelling and tenderness of the lymph nodes in the groin area.

• in women, vaginal discharge and painful urination.

• in men, a possibility of painful urination if the lesion is near the opening of the urethra.

• fever.

In most cases, a description of the condition and the appearance of the blisters will be enough to make a diagnosis. The GP may also advise referral to a specialist genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic for confirmation of the diagnosis.
There is no cure for the herpes simplex virus; once infected, patients will remain a carrier for the rest of their lives. Some remedies, however, can reduce the duration of the eruption.
 

Genital warts

Warts, or condylomata acuminata, are caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV). Up to nine months can pass from the time of infection to the actual development of warts. In women, human papilloma virus can lead to changes in the cervix and to the development of cervical cancer. Therefore, it is important that this condition is diagnosed and treated.

The symptoms are raised, rough, wart-like growths that may occur singly or in clusters. In men, they are usually found around the head of the penis and tend to be drier. In women, they appear most often around the vaginal opening and may spread to the rectal area. It is also possible for the virus to appear on or near the cervix as whitish, flat-like lesions, usually only detectable through close visual examination of the cervix (colposcopy). In both men and women, lesions may also be present in the mouth and throat. In general, symptoms can intensify if the immune system is weakened, or during pregnancy or if the person has diabetes. The warts are very contagious so safe sex is advisable.

 

Syphilis

Syphilis is a dangerous and life-threatening bacterial disease. After infection, the bacteria is transported through the body via the bloodstream and adversely affects vital organs such as the heart, brain, nervous system and spine.
The symptoms are divided into three stages.
Up to 12 weeks after the time of infection:

• one or more red lesions will develop on the penis, labia (lips of the vagina), anus and sometimes on the mouth and lips. These lesions disappear after a week.

Up to six months after the time of infection:

• a red rash appears on the chest, back, arms, legs, hands and soles of the feet

• high fever

• sore throat

• muscular fatigue

• general feeling of discomfort.

The Rubber Tree
Natural rubber is produced from the juice the flows from the rubber tree. The milky white      substance juice is called Latex, and continuously oozes out of the tree bark. This juice is then collected, as pictured below, and undergoes the manufacturing process.

Latex is collected from cups placed on rubber trees

Rubber Properties
Rubber, as a product, is especially useful because it can hold air, will keep out moisture and does not readily conduct electricity. However, its chief property is in its elasticity. When rubber products are bent and forced out of shape, including through normal wear and tear conditions, the rubber will quickly bounce back to retain its original shape

Uses of Rubber
Rubber is extensively used in our society. More than half of the rubber produced in the world is goes into the manufacture of tyres and tubing. Rubber is also used for mechanical products such as gaskets, sealing devices, belting and printing rollers. Also of interest, is the fact that many companies that take advantage of the unique characteristics of rubber in the production of waterproof aprons, boots, raincoats, gloves and hats.

Manufacturers also use certain kinds of rubber for cushions, mattresses, pillows and upholstery padding. It is the air pockets in the rubber sponge that makes these end products "springy". Combined with all the desirable properties rubber has to offer, it is the perfect substance to use in the making of fresh, safe and long-lasting supportive pillows.

The Evolution of Rubber
Up until the mid 1940's a rubber pillow is what every-one used. After the war, rubber became less available, and industrial research developed synthetic foams. It takes several years for rubber trees to grow to the stage that they can be tapped for their sap. New techniques now provide us with rubber that is reliably produced into a pillow that is soft and nurturing, yet firm and supporting - long term.

Production of Rubber
About 85% of the world's natural rubber grows on plantations in the Far East, chiefly in Malaysia and Indonesia. The world now uses more synthetic rubber than natural rubber. Synthetic rubber can be produced cheaply enough to compete with the cost of natural rubber. However, the rising cost of petroleum, used in making synthetic rubber, has slowed the growth of synthetic rubber production.

How to use a condom properly

In order to prevent any possible venereal disease, a condom is the best method to use, although it´s extremely important to use the best quality product, that´s why our condoms are a perfect contraceptive device, as our superior quality are a distinctive mark for any family planning method.

It is a good idea for people to practice putting a condom on and off - in private, on a penis or suitable object, before using one during sex. They will then feel happy and confident that they know what to do.

You should:

• Store them in a cool place, away from heat or sunshine which can damage rubber;
• Use a new condom each time, and use it only once. Check the date on the packet, and that the packet is not damaged, crushed or torn;
• Open the packet carefully, so the condom is not damaged. Check that the condom is neither brittle nor sticky. If it is, throw it away and use another one;
• When having sex, wait until the penis goes hard, but put the condom on before the penis touches the other person's sex organs or anus;
• Check that the condom is the right way up, with the roll on the outside;
• With one hand, pinch the top of the condom to press out the air bubble;
• With the other hand, roll the condom right down to the base of the penis, to the pubic hair;
• If a lubricant is used (and this can help to prevent the condom from splitting), use a water based one (Sensual Gel jelly), not oils, fat or cream which can damage the rubber;
• After sex, hold the condom in place and withdraw the penis from the vagina or anus while it is still hard;
• Take the condom off carefully, making sure that no semen is spilled, wrap it up and dispose of it carefully in a toilet or latrine.
• Never re-use a condom.

If a new condom is used each time a couple has sex, they will be protecting both themselves and their partners health and future life.