HLWL 1109 Chapter Notes - Chapter 15: Birth Weight, Sub-Saharan Africa, Syphilis
24 Dec 2016
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Can be caused by bacterial or viral infections. Contagion: disease transmission by direct or indirect contact. At turn of 20th century, physicians believed that stis could be transmitted on pens, pencils, toothbrushes, towels and bedding. Stis have historically been viewed as symbols of corrupt sexuality. Attitudes about stis have been considerably more negative. Punishment concept of disease: to acquire an sti, one must break the silent moral code of sexual responsibility. Those who become infected therefore have done something bad. Conceptualization has endured because it serves as a defense mechanism. Overall, women are at greater risk for long term complications from stis because vaginal tissue is much more fragile than penile skin. Semen often remains in female reproductive tract if condom isn"t used. Women are more likely to be asymptomatic (not knowing they are infected) Some infections have properties of latency: a period in which a person is infected with a. Sti but does not test positive for it.
