Cartagena, watch out for STDs! – Metro magazine, tailored for Cartagena – News from Cartagena, Bolivar and Colombia

Jose David Vargas Tuñon *

According to various studies, sexually transmitted diseases – STDs – are a growing problem among the country’s young population, and the residents of Cartagena are not immune to its devastation, especially when it comes to infections. This despite the fact that we should all know that this evil is avoidable.

Recently, a number of media have quoted a report warning of this matter. According to the studies, the National Institutes of Health (INS) registered 4,716 HIV/AIDS cases in the first quarter of this year, a disproportionate increase compared to the numbers registered during the same period in 2022. Therefore, the entity recommends regular diagnostic testing to detect cases of STDs.

On March 8, 2023, Le Globo revealed the STD situation in Cartagena through a detailed balance of reported cases, estimating that in the first epidemiological period of 2023, 83% of registered cases corresponded to 20 Men between the ages of 34 and 34.

Following the same path, but this time referring to another well-known disease among the Cartagena population: syphilis in pregnancy, the El Tiempo newspaper states in its edition of 8 May 2023 that it has already reached the 17th week of epidemiology. 117 cases were reported, according to the Dadis Regional Health Administration, a disproportionate increase in the incidence of the disease compared to the same period in 2022, when 26 cases of congenital syphilis were registered.

However, despite all the compilation of reports on the subject, I have to say that these are just two of the most well-known STDs.

That being the case, I allow myself to explain in detail what the health authorities believe may be an increase.

Let me clarify: my expertise is not limited to any area of ​​health; I am a lawyer and I will be a historian, but I believe it is my responsibility to be conceptually precise about the diseases that can afflict us. some of them:

• Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV): The mechanism of transmission of this disease is contact with the bodily fluids of a person infected with the virus; once inside the body, its function is to destroy the immune system, and it does this by destroying white blood cells, which are necessary to treat the infection, which puts the patient in defense The status of the new disease.
• SYoAcquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
  : This is the final stage of HIV infection, which occurs when the immune system is severely damaged by the virus. Note that not everyone with HIV will develop AIDS.
• syphilis: According to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), this is a bacterial infection caused by: Treponema pallidum cause substantial morbidity and mortality. It is a sexually transmitted infection – STI – usually spread through contact with infected sores on the genitals, anus, rectum, lips or mouth; through blood transfusions or from mother to child during pregnancy.
• Hepatitis B: According to the World Health Organization – WHO, this is “A life-threatening liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). It is a major health problem worldwide. It can become chronic and carries a high risk of death from cirrhosis and liver cancer.. And its transmission mechanism turned out to be “Through needlesticks, tattoos, piercings, and exposure to blood or infected bodily fluids (such as saliva, semen, vaginal fluid, and menstrual fluid). The virus can also be spread through the reuse of contaminated needles, syringes or sharp objects in health facilities, community settings, or by injecting drug use. Sexual transmission was more frequent among unvaccinated people with multiple sexual partners. It turns out that this is one of the most silent STDs, as some people may not experience symptoms, but some will show severe symptoms Symptoms last for several weeks, such as yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice), dark urine, extreme tiredness, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.
• gonorrhea: It is caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae and can be spread through any type of sexual activity. It can become infected through contact with the mouth, throat, eyes, urethra, vagina, penis, or anus. Patients present with symptoms of pain and burning during urination; increased urinary frequency or urgency; discharge from the penis (white, yellow, or green); redness or swelling at the opening of the penis (urethra); tenderness or swelling of the testicles; sore throat (gonococcal pharyngitis).

Therefore, after knowing the broad conceptual manual on the most common sexually transmitted diseases, it is important, as a final reflection, to believe in the need to consolidate a robust detection and prevention system in the municipality of Cartagena.

Likewise, greater emphasis is placed on the work of parents in teaching young people about sex education issues and the short- and long-term consequences of irresponsible sex.

In addition, in order to meet the requirements of our health department, especially when we are about to elect a new mayor, the new government must formulate an effective shock plan so that more young people can stay away from STDs and live a fulfilling life, A avoidable evil.

* Lawyer, history student at the University of Cartagena

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