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University Daily Kansan
Thursday, October 9, 1975
13
KU's VD rate unchanged
By SARA HOLLAND
Staff Writer
Although national figures continue to rise, the number of cases of veneral disease among University of Kansas students has remained fairly stable, according to Martin Wollmann, director of Watkins Memorial Hospital.
During 1974, the health center treated 59
students and nine students for
spinalitis. Wolffman义学
He said he didn't know the number of persons who applied, but the rate had been greatly increased.
There were 10,792 cases of venereal
in Kansas between July 1974 and June 1975.
During the first 39 weeks of 1975 there were 762,867 reported cases of venereal disease in the United States. For the same time period in 1974, 683,785 cases were
"IF THE 1975 FIGURES were multiplied by three or five, a more accurate number of persons who have venereal disease might be reached," Fred Dreste, representative of the epilepsiology department of the state health department, said Tuesday.
Many cases of veneerual disease are never reported. he said.
Wollmann said that thousands of students were tested for venereal disease but only a few were diagnosed.
Although the venereal disease rate is lower in the university of Kansas, students shouldn't be any less concerned about the possibilities of having the disease, he said.
Kay Kent, director of the Douglas County health department said the department treated 215 persons for venereal disease between January and August 1975.
MICHAEL WELL, LAWRENCE physician, said that venereal disease was transported not only through sexual intercourse but also by oral contact.
According to the health department, syphilis is caused by a germ called a spirochete and gonorrhea was caused by a gonococcus germ.
Kent said that symptoms of syphilis included kinks and called chancres and cracks on the skin. The ground are the same.
*Syphilis* is fairly easy to detect because a simple blood test can be given as a test for *Syphilis*.
Wallmann said that gonorrhea was difficult to detect because it wasn't possible to detect by a blood test and a bacteria culture had to be taken. Symptoms of the disease are a burning sensation on the genitals and discharges, he said.
Dresie said that eight out 10 women didn't show symptoms for gonorrhea.
if gonorrhea is left untreated, the results may be scarring, gonorrheal arthritis or pain.
Wellmann said that treatment for
wound cases included penicillin shots or
oral medication.
"IF A PERSON IS allergic to penicillin then alternative antibiotics can be used," he said. "Alternative antibiotics are increasingly used because the germ that causes gonorrhea is becoming resistant to penicillin."
Well said, that once the disease was treated treatment was fairly easy and unaffraid.
Persons with venereal disease should be reminded that follow-up treatment is important, he said, and that a second blood after the initial treatment is a good idea.
Wellmann said the test for venereal disease in cats is a health check that can be费用的 for medicine.
Kent said that all information about treatment of veneered disease at the health department is available.
"IF SOMEONE UNDER 18 seeks treatment for venereal disease, no information is released to the parents," she said.
Treatment at Watkins also is considered confidential.
Wollman said, "If a person has venereal disease, it is reported to the State Health department, but by statutes the records are closed and kept confidential.
"There is no recrimination to the individual."
Dresie said that incidents of venereal disease were increased in Kansas because of increased mobility of the population and a freer attitude about sexual relations.
"1978 should show a drastic increase for cases of veneer disease," he said.
Dresie said the largest group affected by
venereal disease contained persons between the ages of 15 and 25.
"THERE HAS ALSO BEEN an outbreak of venereal disease in the gay community," he said. "There is a greater reluctance by gay persons to seek help for venereal disease because of the embarrassment attached."
Wollmann said there weren't many unreported cases of venereal disease at the University because students felt free to get back to the health center for an examination.
David Clinton, Lawrence physician, said that he didn't treat many cases of venereal disease.
"Although the statistics may indicate otherwise, I don't think that the rate of death is higher for men."
More people are reporting it though, he said.
Erik Wright, professor of psychology, said that in a class he taught called "Human Sexuality," the class discussed venereal disease and the symptoms of it.
a *p* a person has venereal disease then he should seek medical help," Wright said. "Persons with venereal disease shouldn't panic or feel guilty and ashamed.
"Venereal disease often fools up personal relationships because persons are afraid to face the problem and seek help or tell their partners. Persons with venereal disease should recognize it as an infection, seek help and then go ahead and live."
Counseling and treatment are available at Watkins Memorial Hospital and the Douglas County health department Monday through Friday.
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