Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
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Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), also known as sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), are infections transmitted through sexual activity involving the mouth, anus, vagina, or penis. Common symptoms include burning, itching, or discharge in the genital area, although many STIs can be asymptomatic, showing no symptoms at all. These infections can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites and are spread through contact with blood, semen, or vaginal and other bodily fluids.
STIs are highly contagious and can be passed between partners without either knowing, due to the often-asymptomatic nature of these infections. This makes regular screening crucial for those who are sexually active, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While some STIs, like HIV, are incurable and can be life-threatening without proper treatment, others are treatable with medication.
Apart from sexual contact, STIs can also be transmitted in other ways, such as from mother to child during pregnancy or childbirth, through blood transfusions, or by sharing needles. It’s important to recognize that an individual can contract an STI from another who appears to be healthy and unaware of their infection status.
Symptoms
Symptoms of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can vary based on the specific disease and may not always be present. If symptoms do occur, they can appear in the genital area and include:
- Bumps, sores, or warts on or near the genitals, mouth, or anus.
- Severe itching or swelling near the genitals.
- Unusual discharge from the penis or vagina, which may have a bad odor or differ in color or quantity.
- Bleeding from the vagina that isn’t related to menstrual periods.
- Pain during sexual intercourse or urination.
- Frequent urges to urinate.
Additionally, STIs can cause systemic symptoms such as:
- Skin rashes.
- Unexpected weight loss.
- Diarrhea.
- Night sweats.
- General aches and pains.
- Fever and chills.
- Jaundice, which is the yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes.
If you are sexually active and suspect you might have been exposed to a sexually transmitted infection (STI) or if you have symptoms of an STI, it is crucial to see a healthcare professional immediately. Additionally, consider making an appointment with a healthcare provider when you’re thinking about becoming sexually active, by age 21 at the latest, or before you begin having sex with a new partner. This proactive approach helps ensure your health and safety as well as that of your partners.
Causes
Sexually transmitted diseases can stem from various bacteria, viruses, or parasites that invade the body. They are typically contracted through sexual activities such as vaginal, oral, and anal sex, as well as other intimate acts, by coming into contact with bodily fluids like blood, urine, semen, saliva, and mucous-lined areas.
The following are potential causes of STDs:
- Bacteria: Among the STDs brought on by bacteria include gonorrhea, syphilis, and chlamydia.
- Parasites: An STD called trichomoniasis is brought on by a parasite.
- Viruses: The herpes simplex virus, the human papillomavirus (HPV), and the HIV virus—which causes AIDS—are examples of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) that are caused by virus.
Risk factors
Sexually transmitted diseases are potential results of actively engaging in sexual activity. Those who share their private materials like needles that contain their blood can also result in a sexually transmitted disease.
The following are some factors that could make you more likely to get an STD:
- Age: Compared to older people, those between the ages of 15 and 24 report higher rates of STIs.
- Forceful sexual activity: Consult your healthcare provider as soon as you can to receive treatment, screening, and emotional support.
- Hereditary: Certain STDs can be transferred from mother to child during pregnancy or childbirth. Gonorrhea, chlamydia, HIV, and syphilis are a few examples. STDs can result in deaths or major complications for newborns. Every expectant mother should get tested for STIs and treated as necessary.
- History: The spread of another STI is considerably increased by the presence of an initial STI.
- Improper usage of alcohol or recreational drug use: Misuse of substances may hinder judgment and increase your likelihood to engage in unsafe activities.
- Injectable: When using a shared needle for drug injection, numerous serious medical conditions can spread. Hepatitis B, C, and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are a few examples.
- Multiple sexual partners: Your risk increases if you engage in multiple sex partners. Perhaps oral sex is less dangerous. However, usage of a dental dam or condom (latex or polyurethane) does not prevent the spread of STDs.
- Unprotected sex: The risk of acquiring an STD is significantly increased by vaginal or anal intercourse with an infected partner who isn’t wearing a condom (latex or polyurethane). Natural membrane condoms are not advised as they do not effectively prevent some sexually transmitted infections. Another way to increase risk is to not use condoms consistently or correctly.
Diagnosis
Testing for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) is an essential part of maintaining sexual health. The overview of the standard procedure for STD testing is as follows:
- Consultation with a healthcare provider: The first step involves discussing any signs and symptoms with a healthcare provider. Based on this discussion, they may recommend one or more specific tests to determine the presence of an STD.
- Physical examination: The provider may perform a physical exam, including a pelvic exam, to look for signs of infection like rashes, warts, or discharge.
- Laboratory testing: Lab tests help diagnose STDs, even when symptoms are not present. These tests include:
- Blood tests: Used to diagnose diseases like HIV and syphilis.
- Urine samples: Can detect several other STDs.
- Fluid samples: Samples from genital sores are analyzed to identify specific infections.
- Screening tests: Screening refers to testing for an STD in an asymptomatic individual. This is not typically a standard procedure but may be recommended based on an individual’s risk factors, such as new sexual partners or a history of STDs.
The guidelines for who should get tested and when include:
- General population (ages 15-65): Screen for HIV at least once.
- Pregnant women: Screen for syphilis, hepatitis B, chlamydia, and HIV early in pregnancy, with additional tests for high-risk individuals.
- Women aged 21 and older: Regular Pap tests are recommended to check for cervical abnormalities that could be caused by HPV.
- Sexually active women under 25: Advised to test for chlamydia and gonorrhea.
- Men who have sex with men: Should undergo regular screenings for STDs including gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, and HIV.
- Individuals with HIV: Recommended to get tested for additional STDs like gonorrhea, chlamydia, herpes, and syphilis soon after diagnosis.
Additionally, it’s important for new partners to consider testing before engaging in sexual activities and to be aware that a recent infection might not immediately show up on tests.
Treatment
Treatment will depend on the causes, there are multiple methods for treating STDs. Treatment for bacterially-induced sexually transmitted diseases is typically less complicated. Viral STI infections are not always curable but they can sometimes be controlled and treated.
Pregnant women who receive treatment as soon as possible can either eliminate or significantly reduce the chance that your unborn child will contract the STD.
Treatment for STDs typically includes one of the following, based on the type of infection:
- Antibiotics: Several sexually transmitted diseases are caused by bacteria or parasites, including gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis, can be treated with antibiotics, frequently in a single dose.
Once you begin treatment with antibiotics, you must take the medication as prescribed. Inform your healthcare provider if you don’t think you’ll be able to take the medication as prescribed. There might be a simpler, shorter treatment plan available.
It’s also important that you avoid having intercourse for seven days after finishing your antibiotic course and recovering from any sores.
Because there is a substantial risk of reinfection, healthcare providers advise retesting individuals with chlamydia every three months following treatment. - Antiviral drugs: Your healthcare provider may prescribe an antiviral medication if you have HIV or herpes, which prevents the virus from spreading.
If you combine a prescription antiviral medication with what is known as daily suppressive therapy, you should experience a reduction in herpes recurrences. However, you can still infect your partner with herpes.
Antiviral medications have the long-term ability to suppress HIV infection. Even if there is less chance of infection, you can still share the virus and carry it.
HIV treatment is more effective the earlier you begin. It is possible to reduce the viral load in the blood to the point where it is undetectable if you take your medications as prescribed. You won’t infect your sexual partners with the virus at that point.
If you have ever had an STD, find out from your healthcare provider how long it is until you need another test after treatment. Retesting will confirm whether the treatment was effective and prevent you from contracting the infection again. - Informing your partner: If your STD test results come back positive, it’s essential to inform your sexual partners. Notify your current partners as well as anyone you’ve been intimate with in the past three months to a year that you are infected. They should undergo testing to ensure their health and prevent further transmission of the virus. While notifying partners can be emotionally challenging, it’s crucial for their well-being and to halt the spread of the infection.
