Oh! Colombo

Many people worldwide do charity work. Some voluntarily with great dedication, whilst others are paid handsomely by the organizations that sponsor the community’s work.

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are not spoken of widely in this country and there are only a very few who would like to be involved in addressing this issue. However, there is a group of volunteers who dedicate their precious time attempting to control sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) by educating and treating the men and women who are either vulnerable to contracting STDs or who already have STDs. What is not understood in this country is that a large percentage of this nation are susceptible to contracting STDs owing to their lack of knowledge on its transmission.

Harindra, who volunteers in one of these organization that work especially with the gay/bisexual/transgender community, says one of the biggest problems they find is how frightened the person is when it is known that he/she has contracted an STD. The initial trauma is the social predicament and the guilt that overcomes the infected whatever their social background be. This is followed by the home medication/treatment which results in the disease being spread further and becoming out of control. This is especially common with those who have contracted HIV, a virus that can be controlled if diagnosed at an early or middle stage, and becomes nonreversible once it becomes full blown AIDS.

If one is suspicious of having contracted a sexually transmitted disease, the first step is to consult a doctor, a service that is provided totally free in many larger hospitals, such as the national hospital in Colombo, the teaching hospitals in Karapitiya, Negombo, Anuradhapura and most of the lesser  government hospitals throughout the country. The medical staff in these hospitals are reputed for their discretion and considerate handling of such patients. In addition, there are many organizations in the country, such as Heart to Heart Lanka who work with the Sri Lanka Family Planning Association, that could be contacted for treatment and counselling.

Counseling also is very important, says Harindra, once a person is confirmed with an STD. The infected person builds up an anxiety and fear that has to be dealt with. This is just another disease but with a lot of social stigma attached to it, hence all the secrecy which ends up in lots of suffering and trauma, says Harindra.

Sexually transmitted diseases (STD) also referred to as sexually transmitted infections (STI), and venereal diseases (VD), are infections that are commonly spread by sex. Most STDs initially do not cause symptoms and the result is a greater risk of passing on the disease to others. STDs can be contracted by anybody and could be the result of a one night stand, a roll in the hay on a drunkard night or the result of many other pleasurable encounters. It is common knowledge that celebrities to celebrants worldwide have contracted STDs. Therefore, it is best to be aware that as much pleasure one has in that moment of ecstasy all of us are vulnerable to these diseases.

One has to admire the community workers, especially the volunteers, who dedicate their time helping these people.