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Definition

Sexually transmitted diseases are those that are transmitted during sexual intercourse or other intimate contact with the sex organs.

A contagious inflammation of the genital mucous membrane transmitted chiefly by sexual intercourse and due to Neisseria gonorrhoeae; may involve the lower or upper genital tract, especially the uterine tubes, or spread to the peritoneum and other structures by the bloodstream.
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Symptoms

In females, gonorrhea is often asymptomatic. When there are symptoms, they include frequent and painful urination, vaginal discharge, abnormal menstrual bleeding, acute inflammation in the pelvic area, and rectal itching. Untreated, may cause infection of the fallopian tubes (Salpingitis) which may result in sterility.

Males usually do experience symptoms of gonorrhea. These include a yellow discharge of pus and mucus from the penis and slow, difficult, and painful urination. Untreated, may cause strictures of the urethra and prostatitis. The symptoms usually appear 7-21 days after sexual contact.
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Treatment

Penicillin or another antibiotic is the usual treatment. Be sure to add some acidophilus to the diet when taking antibiotics. If untreated, the gonorrhea organism (Gonococcus) can enter the rest of the body through the bloodstream and go into the throat, eyes, rectum, vagina, bones, joints, tendons, and other tissues. At this stage of the disease, it is difficult to detect and is often misdiagnosed as arthritis. A new strain of gonorrhea, first identified in 1985, has spread rapidly. This strain is resistant to the drug tetracycline and some forms of penicillin, but it can be cured.
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Nutrients

Acidophilus, 3 capsules or 1 tbsp. liquid 3 times a day, is important when taking antibiotics. Garlic capsules, 2 capsules 3 times daily, is a natural antibiotic and immune system stimulant. Should be accompanied by Doctor's advice. Vitamin C, 3,000 - 10,000 mg. daily (divide into 4 doses per day), helps immune function and is an antiviral agent. Zinc, 100 mg. daily, helps healing and the immune function. Kelp, 6 tablets per day, supplies balanced vitamins and minerals. Vitamin B complex, 50 mg. daily, is necessary in all cellular enzyme system function. Germanium, 100 mg daily, speeds healing and reduces pain or discomfort. Multivitamin and mineral complex, as directed on the label, promotes immune function. Vitamin K, 100 mcg. daily in tablet form, is necessary for blood clotting. Alfalfa is a good source.
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Herbs

• Echinacea
• Golden seal
• Pau d'arco
• Suma
Any of the above may alleviate symptoms. Alternate teas and consume three cups daily or take in capsule or extract form.
• Alder
• Aloes
• Balsam fir
• Bearberry
• Beechdrop
• Bird's nest
• Bistort root
• Bittersweet
• Blazing-star, rough
• Bull nettle
• Burdock, great
• Castor bean
• Celandine
• Cheese plant, German
• Cleavers
• Cohosh, blue
• Compass-plant
• Cubeb berries
• Dock, yellow
• Echinacea
• Eryngo
• Eucalyptus
• Fern, sweet
• Fireweed
• Gale, sweet
• Gentian root
• Goldenseal
• Gotu kola
• Gumweed (rosinweed)
• Hibiscus flowers
• Hops
• Horseradish (Hren)
• Horsetail, field
• Indian hemp, black
• Jasmine, yellow
• Juniper berries
• Lily, wild pond
• Mansa
• Maple, striped
• Marshmallow root
• Mormon tea
• Myrrh gum
• Ninebark
• Quack grass
• Quinine, wild
• Ragwort
• Rattlesnake-master
• Red root
• Parsley
• Pipsissewa
• Poke root
• Sandalwood
• Sarsaparilla
• Skullcap
• Strawberry, common or Virginia
• Sumac
• Sweet gum
• Thuja
• Water pepper
• Willow, black, American
• Yellow dock

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Recommendations

This disease is highly contagious. The Journal of the American Medical Association suggests that you protect yourself with condoms. Condoms should be used, but they are no guarantee of protection against venereal diseases! Check with your doctor!
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Bibliography

Planetary Herbology, by Michael Tierra, C.A., N.D., O.M.D., Lotus Press, PO Box 325, Twin Lakes. WI 53181., Copyright 1988, published 1992

Back to Eden, by Jethro Kloss; Back to Eden Publishing Co., Loma Linda, CA 92354, Original copyright 1939, revised edition 1994

Prescription for Nutritional Healing, by James F. Balch, M.D. and Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C., Avery Publishing Group, Inc., Garden City Park, NY

Eastern/Central Medicinal Plants, by Steven Foster and James A. Duke., Houghton Mifflin Company, 215 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10000

The Old Herb Doctor, by Joseph E. Meyer, Meyerbooks, publisher, PO Box 427, Glenwood, Illinois 60425, copyright 1984, sixth printing 1994.

Indian Herbalogy of North America, by Alma R. Hutchens, Shambala Publications, Inc., Horticultural Hall, 300 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, 1973

The Yoga of Herbs, by Dr. David Frawley & Dr. Vasant Lad, Lotus Press, Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, Second edition, 1988.

The Rodale Herb Book, edited by William H. Hylton, Rodale Press, Inc. Emmaus, PA, 18049., 1974

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