Understanding STIs—also variously referred to as STDs—is important to the endorsement of sexual health and safety. Scarily, according to estimates by the WHO, more than a million new STIs are acquired daily. Therefore, here is a detailed guide for your increased knowledge about STIs and helping iron out misconceptions, coupled with some really crucial facts and a free reference guide on the most common STIs.
Note: Medical practitioners nowadays use the term "STI" more often than the term "STD." The rationale behind this is that "STI" can encompass a broader scope and is more technologically correct since not all infections progress to diseases.
08 October 2024
7 min read
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1. Who is at Risk from Getting STIs?
In a world where STIs are the common talk of the town, it is also very important to know that no one is absolutely safe from them. Male or female, young or old, rich or poor, gay or straight, religious or non-religious—whatever, STIs distinguish between none of them. Whosoever exists on this planet is quite vulnerable to these infections.
The American Sexual Health Association reports that it is astounding to think that half of all sexually active people will have contracted an STI by age 25. Such a staggering statistic deserves nothing but real awareness and prevention as the panacea for the STI crisis. Regular check-ups, safe sex practices, and frank talk over sexual health should be a part of every sexually active person's lifestyle.
2. The Transmission of STIs: It is Not About Vaginal Sex
The fact widely espoused and believed is that the mode of transmission for STIs is not just vaginal sex. Other sexual contacts involve oral and anal sex, which equally place one at risk for STI transmission. Such infections can be transmitted by any direct contact with an infected area, including those without penetration.
For instance, herpes and human papillomavirus can be spread by direct skin-to-skin contact even when there are no sores or warts present on the infected person. In a similar vein, other STIs, such as Hepatitis B and C, are able to be spread through infected blood coming into direct contact with another individual; examples of such direct contact include shared needles for intravenous drug use.
One myth that has just clung on, dying to be outgrown, is that sexually transmitted infections can be acquired via toilet seats. A number of health experts have come forward denying this myth by stating that the possibility of acquiring an STI this way is close to zero.
3. STI Prevention: The Limitations of Condoms
Abstinence from any kind of sexual activity still tops the list for preventing STIs. But since this may be impractical for anyone, the next best thing to do would be to wear condoms. Condoms can amazingly reduce the risk in most STIs that are transmitted via bodily fluid, such as HIV, chlamydia, and gonorrhea. They protect against unwanted pregnancies.
However, condoms are not foolproof. STIs like HPV and herpes are transmitted by direct contact with infected skin, which provides a wide opening for the infection to occur or infect somebody else even when using a condom. Regular testing for STIs and vaccination where available is very important as part of comprehensive prevention of STIs.
4. STIs and Symptoms: Silent but Deadly
One of the most insidious things that can happen with STIs is that they often do not show any symptoms. Many people infected with STIs are asymptomatic. That is, they do not exhibit any noticeable symptoms, and for that reason, they may pass their infection onto another person unknowingly. In instances where symptoms do appear, their manifestation can be so different in varying individuals that trying to identify any STI based on symptoms is quite hard.
When a sexually transmitted infection is present, symptoms might include bumps, sores, or warts, itchiness, and swelling or redness around the genital area. One or more of these symptoms may not emerge until days, weeks, or even months following exposure, which can only make it even more difficult to associate them with the STI. Additionally, some symptoms may even resolve over time, only to return at a later stage.
Even when symptoms are absent, such a person having an STI is always capable of transmitting the infection. Hence, regular testing and frank history about sexual relations with one's partner are very key in the prevention of sexually transmitted infections.
5. Asymptomatic Transmission: The Hidden Menace
The most difficult part of managing the spread of STIs is the potential to transmit an STI even when symptoms or signs are not present. Asymptomatic transmission refers to the potential for a person to transmit an infection without being aware of having the infection.
This is why routine testing is so important for those who are sexually active, especially with multiple or new partners. Under the ACA, most health insurance plans are required to provide coverage of STI testing and counseling services as a form of preventive care. Anyone can receive STI testing from public health clinics and STI testing centers recommended by the CDC, without regard to insurance status.
6. STIs: Know Your Status—Testing Is the Key
The only sure way to know whether you have an STI is to get tested. Since many STIs don't show symptoms, you can only find out if you get tested. Most people believe that STI testing is a part of their regular check-up or gynecological examination, but this is mostly not true. You have to request testing for STIs.
Testing methods can also vary; some STIs have to be physically tested, others through a blood sample, while yet others require a urine sample. Notably, even though all the STIs have tests, men do not currently have one for HPV, thus have to rely on prevention and observations of symptoms.
Most of the STIs are curable, while others, though not curable, are manageable. For instance, examples of curable STIs include gonorrhea, syphilis, and chlamydia. Proper treatment using antibiotics can cure them. However, other types of STIs like genital herpes, HIV/AIDS, and HPV remain incurable today but can also be handled with medication as it reduces the symptoms, prevents its spread, and one can have a maximum quality of life.
This underlines how early diagnosis and treatment form the fulcrum of effective management of STIs. In fact, for those STIs that have no cure, early treatment can either prevent serious complications from setting in or delay the onset of such complications considerably, while substantially reducing the risk of transmission to others.
8. The Dangers of Neglected STIs
If left untreated, STIs can lead to a variety of serious health consequences, including chronic pain, infertility, some cancers, and even death. Complications among women, in particular, include that some STIs may cause pelvic inflammatory disease, which can cause chronic pelvic pain and difficulty getting pregnant.
Pregnant women with untreated STIs are also at risk for other complications, such as ectopic pregnancy, preterm birth, and even stillbirth. This is aside from the fact that they can also pass the infection to their baby during pregnancy or childbirth, which can lead to severe health problems in the newborn.
9. Vaccination Against STI: The Proactive Preventive Measure
Vaccines have been developed for some STIs. Presently, they add one more layer of protection against some of these infections. The vaccines against hepatitis B and human papillomavirus infections are safe, effective, and recommended for people in specific age brackets.
The hepatitis B vaccine is administered on three different occasions within six months and should be given to all infants at birth and adults if at risk. The HPV vaccine is recommended for preteens aged 11 to 12 but can be given as early as age 9 and as late as 26. Vaccination sometimes is useful for people older than the usual age for vaccination, but that's an issue to discuss with your health provider.
10. Repeated Infections with STIs: Once Is Not Always Enough
Another fact to recall is that the cure of an STI does not build immunity against subsequent infection. In many situations, STIs such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis can be re-contracted even after proper treatment.
Thirdly, some STIs put people at greater risk of getting other infections. For instance, if one has an STI, especially such that can cause sores like herpes or syphilis, there is always a greater risk of being infected with HIV. This underlines the importance of prevention, testing regularly, and treatment in maintaining your sexual health.
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