The prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases has risen in the last 2 decades. This has become a concern as the rate of infection is growing at an alarming rate. In an effort to reduce the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, several initiatives have been put in place to motivate the communities to fight against such infections.
One of the most notable initiatives is the CDC’s award for community approaches to STDs prevention (Center for Disease Control, 2010). This essay will discuss the prevalence of gonorrhea and its impacts on the community. The paper seeks to unravel the untold dangers and risks of gonorrhea infections and the general community view and knowledge of its existence.
Gonorrhea is one of the top ten sexually transmitted diseases in the world although it is rarely mentioned as a global threat. Unlike HIV/AIDS, gonorrhea is less fatal but its impacts significantly disturb. Patients infected with gonorrhea experience a lot of pain and discomfort and in cases where the infection is left untreated for long, other effects ensue (Center for Disease Control, 2010). They include some long term medical conditions like infertility and heart diseases.
In the initial stages, gonorrhea can be contracted in the genitals, throat and in some cases in the rectum (Salerno, 2013). However, prolonged infection allows the disease to spread and affect other parts of the body.
In the United States, gonorrhea is the second most commonly reported disease and its effects are mostly depicted in women (Center for Disease Control, 2010). The most common outcome of gonorrhea infection in women includes tubal infertility, ectopic pregnancy, as well as chronic pelvic pain (Salerno, 2013).
Between 1975 and 1997, the rate of gonorrhea infections was reduced and a 74% decline was recorded (Center for Disease Control, 2010). However, this was the lowest rate that has ever been recorded in the history of gonorrhea. In 2009 and 2010, the prevalence of gonorrhea increased to 100.8%.
Comparing the rate of infection between men and women, research has proven that infection was more prevalent among men before 1996 (Salerno, 2013). Since 1997, its prevalence among women has been increasing rapidly. The rate of gonorrhea infection among teenagers and young adults is rising at an alarming rate.
Women between the ages of 15-19 are at a greater risk while in males, the disease is more prevalent among the 20-24 age groups. The community is trying to cope with the rising cases of gonorrhea infections in all age groups because research shows the prevalence is increasing in all the age groups.
The blacks in the United States are more vulnerable to STD infections compared to the whites. The rising levels of infections are just a reflection of the moral breakdown in this generation. Young adults and teenagers are reported to be sexually active at a very young age. In addition, the moral standards in our society are almost dysfunctional especially in colleges. Young people indulging in unprotected sexual relations are the major cause of the current situation.
This paper has clearly outlined the prevalence of gonorrhea and its impacts on the society as well as the human body. This paper gives an overview of the various impacts faced by the community because of STDs with reference to gonorrhea and the American society. The disease is noted as one of the greatest and most frequently reported disease by the Center of Disease Control.
References
Center for Disease Control. (2010). 2010 Sexually Transmitted Diseases Surveillance. Web.
Salerno, R. (2013). Drug-resistant gonorrhea highly prevalent in gay community. Web.