Venereal Disease

Description

Venereal disease is a general term for diseases transmitted through direct sexual contact with an affected person. Once established, and if left untreated, these diseases can spread through the bloodstream and cause extensive damage to other organs and tissues. Some common sexually transmitted diseases are gonorrhea, herpes genitalis, and syphilis.

Gonorrhea
Commonly known as the "clap," is the most common form of venereal disease. This bacterial infection primarily affects a man's urethra and a woman's cervix. It is extremely contagious, being contracted through sexual coitus, oral sex and anal sex. When left untreated, gonorrhea extends upward through the affected tract, and can spread through the bloodstream to infect joints, skin, bone, tendons and other tissues and organs.

Herpes genitalis
An acute, inflammatory disease of the genitalia. It is the second most common type of venereal disease. Contraction of this disease is through direct contact with an active herpes sore, and possibly through contact with infected toilet seats, towels and bath tubs. During pregnancy, a woman afflicted with this disease can transmit it to the newborn unless a cesarean section is performed. The disease may recur months or years after its first appearance, but any subsequent attack is usually less severe than the original. Generally, once any type of herpes virus invades the body, it will exist there for life, remaining dormant most of the time. For more information, see herpes simplex.

Syphilis
A bacterial infection and is the most serious type of venereal disease. The bacterial organisms easily penetrate the moist mucous membranes of the mouth, vagina, and penile urethra. It is manifested in three stages. The first two stages take the form of a rash and are contagious. The third stage arises after a latency period of several years, is not contagious and has manifestations in the cardiovascular and central nervous systems.

Causes

Gonorrhea
Direct sexual contact with a person infected with the gonococcus

Herpes genitalis
Transmitted through sexual activity with or from the contaminated hands of an afflicted individual
May be transmitted through oral sex with a person having an active oral herpes sore (herpes simplex Type I) virus
Indirect transmission by contact with:
Contaminated stools
Contaminated towels
Other contaminated objects

Syphilis
Direct sexual contact with a person afflicted by Treponema pallidum, a bacterium, in the first two stages of the illness

Signs & Symptoms

Gonorrhea
Painful urination
Cloudy discharge from the penis or vagina
Deep, aching pain in the lower abdomen of women
Deep, aching pain in the genitals of men
Rectal pain or cloudy discharge during bowel movements (symptomatic of infection from anal sexual intercourse)
Sore throat (symptomatic of infection from oral sexual intercourse)

Herpes genitalis
This condition may be asymptomatic. When symptoms do arise, they do so 6 to 21 days after infection:

Pain or tenderness near the genitalia
Itching of the genitalia
Fever
Headache
Blisters in the vagina or cervix of women
Blisters on the penis or scrotum of men

Syphilis
After an incubation period of 90 days, the first stage appears as:

Painless ulcerations called chancres on the genital area, rectum, or mouth; chancres heal in 1 to 12 weeks

Second stage occurs about six weeks after the chancres heal:

Fever
Headache
Fatigue
Sore throat
Aching joints
Swelling of the glands of the neck, armpits, and groin
Grayish-white erosions in the lining of the mouth, vulva, penis, anus, and warm, moist areas such as the underarms
Wart-like growths in the genital areas
Sores, growths, and rashes heal within three to six weeks without treatment

The third stage is the latent stage; progression of this stage will eventually lead to damage of the nervous system, including:

Paralysis
Insanity
Loss of equilibrium
Loss of sensation to the legs
Intracranial damage such as aneurysm may also result

Nutritional Supplements

Structure & Function:
        Immune System Support
        Hair, Skin and Nail Support &
        Amino Acids

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General Supplements
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	Adult
Copper	2 - 5 mg
Niacin	100 - 1,000 mg
Selenium	100 - 300 mcg
Vitamin C	1,000 - 6,000 mg
Zinc	10 - 30 mg

Note: All amounts are in addition to those supplements having a Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA). Due to individual needs, one must always be aware of a possible undetermined effect when taking nutritional supplements. If any disturbances from the use of a particular supplement should occur, stop its use immediately and seek the care of a qualified health care professional.

Dietary Considerations

Immune Strengthening Diet is recommended. Penicillin G is an antibiotic is often prescribed in the treatment of syphilis and gonorrhea. Penicillin G is inactivated in an acidic environment. It should be taken an hour before, or two hours after, a meal since there is less acidity in the stomach in the absence of food and, moreover, clearance time through the stomach is shorter. Penicillin G also should never be taken with acidic liquids such as:

Canned juices:	Wine
Cherry juice	Club soda
Cranberry juice	Cream soda
Grapefruit juice	Cherry soda
Grape juice	Cola drink
Lemon juice	Ginger ale
Lime juice	Root beer
Pineapple juice	Sarsaparilla
Prune juice	Tomato juice

Homeopathic Remedy

Gonorrhea (Clap)

1.* Thuja occidentalis tinct. - 30C
2.* Medorrhinum - 10M, one dose per week
3. Clematis erecta - 30C
4.* Pulsatilla nigricans - 30C

Syphilus

1. Mercurius Vivus - 30C
2. Calotropis gigantea (follows merc.) - tincture - 5 drops, 3X day
3. Platinum muriaticum - 30C

Treatment Schedule

Doses cited are to be administered on a 3X daily schedule, unless otherwise indicated. Dose usually continued for 2 weeks. Liquid preparations usually use 8-10 drops per dose. Solid preps are usually 3 pellets per dose. Children use 1/2 dose.

Legend

X = 1 to 10 dilution - weak (triturition)
C = 1 to 100 dilution - weak (potency)
M = 1 to 1 million dilution (very strong)
X or C underlined means it is most useful potency

Asterisk (*) = Primary remedy. Means most necessary remedy. There may be more than one remedy - if so, use all of them.

References
Boericke, D.E., 1988. Homeopathic Materia Medica.

Coulter, C.R., 1986. Portraits of Homeopathic Medicines.

Kent, J.T., 1989. Repertory of the Homeopathic Materia Medica.

Koehler, G., 1989. Handbook of Homeopathy.

Shingale, J.N., 1992. Bedside Prescriber.

Smith, Trevor, 1989. Homeopathic Medicine.

Ullman, Dana, 1991. The One Minute (or so) Healer.

Herbal Approaches

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Herbs
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Echinacea (Echinacea augustifolia)
Garlic
Goldenseal
Sarsaparilla Root (Smilax officinalis)

Note: The misdirected use of an herb can produce severely adverse effects, especially in combination with prescription drugs. This Herbal information is for educational purposes and is not intended as a replacement for medical advice.

Discussion:

Sarsaparilla enjoyed several hundred years as the premier treatment for syphilis in many parts of the world (including Europe and China) although it was opposed by the standard allopathic treatment of mercury. Its success rate could be as high as 90%.

Herbal antivirals include: Echinacea, Garlic and berberines, like Goldenseal (Barberry or Oregon Grape). In women the berberine can be applied via douches and saturated tampons.

References:

Bensky, D & Gamble, A: A Chinese Herbal Medicine Materia Medica. Seattle, 1986.

Aromatherapy - Essential Oils

Chancre sores:	Lavender Essence.
Gonorrhea:	Garlic Essence, Juniper Essence, Lemon Essence, Sandalwood Essence.
Syphilis:	Lemon Essence.

Related Health Conditions

Ache
Fever
Headache
Herpes simplex
Infection
Pain
Sore throat

Abstracts

References

Barbal, A., Rettura, G. & E. Seifter. Wound Healing and Thymotropic Effects of Arginine: A Pituitary Mechanism of Action. Am J Of Clin Nutrition, 37. 1983.

Bland, Jeffrey. Nutraerobics. San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1983.

Bland, Jeffrey. Medical Applications of Clinical Nutrition. New Canaan, Conn.: Keats, 1983.

Cathcart, R.F. Vitamin C in the Treatment of Aids. Med Hypoth, 14. 1984.

Chicago Dietetic Association and the South Suburban Dietetic Association of Cook and Will Counties. 1981. Manual of Clinical Dietetics. W.B. Saunders Co., Philadephia.

Heinerman, John. 1982. Herbal Dynamics. Root of Life, Inc.: Publ.

Hodges, R.E. & R.E. Bleiler. Factors Affecting Human Antibody Responses, III. Pantothenic Acid Deficient Men. Am J Of Clin Nutri, 11. 1962.

Hunt, S. M., J. L. Groff & J. M. Holbrook. 1980. Nutrition - Principles and Clinical Practice John Wileyand Sons, N.Y. 506 pp.

Kirschmann, J.D. 1990. Nutrition Almanac: Nutrition Search. McGrew-Hill: New York.

Kunz, J.R.M. 1982. The American Medical Association Family Medical Guide. Random House Pub, New York. 832 pp.

Robbins, S.L. & R.S. Cotran. 1979. Pathologic Basis of Disease. 2nd ed. Saunders Pub Co., Philadelphia. 1598 pp.

Sciarra JJ: Sexually transmitted diseases: global importance. Int J Gynaecol Obstet, 1997 Jul, 58:1, 107-19.

Subak-Sharpe, G.J. 1984. The Physician's Manual For Patients. Times Books Pub, New York. 607 pp.

Thomas, W.R. & P.G. Holt. Vitamin C and Immunity. Clinical & Experimental Immunology, 32, 1978.