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Sexually transmitted infections

Sexually transmitted infections

Introduction

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are infections transmitted mainly through sexual contact, including vaginal, oral and anal sex. More than 30 different types of bacteria, viruses and parasites are known to be sexually transmitted.

Some sexually transmitted infections (they are also called venereal diseases) can also be transmitted through skin-to-skin contact. Some are transmitted through the exchange of body fluids, like blood (for example, a needle). Some can be passed from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding,

For some STIs, girls are physiologically more vulnerable to infection than boys. Responsive anal sex increases the risk of infection (for both boys and girls). Social factors also affect the likelihood of transmission.

Certain parasites, such as pubic lice and scabies, can also be transmitted through sexual contact. STIs are part of a larger group of infections known as reproductive tract infections.

Eight (8) pathogens are linked to the highest spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Of these, 4 are currently curable: syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia and trichomoniasis. The other 4 are incurable viral infections: hepatitis B, herpes simplex virus (HSV), HIV, and human papilloma virus (HPV).

STIs can have serious consequences beyond the immediate impact of the infection itself:
STIs such as herpes, gonorrhea and syphilis can increase the risk of HIV infection.
Mother-to-child transmission of STIs can lead to stillbirth or death newborn, low birth weight and prematurity, sepsis, serious eye infections in newborns, and birth defects.
HPV infection causes cervical and other cancers.
Hepatitis B resulted in approximately 820,000 deaths worldwide in 2019, mostly from cirrhosis and liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma).
STIs such as gonorrhea and chlamydia are major causes of pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility in couples.

More info on STIs/HIV see YK PODCAST #4: What might be my risk for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCoFOxLGpH8&t=4s

Galina Lesco, Obstetrician gynaecologist, Head of YFHC NEOVITA, Founder and coordinator of the Health for Youth Association.

Dorina Lesco, Obstetrician gynaecologist, YFHC NEOVITA; resident doctor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, SUMPh "Nicolae Testemitanu"

Sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, how they can be detected?

STI detection is based on the analysis of risky sexual behaviors and the presence/absence of symptoms, STIs are confirmed by specific laboratory tests.

Laboratory tests for STIs are based on blood, urine or samples collected from injured/affected sites. The findings depend on the type of infection, gender, and particularities of risky sexual behavior.

Some infections, such as HIV, syphilis, viral hepatitis, can be detected quite easily through rapid tests. In some dangerous infections, especially in the asymptomatic form, such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea accurate tests are quite expensive and not available everywhere. For a number of STIs, rapid, simple tests are just under development.

All this complicates the timely detection and treatment of STIs. That's why, whenever there is unprotected sexual contact, especially with one or more casual partners, there is a risk of STI infection.

Thus, if a person is at risk of acquiring an STI should be tested if has one or more of the following:

Symptoms of an STI;
A sexual partner who has an STI or who has signs of an STI;
More than one sexual partner;
A new partner in the last three months;
A partner who has or may have other sexual partners; and
A partner who lives elsewhere or travels often.

Early testing is important. A person diagnosed with an STI can get treatment, help and his/her recent partners get tested as well. A couple should not resume sexual activity until both partners have been tested and completed any necessary treatment. Because some STIs don't show up in test results right away, a repeat test may be necessary.

Remember!!! Any sexual contact without a condom brings the risk of a sexually transmitted infection, including HIV (and of an unwanted pregnancy, of course, if no other contraceptives were used). If immediate measures are taken after unprotected sexual intercourse (within 72 hours), HIV infection can be prevented. Most sexually transmitted infections can be treated with simple medications. The sooner they visit the doctor, the faster and easier they are treated!

Sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, how do they manifest?

How sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, can be prevented

How sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, can be treated

Peculiarities in the course, prevention and treatment of the main sexually transmitted infections

CHLAMYDIA

Symptoms in women

Most have no symptoms. When they manifest – they have abnormal vaginal discharge or a burning sensation when urinating.

Symptoms in men

Most have no symptoms. When it manifests -. have a pus-like discharge from the penis or a burning sensation when urinating.

Can be treated?

Yes. Left untreated, it can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in women, which can lead to infertility. In men – inflammatory processes of the genital organs, infertility.

Is there a vaccine?

GONORRHEA

Symptoms in women

Most have no symptoms. When they manifest – they have abnormal vaginal discharge or a burning sensation when urinating.

Symptoms in men

They often have discharge from the penis and/or burning when urinating. They rarely have no symptoms

Can be treated?

Yes. Left untreated, it can lead to PID in women and lead to infertility in both, women and men.

Is there a vaccine?

SYPHILIS

Symptoms

It starts with one or more painless sores (sores) on the genitals, rectum, or mouth. The second stage can produce rashes, lesions on the mucous membranes, fever and malaise. The latent stage begins when these symptoms disappear.

Can be treated?

Yes, if treated in the early stages. Without treatment, the infection remains in the body. The late stage of syphilis includes damage to internal organs and can be fatal.

Is there a vaccine?

TRICHOMONIASIS

Symptoms in women

foamy, greenish-yellow vaginal discharge with a strong odor. It can also cause itching or discomfort during sexual intercourse and urination.

Symptoms in men

they are usually asymptomatic; sometimes slight discharge or slight burning when urinating or ejaculating.

Can be treated?

YES

Is there a vaccine?

HEPATITIS B

Symptoms

Sometimes flu-like symptoms, jaundice and dark urine; others show no symptoms.

Can be treated?

No, there is only symptomatic treatment, in many cases the body eliminates the infection by itself. Occasionally it develops into a chronic liver disease, more often if the infection was in childhood.

Is there a vaccine?

YES

HERPES (HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS)

Symptoms

Recurrent episodes of painful blisters/sores on the genitals or in the anus region.

Can be treated?

No, but the symptoms can be controlled with treatment.

Is there a vaccine?

HUMAN PAPILLOMA VIRUS (HPV)

Symptoms in women

It can be asymptomatic. It can cause genital warts or different types of lesions on the cervix

Symptoms in men

It can be asymptomatic. May cause genital warts

Can be treated?

No, but the symptoms can be controlled with treatment. Some strains can turn into cervical cancer in women, various types of laryngeal, anorectal cancer in men and women

Is there a vaccine?

Yes. The vaccine prevents the strains that cause cervical cancer and genital warts.

HIV (HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS )

Symptoms

HIV generally has no symptoms in the early stages. HIV usually leads to AIDS. People with AIDS can suffer from various infections, cancers and other life-threatening conditions.

Can be treated?

AIDS is a chronic, ultimately fatal disease, but treatment (antiretroviral therapy) dramatically slows the progression of the disease.

Is there a vaccine?

HIV/AIDS

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks and destroys a person's immune system. When the immune system becomes weak due to HIV, the body can no longer fight disease and can develop serious, often life-threatening infections and various cancers. This condition is known as AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). People with HIV can also be diagnosed with AIDS, if their blood tests show that their disease-fighting cells have dropped below a certain number.

HIV infection rates vary by country and within countries. The European region now has the fastest growing rate of new HIV cases in the world!
In many places, HIV rates are much higher among young people, especially girls. In many places, men who visit sex workers and men who have sex with men may also be particularly vulnerable to HIV infection.
HIV can be transmitted through all types of sexual contact - vaginal, anal, oral. Having another sexually transmitted infection can increase the risk of acquiring or transmitting HIV during intercourse. HIV can also be transmitted through transfusion of infected blood or sharing needles with an infected person for drugs or steroid use, body piercing or tattooing. HIV can also be passed from an HIV-positive mother to her baby during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding.
HIV cannot be transmitted by touching, kissing, sneezing, coughing or sharing food, drink or utensils or through daily contact at work, school or home. It is not transmitted by using swimming pools, public toilets or insect bites. HIV cannot be transmitted through saliva, tears or sweat. Urine and feces do not transmit HIV unless they contain blood.

HIV can be prevented by:

Abstaining from sexual relations
Correct condom use
Practicing monogamy (applicable if both partners are monogamous and HIV-negative)
The use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PreP) in relationships with increased risk of infection and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) - after a contact with increased risk of infection
Male circumcision
Injections, piercing, interventions, manicure with needles are done with sterile instruments,
Blood transfusions done with tested HIV-negative blood
Testing of women during pregnancy and preventive treatment for HIV-positive mothers
Educating HIV-positive mothers to choose appropriate feeding for their newborns and infants (adapted formulas instead of breastfeeding)

Can HIV infection be cured or treated?

HIV infection cannot be cured, but it can be treated. The current treatment for HIV is called antiretroviral therapy (ART). ART is a combination of drugs that reduce the level of HIV in the blood and slow down the destruction of the immune system. ART has improved the quality and length of life for many people with HIV. These drugs also reduce illness and death from AIDS, the most advanced stage of HIV infection. Not all people respond equally to medication. Without treatment, however, a person infected with HIV generally progresses to AIDS within one to ten years of infection. Without treatment, a person with AIDS may live less than a year.

How can a person know if he or she – or his or her sexual partner – has HIV?

The only way to find out if you have been infected with HIV is to take an HIV test. The only way to find out if your sexual partner is HIV positive is if they take an HIV test and share the result with you. Millions of HIV positive people feel and look perfectly healthy, have no symptoms and have no idea they are passing the virus on to others.

The HIV rapid test detects special proteins (called HIV antibodies) that are present if the person is infected. Tests can usually detect HIV antibodies within six to eight weeks of exposure. In rare cases, it may take up to six months for antibody levels to be detected by a rapid test.

A positive HIV test means that the person has HIV antibodies and is infected with the virus. If the first test is positive, a second, different test is performed to confirm the results.

A negative HIV test means that the person is not infected with HIV. It may mean that he or she is infected but has not yet produced enough HIV antibodies to test positive. Someone who tests HIV negative but suspects they have been recently exposed to the virus should retest in a few months.

Why people should be tested for HIV?

Getting tested for HIV is important for many reasons. Getting a negative test result can bring enormous relief to a person. It can also encourage that person to practice safer sexual behavior in the future. Those who test HIV positive can begin seeking care and treatment. Treatment can improve the quality of life and significantly prolong the life of an HIV-positive person. Those who are tested can inform and protect their sexual partners. For a woman who is – or would like to become – pregnant, it is important to know her HIV status so that she can take steps, if necessary, to reduce the risk of transmission to her baby.

In all Youth Klinic centers you can do a quick, anonymous/confidential HIV test!

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+373 22463728
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