SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are also called sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs. STIs are usually spread by having vaginal, oral, or anal sex.
What is a sexually transmitted infection (STI)?
An STI is an infection passed from one person to another person through sexual contact. An infection is when a bacteria, virus, or parasite enters and grows in or on your body. STIs are also called sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs.
Some STIs can be cured and some STIs cannot be cured. For those STIs that cannot be cured, there are medicines to manage the symptoms.
How do STIs affect women?
Women often have more serious health problems from STIs than men:
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Chlamydia and gonorrhea, left untreated, raise the risk of chronic pelvic pain and life-threatening ectopic pregnancy. Chlamydia and gonorrhea also can cause infertility.
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Untreated syphilis in pregnant women results in infant death up to 40% of the time.
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Women have a higher risk than men of getting an STI during unprotected vaginal sex. Unprotected anal sex puts women at even more risk for getting an STI than unprotected vaginal sex.
How do you get STIs?
STIs are spread in the following ways:
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Having unprotected (without a condom) vaginal, oral, or anal sex with someone who has an STI. It can be difficult to tell if someone has an STI. STIs can be spread even if there are no signs or symptoms.
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During genital touching. It is possible to get some STIs, such as syphilis and herpes, without having sex.
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Through sexual contact between women who have sex only with other women, men who have sex only with other men; or women who have sex with men.
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From a pregnant or breastfeeding woman to her baby.
Can STIs cause health problems?
Yes. Each STI causes different health problems. Certain types of untreated STIs can cause or lead to:
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Problems getting pregnant or during pregnancy, health problems for an unborn baby, or permanent infertility.
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Infection in other parts of the body.
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Organ damage.
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Certain types of cancer, such as cervical or prostate cancer.
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Death.
Having certain types of STIs makes it easier for you to get HIV (another STI) if you come into contact with it.
How do I get tested for STIs?
Ask your doctor or nurse about getting tested for STIs. Your doctor or nurse can tell you what test(s) you may need and how they are done. Testing for STIs is also called STI screening.
STI testing can include:
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Pelvic and physical exam. Your doctor looks for signs of infection, such as warts, rashes, or discharge.
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Blood test. A nurse will draw some blood to test for an STI.
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Urine test. You urinate (pee) into a cup. The urine is then tested for an STI.
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Fluid or tissue sample. Your doctor or nurse uses a cotton swab to take fluid or discharge from an infected place on your body. The fluid is looked at under a microscope or sent to a lab for testing.
Find a clinic near you where you can get tested for STIs.
Do I need to get tested for STIs?
If you are sexually active, talk to your doctor or nurse about STI testing. Which tests you will need and how often you need to get them will depend on you and your partner's sexual history.
You may feel embarrassed or that your sex life is too personal to share with your doctor or nurse. But being open and honest is the only way your doctor can help take care of you. Find out what screening tests you may need. Then talk to your doctor or nurse about what tests make sense for you.
How are STIs treated?
For some STIs, treatment may involve taking medicine by mouth or getting a shot. For other STIs that can't be cured, like herpes or HIV and AIDS, medicines can help reduce the symptoms.
If I have an STI, does my partner have it too?
Maybe. If the tests show that you have an STI, your doctor might want your partner to come in for testing. Or the doctor may give you a medicine to take home for your partner.
The STI may have spread to you or your partner from a former sex partner. This is why it is important to get tested after each new sex partner.
How can I prevent an STI?
The best way to prevent an STI is to not have vaginal, oral, or anal sex.
If you do have sex, lower your risk of getting an STI with the following steps:
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Get vaccinated. There are vaccines to protect against HPV and hepatitis B.
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Use condoms. Condoms are the best way to prevent STIs when you have sex. Because a man does not need to ejaculate (cum) to give or get some STIs, make sure to put the condom on before the penis touches the vagina, mouth, or anus. Other methods of birth control, like birth control pills, shots, implants, or diaphragms, will not protect you from STIs.
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Get tested. Be sure you and your partner are tested for STIs. Talk to each other about the test results before you have sex.
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Be monogamous. Having sex with just one partner can lower your risk for STIs. After being tested for STIs, be faithful to each other. That means that you have sex only with each other and no one else.
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Limit your number of sex partners. Your risk of getting STIs goes up with the number of partners you have.
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Do not douche. Douching removes some of the normal bacteria in the vagina that protects you from infection. This may increase your risk of getting STIs.
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Do not abuse alcohol or drugs. Drinking too much alcohol or using drugs increases risky behavior and may put you at risk of sexual assault and possible exposure to STIs.
The steps work best when used together. No single step can protect you from every single type of STI.
The more common forms of sexually transmitted diseases are shown below:
VIRUSES
Warts, human papilloma virus (hpv)
The wart virus causes an overgrowth of skin, forming lumps. There are many types that affect different parts of the body. They are transmitted by direct contact.
They are found on the vulva, penis and around the anus, they may be raised and cauliflower shaped, or flat and smooth. Warts can be single growths or in groups which vary in size.
Warts are best treated with the application of a caustic paint named Podophyllin. Freezing, laser treatment and cutting them off are other treatment methods.
Recurrence rates are high as the virus remains in the body. Safe sex is the best method of prevention.
Herpes
Herpes is caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV). There are two types of HSV virus the most common appears around the mouth and is known as a cold sore. The other occurs around the genital areas or anus. Both types of this virus can cause infection anywhere in the body. Transmission is by direct contact. At the site of infection there is often an itching or tingling sensation which is followed by an outbreak of blisters which then form scabs. It is contagious in all stages.
HSV is treated using Acyclovir as an ointment. Safe sex is the best method of prevention and it is known that a healthy diet, exercise and rest as well as reducing stress will help prevent further outbreaks.
HIV and HIV/AIDS
The HIV virus causes damage to the body's immune system, which can progress to Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. (AIDS) There are two main types of the virus, HIV1 and HIV2.
Transmission is by blood, semen or vaginal fluids during intercourse as well as shared needles.
There is no vaccine or cure for HIV/AIDS, though treatment is available to manage the various infections and cancers associated with it. Safe sex and single use syringes are the best forms of prevention.
Hepatitis, is a virus that can affect the liver, it is spread by sexual contact, exposure to blood and from mother to child as well as shared needles. There are three types A B and C. Hepatitis B is the toughest strain. Some people infected with Hepatitis B may carry the virus all their lives. One quarter of these "carriers" will die from liver disease and cancer. Hepatitis B can be prevented by vaccination and by practicing "safe sex" as well as single use syringes.
PARASITES
Pubic lice (crabs)
Pubic Lice are parasites that live on the skin and suck blood up to six times a day from their human host.. They inject saliva under the skin, which causes an itching irritation and this is often the first sign of infection.
Transmitted through close bodily contact and look like a small freckle at the base of the pubic hair.
Treatment: A 1% Permethrin cream or Gamma benzene hexachloride may be used to treat pubic lice.
Scabies
Scabies are a parasite similar to pubic lice, the female burrows into the skin to lay eggs. The young nymphs migrate back to the surface of the skin to mate and the process is repeated. The process of burrowing irritates the skin, this causes scratching to relieve the symptom. The scratching helps the mite to migrate further over the body as the eggs and adults can be transferred under the fingernails.
Transmission is by close physical contact.
Treatment: A 5% Permethrin cream applied to the whole body is usually effective. This is available from chemists.
BACTERIAL INFECTIONS
Chlamydia
Chlamydia trachomatis is a germ that can infect the urethra and rectum and is transmitted by unprotected sex. The symptoms are usually a discharge, stinging when urinating and a tickling sensation along the penile shaft. Chlamydia can be diagnosed by your GP and is treated using antibiotics.
Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is a bacterium that causes infection that shows as a discharge from the penile shaft accompanied by pain when urinating.
Syphilis
Syphilis like gonorrhea is caused by a bacterium and is transmitted during unprotected sex. The first stage shows as a small sore or chancre, which is usually not painful and can be found anywhere on the body. Six weeks later the second stage appears as a rash accompanied by swinging temperature and weight loss. The third stage attacks the brain, heart and nervous system which leads to insanity, paralysis and death. Transmission is through unprotected sex and is treated using antibiotics.