Thursday, Apr 4, 2019
Dr. Jonathan Karp discusses reproductive health on his weekly radio show presented by Rider’s Health Studies Institute
by Adam Grybowski
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention calls sexually transmitted diseases a hidden epidemic in the United States.
The good news is that most sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs, are treatable and preventable. The bad news is that reported cases are surging. The CDC reports that since 2013, the prevalence of chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis has increased sharply. For example, the number of babies born with syphilis has more than doubled since 2013.
On March 17, 2019, Dr. Jonathan Karp discussed reproductive health, with a focus on STDs, on “Health 411,” the radio program he hosts. Presented by Rider’s Health Studies Institute, "Health 411" debuted last year on 107.7 The Bronc, Rider’s student-run radio station, as a resource of truthful health information for listeners.
Interview highlights
On STDs and stigma
Many STDs can be cured and some cause permanent damage but there is a stigma around STDs and this is why so many people don’t talk about it. Compliance rates for treatment are low. This is a problem because many STDs can be cured and if ignored can cause long-term health effects including birth defects, organ damage, sterility and pelvic inflammatory disease.
On bacterial STDs
Bacteria are living organisms. We are surrounded by them. There are more bacterial cells in our body than there are human cells. Most bacteria do not cause any kinds of problems for people. However, there are a few that do. Bacteria can damage human cells by getting inside the cell and wreaking havoc or secreting things that the human body reacts to. Bacteria are organisms that can get in our bodies and damage the way our healthy cells work. Some of the sexually transmitted diseases that are caused by bacteria are Chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis.
On viral STDs
Viruses change the way human cells work because they bind to the outside of human cells and essentially inject their contents inside the cells and sometimes cells become aberrant. STDs that are caused by viruses includes herpes, the human papillomavirus and HIV, which causes AIDS.
On the ability of the herpes virus to lie dormant
Unlike the human papillomavirus, there is no vaccine, there is no cure for the herpes virus. If you are infected, there are medications that allow you to treat the outbreak. The herpes virus family is a neurally invasive virus. When the virus gets in you, it targets neurons and then it goes into the neurons where it can lie dormant for long amounts of time and then there are periods where it may become more active.
"Health 411," hosted by Dr. Jonathan Karp of Rider's Department of Biology, Behavioral Neuroscience, and Health Sciences, airs every Sunday at 11 a.m. on 107.7 The Bronc. It is presented by Rider's Health Studies Institute. All episodes are also available as podcasts.