Shortened or abbreviated as STIs, sexually transmitted infections are the infections that usually happen through sexual contact. The contact includes oral, vaginal, and anal sex. As per the World Health Organisation (WHO), approximately 1 million people across the world have SITs a day.
STIs (sexually transmitted infections) are the initial stage of STDs (sexually transmitted diseases). You should get an STD test in Noida or your locality whenever you make love to an unknown person. Early checkup or screening can help you stay safe from their deadly effects on your body.
What are the 8 common sexually transmitted infections?
Usually, there are more than 30 viruses, parasites, and bacteria that cause problems to a person through sexual contact. Here are c Common sexually transmitted infections:
- Chlamydia – It occurs due to an infection with Chlamydia trachomatis. As a common infection, it can spread through oral, anal, or vaginal sex. It can happen to a child during childbirth. Usually, it has no visible symptoms in the initial days. Later on, it can cause rectal pain, bleeding, or discharge.
- Genital herpes (herpes simplex virus, HSV) – It affects skin, genital organs, cervix, and other parts of the body. Usually, it spreads when a person touches the infected body part of another person. It cannot spread through the swimming pool, toilet seats, bedding, soaps, etc. The primary symptom is blisters in anus, mouth, or genital area. Other symptoms are fever, swollen lymph nodes, and body aches.
- Gonorrhoea – As a common sexual infection, it develops due to bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. If not treated well, it can lead to life-threatening complications. It spreads through oral, anal, or vaginal sex. Common symptoms of gonorrhoea are pain during urination, discharge, swellings on genitals, bleeding between periods, and anal itching & discharge.
- HIV/AIDS – Standing for human immunodeficiency virus, HIV makes a person’s immune system weak. It can spread through sexual contact and other means. If not treated well, it can turn into Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). An infected person has HIV virus in his/her bodily fluids such as blood, breast milk, semen, vaginal fluid, and rectal fluids. The person can infect another person through sexual contact.
- HPV – Human papillomavirus is a group of viruses and affects skin, mucous membranes like the cervix, anus, throat, and mouth. It spreads through oral, vaginal, and anal sex. Further, it spreads from a pregnant female to a baby. Vaccination is available for it.
- Hepatitis B – It is a long-term infection and damages the liver. The virus remains in the blood semen, and other bodily fluids of an infected person. Its transmission happens through sexual contacts such as oral, vaginal, and anal sex. It can happen with the use of nonsterile equipment for injections.
- Syphilis – Syphilis happens from an infection with the bacterium Treponema pallidum. It is a serious infection and requires early treatment for prevention. Initially, an infected person has a round firm sore at the affected part such as anus, genitals, mouth, or rectum. Later on, the person can experience weight loss, headaches, fatigue, fever, hair loss, and swollen lymph nodes.
- Trichomoniasis – It can make anyone suffer. However, it happens to females. In the initial days, there are no signs or symptoms. Infected persons can experience unusual discharge, pain while urinating, pain during ejaculation, and discomfort/pain during sex.
STIs such as gonorrhoea, syphilis, trichomoniasis, and chlamydia are curable. However, HIV/AIDS, HSV, HPV, and hepatitis B are incurable.
When should you see a doctor?
Usually, STIs have no visible symptoms in the initial days. Infected people notice symptoms when the infection turns into a sexually transmitted disease. You should immediately see a doctor as you make unprotected sexual contact with an unknown person.
Treatment
A doctor will recommend you a respective test after interacting with you. The test results will confirm whether infection is present in your body or not. After being confirmed on infection presence, the doctor will advise the best possible treatments to cure your problem or lower its impact on you. The treatment can include:
- Antibiotic medicines
- Vaccines
How to stay safe from STIs
Prevention is always better than treatment. So, you should always be careful and apply preventive methods to safeguard yourself from STIs or STDs. here are some useful steps for you:
- Have only one sexual partner
- Use a condom, dental dam, etc. before having oral, vaginal, or anal sex
- Talk to about infection and get tested for STIs before making love to new partner
- Be careful while having alcoholic beverages and recreational drugs
Conclusion
STIs are the initial stage of STDs. Some of them are curable while others are incurable. Educating yourself, talking to your partner, and avoiding unprotected physical intimacy with a new partner can help you stay safe.
