Any individual who makes the decision to be sexually active needs to learn more about SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS (STIs). You may have heard about STD or VD in the past, but they all refer to infections that can be spread through intimate skin-to-skin contact and sexual activity including (but not limited to) oral, vaginal and anal intercourse.
There are over 30 different types of STIs, which are spread through sexual contact. Most STIs can be cured if treated easily. Without proper diagnosis and treatment, STIs can cause serious lifelong medical complications and even death.
What Are Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)?
Sexually transmitted infections are infections which are passed on during sex from infected partner to an uninfected one. Some STIs are also spread from mother to child before, during or after birth. They are caused by germs, which leads to different specific diseases. However, most common STIs can be cured if correct and adequate treatment is given without delay. (Commonest among STIs are Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Chancroids, Genital Warts, Candidiasis, Genital Herpes, Chlamydia and HIV).
Why Should You Worry About STIs?
If you have sex, especially unprotected sex, as it does not matter what age, race, or gender you are, you stand the risk of getting infected by one or more STIs.
• If they are not treated, certain STIs can make you unable to have children (infertile).
• STIs can be painful or even deadly.
• STIs greatly increase your risk of becoming infected with HIV.
• There is no known cure for HIV, which is also an STI.
• STIs e.g. Syphilis can lead to mental disorder if left untreated.
• It can cause blindness in infants e.g. Gonorrhea.
• Many STIs can lead to abnormality of the unborn baby.
How Do You Know If You Have An STI?
Some general signs that may suggest an STI:
• Bumps, sores or warts (small growths) near the genital, anus or mouth.
• Severe itching at the genital areas…Swelling or redness near the genitals.
• A sting or burning sensation when urinating.
• Frequent urination.
• Fever, chills, aches and pains, vomiting.
• A discharge with foul smell from the vagina of penis.
• Vaginal bleeding other than a Menstrual Period.
• Deep vaginal pain when you have sex.
• Pain between the hips and genital in women.
Is It Easy To Know If Someone Has An STI?
Men
Most common STIs show signs, which can be felt and seen on the penis e.g. pus (discharge) from the penis and sores, swelling or growth around the penis and severe itching.
Women
In women, the signs of an STI especially Gonorrhea takes a long time to appear although the STI germs is in the vagina.
The only time a woman may suspect she has an STI is when she begins to experience abnormal discharge from the vagina, or lower abdominal pain. Sometimes, an STI is suspected in a woman when she gives birth to a child who has signs of STI or when her partner develops signs of an STI especially Gonorrhea.
Remember that a person with HIV may not show any signs for many years, but can pass it to others during this period.
It is therefore pertinent to note that if one has an STI, his/her partner should be treated too, even if they show no signs of an STI.
If You Experience Any of the Above Signs/Symptoms
1. Visit the nearest clinic/hospital for prompt and proper treatment.
2. Always tell your partner so that he/she can get treatment.
3. Follow the doctor’s instruction and complete your treatment.
4. Abstain from sexual intercourse during the period of treatment, if you must have sex, use condom.
In What Way Is HIV Associated To STIs?
HIV, the germ that causes AIDS is passed on from an infected person to another person mainly through sexual contact, making HIV a sexually transmitted disease. Like some STIs, HIV can be passed from an infected mother to her child before, during or after birth.
STIs that lead to sores and severe itching on or leakage (discharge) from the penis of a man or the vagina of a woman increase the risk of passing on HIV. When a person who has HIV contacts an STI, the situation becomes complicated.
ADVICE FOR YOUTHS
Reduce Your Risk:
1. Remember that ABSTINENCE or not having sexual intercourse is the only 100% safe way of preventing yourself from STI infection. However, if you must have sex, then consider the following tips:
2. Avoid the use of alcohol and drugs as these cause impaired judgment and influence people to take sexual risks that they would not take ordinarily.
3. Limit your sexual partners. Unprotected sex with one partner puts you at risk of infection if that partner is having sex with others. It is always best to be faithful to one sexual partner in order to reduce your risk.
4. If possible, obtain your partner’s sexual history to assess your own risk.
5. If you are sexually active, obtain regular medical check up. Many STIs show no signs at all or may disappear without treatment and be spread without the person knowing it. Be informed that STIs are not pleasant gifts to be spread around and is quite dangerous to your health if left untreated.
6. Obtain prompt and proper treatment. Do not be deceived about supposed cure for STIs; obtain proper treatment from a qualified health practitioner after diagnosis has been made to determine the specific infection.
7. Recognize the signs of STIs for prompt treatment.
8. Always use protection every time you have sex.
9. Do not have sex with people you do not know or are not sure of. Do not douche the vagina after sexual intercourse if you suspect your partner. Douching may push the germ higher.
LIFE IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT. CHOOSE TO LIVE WELL. TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR FUTURE.
