STDs on the rise in Canada.Toronto--In November 2004 (p.38), Catholic Insight reported on the rise of sexually transmitted diseases Sexually transmitted diseases Infections that are acquired and transmitted by sexual contact. Although virtually any infection may be transmitted during intimate contact, the term sexually transmitted disease is restricted to conditions that are largely like syphilis, gonorrhea, and HIM. In April 2005 (p.31) we noted that a virulent, highly drug-resistant superstrain of HIV HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), either of two closely related retroviruses that invade T-helper lymphocytes and are responsible for AIDS. There are two types of HIV: HIV-1 and HIV-2. HIV-1 is responsible for the vast majority of AIDS in the United States. had been detected in two American homosexuals. Now, additional information on this new strain has emerged. Called the "new AIDS," this disease has been reported' in 22 Canadians in recent months, all homosexual and "bisexual" men with high-risk, anonymous sexual practices (particularly bathhouse sex), according to the Canadian Medical Association Journal The Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) is a general medical journal that is published biweekly by the Canadian Medical Association (CMA). It is considered to be one of the top six general medical journals; the others being the . Unlike HIV-AIDS, this bacterial infection called lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) is easily treatable with antibiotics. LGV is common in tropical countries where tourists travel for casual on-demand sex, and is just now becoming known in industrialized countries. LGV makes it easier to acquire--and spread--other infections such as HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis C. Dr. Thomas Wong of the Public Health Agency of Canada The Public Health Agency of Canada (French: Agence de la santé publique du Canada) is an agency of Health Canada a department of the Government of Canada that is responsible for public health, emergency preparedness, and response and infectious and chronic disease control says: "LGV isn't the only sexually transmitted disease sexually transmitted disease (STD) or venereal disease, term for infections acquired mainly through sexual contact. Five diseases were traditionally known as venereal diseases: gonorrhea, syphilis, and the less common granuloma inguinale, we're seeing. The number of cases of syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia are all increasing" (Globe and Mail, June 1 2005, p.A17). Since 1966 the number of venereal diseases has increased from six to over fifty. |
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