Darrick Robles STIs or sexually transmitted infections are infections that are usually transmitted during unprotected sex. Some STIs can now be effectively treated with antibiotics, but others can still have very serious consequences. Med-Healths’s doctors provide you with an up-to-date overview of these sexually transmitted infections and their symptoms, how to protect yourself from them, how to recognize them, and treatment if you do become infected.
What is an STI?
What is the difference between STDs and STIs?
Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) or Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI)?
Today we are talking about sexually transmitted infections rather than sexually transmitted diseases.
Infection means you carry microbes, but they don’t necessarily lead to disease. So someone can be a carrier and transmitter of an infection without showing any symptoms.
facts and figures
According to the World Health Organization, more than 1 million people contract a sexually transmitted infection every day. It is estimated that 357 million people are infected each year with one of these four STIs: chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis or trichomoniasis.
In some cases, STIs can have serious health and reproductive effects beyond the immediate effects. For example, through infertility or the transmission of infections from mother to child.
In 2016, 1 million people died from AIDS worldwide.
Between 2012 and 2016, the number of STI cases in France tripled.
What is an STI?
There are about 30 STIs in total. Eight of these are considered common.
Four of these are bacterial or parasitic infections and can be easily cured if diagnosed early. It refers to:
Four of the most common infections are viral, namely:
These infections are more difficult or impossible to cure and can have a serious impact on the lives of those affected. They need lifelong treatment to mitigate their consequences.
What are the main causes of STIs?
sexual contact
There are about 30 bacteria, viruses and parasites that are sexually transmitted.
STIs are mainly caused by skin-to-mucosal contact during sex, or vaginal, anal, or oral contact.
Therefore, it is important to use condoms during penetrative sex. However, it is also possible to get an STI from oral sex, not just vaginal or anal penetration.
Transmission via the blood
STIs can also be spread through other routes, such as blood transfusions or shared needles in intravenous drug use.
transition from mother to child
Many STIs, including chlamydia , gonorrhea (clap), primary hepatitis B , HIV , and syphilis , can be passed from mother to child during pregnancy and delivery.
What are the symptoms of STIs?
The main symptoms of STIs are:
- Fever
- pain in the lower abdomen
- Itching and abnormal discharge from the genitals
- flushed genitals
- skin rash
- burning sensation when urinating.
However, infections are often asymptomatic. This means you can be infected without having any visible signs. An STI can therefore go unnoticed. It is therefore important to find out with a test whether you have been infected and to follow appropriate treatment if necessary.
How do I know if I have an STI?
You can have an STI without even realizing it. Symptoms are not always visible.
Screening tests are extremely important to find out if you have an STI.
Knowing your status allows you to be treated quickly and effectively and avoid passing the virus on to other people.
How does a screening test for STIs work?
Your family doctor can prescribe a screening test for STIs. Your health insurance will cover the costs if you have symptoms or if your sexual partner has been diagnosed with an illness or infection.
Depending on the infection, the diagnosis can be made with different tests. These include:
- urinalysis
- Examination of the discharge
- sampling in the mouth
- blood test
- Vaginal swab in women
- Sampling at the anus
- Sampling from the urethra in men.
How can you treat STIs?
Some of these infections are curable. For example syphilis , chlamydia or pubic lice .
STIs such as chlamydia , gonorrhea (clap) or syphilis are treated with antibiotics. Because you can only get the treatment on prescription, you have to see a doctor.
Other STIs such as genital herpes or HIV cannot be cured and remain in the body for life. But there are treatments that can reduce or change the symptoms. In the case of HIV, for example, triple therapy.
How can I avoid STIs?
You can easily avoid and stop transmission of STIs:
To protect yourself and others, you should always use a condom during sex, especially with a partner whose HIV and other STI status you do not know.
Get tested regularly for STIs like HIV if you have multiple partners and anytime you decide to go condom-free in a new relationship.
Continue using the treatments you are prescribed until the medicine is gone. You can get vaccinated against some STIs ( hepatitis B , papillomavirus ). Consult a doctor.
Also let your partners know so that they can also be tested and treated if necessary.
When should I go to the doctor?
If you are unsure and have had unprotected sex, you should see a doctor because STIs are very easy to detect and there are not always visible signs. If the doctor prescribes a test for you, the health insurance company will cover the costs for the specialist. If you go directly to a laboratory to get tested, you usually have to bear the costs yourself.
If you have an STI, talk to people you’re comfortable with so you can ask any questions you have: Where did I get it? How am I treated? How can I avoid infecting my partner?
How can Med-Healths Doctors help?
Our Med-Healths doctors can assess your situation regarding a possible STI.
You can prescribe a test. This is the only way to check whether you are infected. With the help of a referral to a gynaecologist, urologist or dermatologist, a smear test, advice or, if necessary, therapy can then take place.
In certain situations, they may prescribe treatment and/or refer you to a specialist.
