What is a sexually transmitted infection?
Those infectious diseases which spread from person to person during intimate sexual contact are "sexually transmitted infections" (STIs).
Can you tell me more about these infections?
STIs affect men and women of all backgrounds and economic levels. They are most prevalent among teenagers and young adults. Nearly two-thirds of all STIs occur in people younger than 25 years of age.
The incidence of STIs is rising, in part because in the last few decades, young people have become sexually active earlier yet are marrying later.
Most of the time, STIs cause no symptoms, particularly in women. When and if symptoms develop, they may be confused with those of other diseases not transmitted through sexual contact. Even when an STI causes no symptoms, however, a person who is infected may be able to pass the disease on to a sex partner. That is why many doctors recommend periodic testing or screening for people who have more than one sex partner.
Health problems caused by STIs tend to be more severe and more frequent for women than for men, in part because the frequency of asymptomatic infection means that many women do not seek care until serious problems have developed.
Some STIs can spread into the uterus (womb) and fallopian tubes to cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which in turn is a major cause of both infertility and ectopic (tubal) pregnancy. The latter can be fatal.
STIs in women also may be associated with cervical cancer. One STI, human papillomavirus infection (HPV), causes genital warts and cervical and other genital cancers .
STIs can be passed from a mother to her baby before, during, or immediately after birth; some of these infections of the newborn can be cured easily, but others may cause a baby to be permanently disabled or even die.
When diagnosed and treated early, many STIs can be treated effectively. Some infections have become resistant to the drugs used to treat them and now require newer types of antibiotics. Experts believe that having STIs other than AIDS increases one's risk for becoming infected with the AIDS virus.
HIV infection and AIDS.
AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) is caused by a virus that destroys the body's ability to fight off infection. People who have AIDS are very susceptible to many life-threatening diseases, called opportunistic infections, and to certain forms of cancer. Transmission of the virus primarily occurs during sexual activity and by sharing needles used to inject intravenous drugs.
Chlamydial infection
This infection is now the most common of all bacterial STIs. In both men and women, chlamydial infection may cause an abnormal genital discharge and burning with urination. In women, untreated chlamydial infection may lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, one of the most common causes of ectopic pregnancy and infertility in women. Many people with chlamydial infection, however, have few or no symptoms of infection. Once diagnosed with chlamydial infection, a person can be treated with an antibiotic.
Genital herpes
Genital herpes infections are caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). The major symptoms of herpes infection are painful blisters or open sores in the genital area. These may be preceded by a tingling or burning sensation in the legs, buttocks, or genital region. The herpes sores usually disappear within two to three weeks, but the virus remains in the body for life and the lesions may recur from time to time. Severe or frequently recurrent genital herpes is treated with one of several antiviral drugs that are available by prescription. These drugs help control the symptoms but do not eliminate the herpes virus from the body. Suppressive antiviral therapy can be used to prevent occurrences and perhaps transmission. Women who acquire genital herpes during pregnancy can transmit the virus to their babies. Untreated HSV infection in newborns can result in mental retardation and death.
Genital warts
Genital warts are also caused by a virus related to the virus that causes common skin warts. Genital warts usually first appear as small, hard painless bumps in the vaginal area, on the penis, or around the anus. If untreated, they may grow and develop a fleshy, cauliflower-like appearance. Genital warts are treated with a topical drug (applied to the skin), by freezing, or if they recur, with injections of a type of interferon. If the warts are very large, they can be removed by surgery.
Gonorrhea
The most common symptoms of gonorrhea are a discharge from the vagina or penis and painful or difficult urination. The most common and serious complications occur in women and, as with chlamydial infection, these complications include PID, ectopic pregnancy, and infertility. Historically, penicillin has been used to treat gonorrhea, but in the last decade, four types of antibiotic resistance have emerged. New antibiotics or combinations of drugs must be used to treat these resistant strains.
Syphilis
The incidence of syphilis has increased and decreased dramatically in recent years. The first symptoms of syphilis may go undetected because they are very mild and disappear spontaneously. The initial symptom is a chancre; it is usually a painless open sore that usually appears on the penis or around or in the vagina. It can also occur near the mouth, anus, or on the hands. If untreated, syphilis may go on to more advanced stages, including a transient rash and, eventually, serious involvement of the heart and central nervous system. The full course of the disease can take years. Penicillin remains the most effective drug to treat people with syphilis.
Other diseases that may be sexually transmitted include trichomoniasis, bacterial vaginosis, cytomegalovirus infections, scabies, and pubic lice.
What can I do to prevent STIs?
The best way to prevent STIs is to avoid sexual contact with others. If you decide to be sexually active, there are things that you can do to reduce your risk of developing an STI.
Have a mutually agreed single sex relationship with an uninfected partner
Correctly and consistently use a male condom
Use clean needles if injecting intravenous drugs
Prevent and control other STIs to decrease susceptibility to HIV infection and to reduce your infectiousness if you are HIV-infected
Delay having sexual relations as long as possible. The younger people are when having sex for the first time, the more susceptible they become to developing an STI. The risk of acquiring an STI also increases with the number of partners over a lifetime.
What should I do if I am sexually active?
Have regular checkups for STIs even in the absence of symptoms, and especially if having sex with a new partner. These tests can be done during a routine visit to the doctor's office.
Learn the common symptoms of STIs. Seek medical help immediately if any suspicious symptoms develop, even if they are mild
Avoid having sex during menstruation. HIV-infected women are probably more infectious, and HIV-uninfected women are probably more susceptible to becoming infected during that time
Avoid anal intercourse, but if practised, use a male condom
Avoid douching because it removes some of the normal protective bacteria in the vagina and increases the risk of getting some STIs.
What should I do if I have a diagnosed STI?
Be treated to reduce the risk of transmitting an STI to an infant
Discuss with a doctor the possible risk of transmission in breast milk and whether commercial formula should be substituted
Notify all recent sex partners and urge them to get a checkup
Follow the doctor's orders and complete the full course of medication prescribed. A follow-up test to ensure that the infection has been cured is often an important step in treatment
Avoid all sexual activity while being treated for an STI.
Sometimes people are too embarrassed or frightened to ask for help or information. Most STIs are readily treated, and the earlier a person seeks treatment and warns sex partners about the disease, the less likely the disease will do irreparable physical damage, be spread to others or, in the case of a woman, be passed on to a newborn baby.
Contacts
Use the contacts below for help or to find out more information. Alternatively, if you need someone to talk to about how you're feeling, call Breathing Space on 0800 83 85 87 between 6pm and 2am. Remember your call is confidential and free.
LGBT Youth Scotland
John Cotton Centre, 10 Sunnyside, Edinburgh EH7 5RA
0131 622 2266
0845 113 0005 (Tues, 7.30-9.00pm)
Or text us on the LGBT Textline on 07905 918 515
www.lgbtyouth.org.uk
LGBT Health Scotland
11 Dixon Street, Glasgow, G1 4AL
0141 204 0746
Email: info@lgbthealthscotland.org.uk
www.lgbthealthscotland.org.uk
Confederation of Scottish Counselling Agencies
COSCA helps those with an interest in counselling or using counselling skill, however, it can also provide contact with the various counselling organisations throughout Scotland.
www.cosca.org.uk
Pink Therapy
www.pinktherapy.com
Content provided by Breathing Space.
Last updated: 23 January 2009, 18:21
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