Common Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI)

Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted bacterial infection that affects both males and females. The urethra, rectum, cervix (for women), and throat are the most commonly affected areas by gonorrhea. In the Philippines, gonorrhea is among the seven most common sexually transmitted infections.

How do people get Gonorrhea?

As gonorrhea is transmitted through sexual contact with an infected partner's penis, vagina, mouth, or anus, those who have more than one sexual partner, or have a partner who engages in sexual intercourse with more than one person are at risk of contracting the infection. Gonorrhea can also be spread perinatally from mother to baby during childbirth. This can result in blindness, joint infection, or a potentially fatal blood infection in the baby.

Symptoms

HIV/AIDS risk is increased. Having gonorrhea increases your risk of infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the virus that causes AIDS. People who have both gonorrhea and HIV are more likely to transmit both infections to their partners.

Complications in infants. Babies who get gonorrhea from their mothers during childbirth can experience blindness, scalp sores, and infections.

Women's infertility. Gonorrhea has the potential to extend into the uterus and fallopian tubes, resulting in pelvic inflammatory illness (PID). PID can cause scarring of the tubes, as well as an increased risk of pregnancy problems and infertility. PID necessitates rapid medical attention.

Male infertility. Gonorrhea can inflame the epididymis, a tiny, coiled tube in the back of the testicles where the sperm ducts are located. Infertility can result from untreated epididymitis.

Treatment

Antibiotics can be used to treat this illness, which can also be administered to the patient's sexual partner. For the treatment of gonorrhea, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a single 500 mg intramuscular dosage of ceftriaxone. Although medication can treat the infection, it cannot cure any long-term harm caused by the infection.

Prevention

• Abstain from vaginal, anal, and oral sex
• Use condom when engaging in sexual intercourse
• Monogamy
• Have you and your partner tested for any STIs

Infection that spreads to your joints and other bodily parts. The gonorrhea bacterium can move through your bloodstream and infect other regions of your body, including your joints. Possible side effects include fever, rash, skin blisters, joint discomfort, edema, and stiffness.

Genital Warts

One of the most common types of sexually transmitted infections are genital warts, caused by low-risk human papillomavirus strains (HPV). These HPV 6 and HPV 11 strains are distinct from the high-risk viruses that can cause cervical dysplasia and cancer. Genital warts can appear as little, flesh-colored bumps or as cauliflower-like growths. At times, the warts may be too small to be seen. Lesions may also appear in the mouth or throat of those who have engaged in oral sex with an infected partner.

How do people get Genital Warts?

Sexual activity, including oral, vaginal, anal intercourse, and low-risk HPV types 6 and 11 are ways that cause genital warts to appear. However, they are not always visible to the human eye. Genital warts can be quite little and the same or slightly darker in color as the skin. They may also appear as either a cluster of warts or as a single wart.

Symptoms

• Swellings in your genital area that are small, flesh-colored, brown, or pink
• A cauliflower-like shape caused by a cluster of warts.
• Itching or discomfort in the genital region
• Bleeding
• Tenderness or pain
• Burning

Complications

Cancer. Cervical cancer and genital HPV infection have been connected. Certain forms of HPV have also been linked to malignancies of the vulva, anus, penis, mouth, and throat.

Obstacles during pregnancy. Warts can occasionally increase during pregnancy, making it harder to urinate. Warts on the vaginal wall can prevent vaginal tissues from expanding during childbirth. When stretched during birth, large warts on the vulva or in the vagina can bleed.

Treatment

While visible genital warts usually disappear with time, HPV can remain in your skin cells. The CDC advises routine HPV vaccination for girls and boys between the ages of 11 and 12, while it can be administered as early as age 9. Furthermore, while no treatment is completely successful, it is critical to prevent the transmission of HPV, which causes genital warts and some malignancies, wherever feasible. Therefore, treating symptoms is critical if you would not want to transmit the illness to others.

Preventions

The use of condoms, as well as limiting your number of sexual partners and getting vaccinated, can help reduce the spread of genital warts.

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is also among the commonly spread sexually transmitted disease. It is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis and is capable of infecting both men and women. Chlamydia can infect the cervix, rectum, or throat of women whereas it infects the urethra, rectum, or throat in men. In the early stages of Chlamydia, most people have no visible symptoms. In fact, it is estimated that 40 to 96 percent of Chlamydia patients have no symptoms. However, it can still cause health concerns in the future.

How do people get Chlamydia Infection?

Sexual activity, including oral, vaginal, or anal intercourse without a condom, is the most common method a chlamydia infection transmits. It does not have to be penetrated in order to be contracted. Touching genitals together may allow the bacterium to spread. Furthermore, newborn babies can also contract chlamydia from their infected mothers during labor.

Symptoms

• Pain
• Burning sensation during urination
• Abnormal discharge in the genitals
• Rectal pain

Complications

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID is a uterus and fallopian tube infection that causes pelvic pain and fever. Infections that are severe enough may necessitate hospitalization for intravenous antibiotics. PID can harm the fallopian tubes, ovaries, and uterus, as well as the cervix.

Infection near the testicles (epididymitis). A chlamydia infection can cause inflammation of the coiled tube found next to each testicle (epididymis). Fever, scrotal discomfort, and edema may occur as a result of the infection.

Infection of the prostate gland. The chlamydia organism can seldom spread to a man's prostate gland. Pain during or after intercourse, fever and chills, painful urination, and lower back pain are all symptoms of prostatitis.

Infections in infants. During birth, the chlamydia infection can spread from the vaginal canal to your infant, causing pneumonia or a serious eye infection.

Ectopic pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy occurs when fertilized egg implants and grows outside of the uterus, generally in a fallopian tube. The pregnancy must be terminated to avoid potentially fatal consequences, such as a ruptured tube. This risk is increased by chlamydia infection.

Infertility. Even if there are no symptoms, Chlamydia infections can induce scarring and occlusion in the fallopian tubes, rendering women infertile.

Treatment

Chlamydia is easily treated and curable. Antibiotics are used to treat it because it is bacterial in origin. Azithromycin is a type of antibiotic that is typically provided in a single, big dose. Doxycycline is an antibiotic that must be taken twice day for approximately one week. In addition, a healthcare professional may prescribe more antibiotics.

It is critical not to have intercourse during the treatment period. Even if you have treated a past infection, you can still transfer and get chlamydia if exposed again.

Prevention

Make use of condoms. During each sexual interaction, use a male latex condom or a female polyurethane condom. Condoms, when used correctly throughout each sexual contact, lower but do not eliminate the risk of infection.

Limit the amount of sex partners you have. You are more likely to get chlamydia and other sexually transmitted infections if you have several sex partners.

Schedule regular screenings. If you are sexually active, especially if you have several partners, consult your doctor about how frequently you should get tested for chlamydia and other sexually transmitted infections.