VANESSA A
The public has been urged to take preventive measures to avoid the spread of gonorrhea and syphilis by health experts from Rukungiri District.
Speaking to our reporter, Dr. Alex Twekwase, Director of Bukiriro Clinic, highlighted gonorrhea and syphilis as diseases that mostly spread through unprotected sex with an infected person, saying they affect both men and women.
Dr. Alex, on the signs that a person has these diseases, said men experience a lot of pain during urination, and women produce a bad smell from their private parts. Syphilis, especially in young children, causes delayed growth.
He further explained how they cause premature births in women and advised people to seek medical attention in case of any signs and for pregnant mothers to always go for antenatal checkups to treat the diseases if detected.
Alban Natukunda, Rukungiri District Health Educator, also highlighted the major causes of gonorrhea and syphilis as unprotected sex with an infected person and poor hygiene, saying a person can be exposed by using urinals or flush toilets previously used by an infected person without proper cleaning.
Alban highlighted the possible effects of these diseases, saying they cause infertility in women if not treated in time and prostate cancer in men. He added that this can be prevented by avoiding unprotected sex with multiple partners and visiting the doctor for treatment in case of any symptoms.
