Cabinet Members of the Philippines 2019

 Office of The Executive Secretary – Salvador Medialdea

 Department of Foreign Affairs – Teodoro L. Locsin Jr.
 Department of Finance – Carlos Dominguez III
 Department of Agriculture – Emmanuel Piñol
 Department of Public Works and Highways – Mark A. Villar
 Department of Education – Leonor Magtolis Briones
 Department of Labor and Employment – Silvestre H. Bello III
 Department of National Defense – Delfin N. Lorenzana
 Department of Social Welfare and Development – Rolando Joselito D.
Bautista
 Department of Agrarian Reform – John R. Castriciones
 Department of Interior and Local Government – Eduardo M. Año
 Department of Transportation and Communications – Arthur Tugade
 Department of Science and Technology – Fortunato Dela Peña
 Department of Budget and Management – Benjamin Diokno
 Department of Energy – Alfonso G. Cusi
 Department of Health – Francisco Duque III
 Department of Trade and Industry – Ramon M. Lopez
 Department of Tourism – Bernadette Romulo Puyat
 Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Roy A. Cimatu
 Department of Information and Communications Technology – Eliseo Rio Jr.
 National Economic Development Authority – Ernesto Pernia
 Office of the Presidential Spokesperson – Ernesto “Ernie” Abella
 Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process – Jesus Dureza
 Presidential Adviser for the Visayas – Michael Lloyd Diño
 Presidential Management Staff – Usec. Ferdinand B. Cui Jr.
 Presidential Communications Operations Office – Martin Andanar
 Bureau of Customs – Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero
 Bureau of Internal Revenue – Commissioner Cesar R. Dulay
 Bureau of Immigration – Commissioner Jaime Hermo Morente
 National Intelligence Coordinating Agency – Paul Alex Monteagudo
 National Bureau of Investigation – Attorney Dante Gierran
 Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency- Director General Aaron N. Aquino
 Land Transportation Office – Edgar Galvante
 Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board – Attorney Martin
Delgra
 National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council – Ricardo Jalad
 Office of the Solicitor General – Jose Calida
 Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. – Chairman and CEO Andrea D.
Domingo
 Philippine National Police – Chief Oscar Albayalde
 Armed Forces of the Philippines – Lieutenant Gen. Benjamin Madrigal Jr.
 Presidential Security Group – Col. Jose Eriel Niembra
 National Security Council – Director Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr.
 Presidential Legal Counsel – Salvador Panelo
 Secretary to the Cabinet – Karlo Nograles
What you need to know about
STDs
Last updated Fri 29 June 2018
By Christian Nordqvist
Reviewed by Jill Seladi-Schulman, PhD

1. Chlamydia

2. Chancroid

3. Crabs

4. Herpes

5. Hepatitis B

6. Trichomoniasis

7. HIV and AIDS

8. HPV

9. Molluscum contagiosum

10. Scabies

11. Syphilis

12. Gonorrhea

13. Prevention

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are infections that pass from one
person to another through sexual contact.
They are also known as sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or venereal
diseases (VD).

Some STDs can spread through the use of unsterilized drug needles, from
mother to infant during childbirth or breast-feeding, and blood transfusions.
The genital areas are generally moist and warm environments, ideal for the
growth of yeasts, viruses, and bacteria.

People can transmit microorganisms that inhabit the skin or mucous

membranes of the genitals. Infectious organisms can also move between
people in semen, vaginal secretions, or blood during sexual intercourse.

Individuals pass on STDs more easily when they are not using contraceptive
devices, such as condoms, dams, and sanitizing sex toys.

Some infections can transmit through sexual contact but are not classed as
STDs. For example, meningitis can be passed on during sexual contact, but
people can acquire a meningitis infection for other reasons. It is therefore not
classed as an STD.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that there are more than 1
million new STDsacquired each day globally.

People between the ages of 15 and 24 years acquire half of all new STDs,
and 1 in 4 sexually active adolescent females has an STD. However, STD
rates among seniors are increasing.

The following sections explain the most common STD's.

Chlamydia
People spread STDs through sexual contact.

Chlamydia is an STD caused by Chlamydia trachomatis (C. trachomatis). This

bacterium only infects humans. Chlamydia is the most common infectious
cause of genital and eye diseases globally. It is also the most common
bacterial STD.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2015,
nearly 3 percentof girls aged 15 to 19 years had chlamydia.

Women with chlamydia do not usually show symptoms. Any symptoms are
usually non-specific and may include:
 bladder infection

 a change in vaginal discharge

 mild lower abdominal pain

If a person does not receive treatment for chlamydia, it may lead to the
following symptoms:

 pelvic pain

 painful sexual intercourse, either intermittently or every time

 bleeding between periods

Chancroid
Chancroid is also known as soft chancre and ulcus molle. It is a bacterial
infection caused by called streptobacillus Haemophilus ducreyi. The infection
causes painful sores on the genitals and is only spread through sexual
contact.

This infection is more common in developing nations, especially among

commercial sex workers and some lower socioeconomic groups. This is due
to the lack of access to healthcare services, the stigma attached to seeking
help, a lack of sufficient sexual health education, and other factors.

In 2015, just 11 cases of chancroid were reported in the United States.

Chancroid increases the risk of contracting HIV, and HIV increases the risk of
contracting chancroid.

Within 1 day to 2 weeks of acquiring the infection, the patient develops a

bump that turns into an ulcer within a day. The ulcer can be from 1/8 of an
inch to 2 inches across. It will be very painful and may have well-defined,
undermined borders and a yellowish-gray material at its base.

If the base of the ulcer is grazed, it will typically bleed. In some cases, the
lymph nodes swell and become painful.

Women often have at least four ulcers, while men usually have just one.
Males tend to have fewer and less severe symptoms. The ulcers typically
appear at the groove at the back of the glans penis in uncircumcised males,
or, in females, on the labia minora or fourchette.
 Chancroid is treated with a 7-day course of erythromycin, a single oral dose of
azithromycin, or a single dose of ceftriaxone.

Crabs, or pubic lice

Pubic lice manifestations are primarily spread through sexual contact. Pets do
not play any part in the transmission of human lice.

The lice attach to the pubic hair, and may also be sometimes found in the
armpits, mustache, beard, eyelashes, and eyebrows. They feed on human
blood.

The common term "crabs" comes from the crab-like appearance of the lice.

Genital herpes
This STD is caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). The virus affects the
skin, cervix, genitals, and some other parts of the body. There are two types:

 HSV-1, also known as herpes type 1

 HSV-2, also known as herpes type 2

Herpes is a chronic condition. A significant number of individuals with herpes
never show symptoms and do not know about their herpes status.

HSV is easily transmissible from human to human through direct contact.

Most commonly, transmission of type 2 HSV occurs through vaginal, oral, or
anal sex. Type 1 is more commonly transmitted from shared straws, utensils,
and surfaces.

In most cases, the virus remains dormant after entering the human body and
shows no symptoms.

The symptoms associated with genital herpes, if they do occur, may include:

blisters and ulceration on the cervix

 vaginal discharge

 pain on urinating
 fever

 generally feeling unwell

 cold sores around the mouth in type 1 HSV

Also, red blisters may occur on the external genital area, rectum, thighs, and
buttocks. These can be painful, especially if they burst and leave ulcers.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B can permanently damage the liver.

The hepatitis B virus (HBV) causes this STD.

 It is transmitted through contact with infected semen, blood, and other bodily
fluids. HBV is passed on in the following ways:

 unprotected sex

 using an unsterilized syringe

 being accidentally pricked by a sharp object

 drinking infected breast milk

 being bitten by a person with hepatitis B

The liver swells, and an individual can experience serious liver damage as a
result of HBV. This can eventually lead to cancer, and the disease can
sometimes become chronic. Blood donation centers always check to make
sure that any donors do not have hepatitis B.

Trichomoniasis
Trichomoniasis is a common STD that can affect both sexes. However,
women are more likely to experience symptoms. The infection is caused by a
single-celled protozoan parasite, Trichomonas vaginalis.

For women, the vagina is the most common site of infection, while for men it is
the urethra. Transmission may occur either by sexual intercourse or vulva-to-
vulva contact.

While women may acquire the infection from either male or female sexual
partners, men nearly always become infected from having sex with women.

Symptoms of trichomoniasis include:

 vaginal odor

 vaginal discharge

 pain or discomfort during sexual intercourse

 pain when urinating

A woman with trichomoniasis is more likely to acquire HIV once exposed to
the virus. A woman with trichomoniasis and HIV is also more likely to transmit
HIV virus onto other sexual partners.
What you should know about trichomoniasis
Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by a protozoan parasite and
affects more than 8 million people in the U.S. every year.
READ NOW

HIV and AIDS

A person cannot transmit HIV if a viral load cannot be detected in the blood.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) attacks the immune system, leaving its
host much more vulnerable to infections and diseases. If the virus is left
untreated, the susceptibility to infection worsens.

HIV can be found in semen, blood, breast milk, and vaginal and rectal fluids.
HIV can be transmitted through blood-to-blood contact, sexual contact, breast-
feeding, childbirth, the sharing of equipment to inject drugs, such as needles
and syringes, and, in rare instances, blood transfusions.

With treatment, the amount of the virus present within the body can be
reduced to an undetectable level. This means the amount of HIV virus within
 the blood is at such low levels that it cannot be detected in blood tests. It also
means that HIV cannot be transmitted to other people. A person with
undetectable HIV must continue to take their treatment as normal, as the virus
is being managed, not cured.

If HIV progresses without treatment and reaches stage 3, known as AIDS, it

can be fatal. However, modern medicine means that HIV need not reduce life
expectancy.

Human papillomavirus (HPV)

Human papillomavirus is a name for a group of viruses that affect the skin and
mucous membranes, such as the throat, cervix, anus, and mouth.

There are over 100 types of HPV, of which, about 40 can affect the genital
areas. These types may also transmit to the mouth and throat.

HPV infection can lead to:

 abnormal cell growth and alteration within the cervix, significantly increasing
the risk of cervical cancer

 genital warts
The majority of individuals with HPV have no symptoms and are unaware.
HPV is so common in the U.S. that almost every sexually active man and
woman will transmit the virus during their lifetime.

HPV is most commonly transmitted through vaginal or anal sex, oral sex, and
genital-to-genital contact. People with an HPV virus but no signs and
symptoms can still infect others.

A woman who is pregnant and has HPV might transmit the virus to her baby
during childbirth, although this is very rare.

Vaccination is the best way to prevent HPV.

Molluscum contagiosum
Molluscum contagiosum is a contagious, viral skin infection.
 There are four types:

 MCV-1, the most common type

 MCV-2, the most commonly sexually transmitted type

 MCV-3

 MCV-4
When the virus infects young children, it is not considered an STD.

Symptoms include small, round bumps and indents on the skin. If left
untreated, the bumps usually go away, but this can take up to 2 years. A
doctor can remove the bumps with chemicals, an electrical current, or by
freezing them. There are some prescription medicines that will eventually get
rid of the growths.

Scabies
Scabies is a contagious skin condition caused by Sarcoptes scabiei, a tiny
mite. They burrow into the skin and lay their eggs.

A person with scabies develops a skin rash and experiences intense

itchiness. People with scabies are often unaware of their condition for several
weeks after initial infection, which means scabies infestations spread rapidly.

The cause of scabies is unknown, although some believe poor living

conditions and a lack of personal hygiene are linked to the condition.
However, there is no scientific proof of this.

Scabies is most commonly transmitted through close body contact, such as

holding hands for a long time or sexual intercourse. Hugging or simply
shaking hands with a person who has scabies is unlikely to lead to
transmission.

The scabies mite cannot jump or fly. However, it can survive for 1 to 2 days
after leaving the human body. This means that sharing clothes or bedding with
a person who has scabies increases the risk of infection.

However, prolonged physical contact, as is likely to occur during sexual

intercourse, is the most common route of transmission.
 Symptoms of scabies may not occur for several weeks after initial
transmission and may include:

 A skin rash: The scabies mite leaves small red spots, known as burrow
marks. They look like tiny insect bites, and some people may think it
is eczema. Burrow marks typically appear as a small line of at least four tiny
spots and appear around the area of the elbows, wrists, and in between the
toes and fingers. Women experience this rash around the nipples and men
near the genitals.

 Intense itching: This gets worse at night or after taking a hot shower.

 Sores: After scratching the rash, the area can become inflamed, and crusty
sores may develop.
Less commonly, the rash may appear on the buttocks, ankles, armpits,
genitalia, groin, scalp, neck, face, head, shoulders, waist, soles of the feet,
lower leg, and knees.

Syphilis
Syphilis is the result of Treponema pallidum, a bacterium. It is transmitted by
sexual contact, and the person passing on the infection will have a syphilitic
lesion. A woman who is pregnant and also has syphilis can pass on this STD
to her baby, which can result in stillbirth or serious congenital deformities.

There is an incubation period of between 9 and 90 days after initial infection

before the symptoms of the disease occur, with an average incubation period
of 21 days. Each stage of syphilis has characteristic signs and symptoms.
Some people with syphilis show no symptoms, while others may experience
more mild presentations.

For some people with the condition, even if symptoms resolve, the bacterium
is still in the body and can cause serious health problems later on.

Gonorrhea
This sexually transmitted bacterial infection usually attacks the mucous
membranes. It is also known as the clap or the drip.

The bacterium, which is highly contagious, stays in the warmer and moister
cavities of the body.
 The majority of women with gonorrhea show no signs or symptoms. If left
untreated, females may develop pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Males
may develop inflammation of the prostate gland, urethra, or epididymis.

The disease is caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The bacteria can survive in

the vagina, penis, mouth, rectum, or eye. They can be transmitted during
sexual contact.

As soon as a person contracts gonorrhea, they risk spreading the bacteria to

other parts of the body. An individual may accidentally rub their eye and
spread the infection. This prolongs the treatment period. A woman who is
pregnant can pass the infection on to the infant during childbirth.

Symptoms of gonorrhea may occur between 2 to 10 days after initial infection,

in some cases, it may take 30 days. Some people experience very mild
symptoms that lead to mistaking gonorrhea for a different condition, such as a
yeast infection.

Males may experience the following symptoms:

 burning during urination

 testicular pain or swelling

 a green, white, or yellow discharge from the penis

Females are less likely to show symptoms, but if they do, these may include:

 spotting after sexual intercourse

 swelling of the vulva, or vulvitis

 irregular bleeding between periods

 pink eye, or conjunctivitis

 pain in the pelvic area

 burning or pain during urination

If the rectum becomes infected, a person with gonorrhea may experience anal
itching, painful bowel movements, and sometimes discharge. When
transmission occurs as a result of oral sex, there may be a burning sensation
in the throat and swollen glands.
Prevention

Condoms can help prevent the spread of STDs.

Sex using a condom is the safest way to prevent the spread of STDs.
Condoms are known as barrier contraceptives, due to their presentation of a
physical barrier to microbes.

For each oral, vaginal, or anal sex act, use a new latex condom. Condoms are
available to purchase online.

Avoid using an oil-based lubricant, such as petroleum jelly, when using a latex
condom. Non-barrier forms of contraception, such as oral contraceptives or
 intrauterine devices, do nothing to protect people from sexually transmitted
infections.

Here are other steps you can take to reduce the risk of an STD:

 Abstinence: Abstaining from any sexual act is the most effective way to
avoid an STD.

 Monogamy to one uninfected partner: A long-term, monogamous

relationship with one person who is not infected can reduce the risk of
contracting an STD.

 Vaccinations: There are vaccinations that can protect an individual from

eventually developing some types of cancer that are caused by HPV and
hepatitis B.

 Check for infections: Before sexual intercourse with a new partner, check
that the partner and yourself have no STDs.

 Drink alcohol in moderation: People who have consumed too much

alcohol are more likely to engage in risky behavior. Avoid using recreational
drugs, which may also affect judgment.

 Explain you want safe sex: Before engaging in any sexual act with a new
partner, communicate that you would only consider safe sex.

 Education: Parents, schools, and society need to teach children about the
importance of safe sex, and explain how to prevent becoming infected with
an STD, including information relevant to the LGBTQ community.
Take a responsible approach to getting intimate with another person, and it
could protect you from a range of health problems further down the line.