BY GEORGE NAVA TRUE II
IF I HAVE gonorrhea, can I spread the disease to my partner even if I don’t have sex with her? What if I just kiss her? – Name and address withheld on request.
You won’t spread or get gonorrhea from casual contact, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This means it’s OK to share food or drinks, kiss, hold hands, cough, sneeze, or sit on toilet seats.
The only way to get this common STD is by being infected with the Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacterium that is spread mainly through vaginal, anal, or oral sex. The infection is found in semen, pre-cum, and vaginal fluids. It spreads to the penis, vagina, cervix, anus, urethra, throat, and, in rare cases, the eyes.
If you have infected fluids in your hand, you can get gonorrhea by touching your eyes. The worst part is that most infected people have no symptoms and don’t even know that they have the disease.
The best way to prevent gonorrhea is to avoid multiple sex partners and unprotected sex. Yearly gonorrhea screening is recommended if you and your partner are sexually active.
I’m worried that I have Parkinson’s disease because my hands keep shaking. I haven’t seen a doctor yet. I can’t write well or use a spoon because of this. – Name and address withheld on request.
Parkinson’s disease is a possibility, but it’s not the only reason for shaky hands. Besides, the symptoms of this nervous system disorder occur gradually and can start with one hand. The affected hand may tremble even if you’re not using it.
If you’re an alcoholic, your hands can shake, especially if you’re trying to quit. This starts about 10 hours after your last drink and can last a few weeks.
Certain medicines can also make your hands shake. This is often a side effect of drugs that are prescribed for mood swings, seizures, migraine, and asthma. If you take antihistamines to control allergy, you can have this problem, too.
While smoking is believed to ease stress, this bad habit can cause anxiety. The heart beats faster because of nicotine, the addictive drug in tobacco, and makes your hands shake.
In others, the problem is lack of Vitamin B12 found in meat, eggs, and milk. This vitamin keeps your nervous system healthy. Lower levels in the body can cause shaky hands as well as numbness and a tingling sensation in the arms and legs.
One of the most common reasons why your hands shake is an essential tremor. This is a nerve disorder that bothers you when your hands are doing something and goes away when you’re not using them. Mild symptoms aren’t treated, but medicine or surgery is recommended if you have problems with daily tasks.
Another reason is low blood sugar. This can be caused by lack of food, diabetes, certain medicines, or too much alcohol. Other possible causes are an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), multiple sclerosis, liver disorders, or brain disorders. If the problem persists, see a doctor to know what’s causing it.
***
National Press Club and Philippine Dental Association awardee George N. True II has written two bestsellers based on his popular column that has been running for almost 40 years. For questions about health, email georgenavatrue@yahoo.com./PN
