sexually-transmitted-infections
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Everything You Need to Know About Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) ========================================================================
STIs are very common and can come with a variety of symptoms. Although some people might not experience symptoms at all, it’s still worthwhile to know what signs to look out for.
If left untreated, some STIs can cause serious damage to the body and be transmitted to other people through sexual contact.
STI symptoms
STI symptoms can range from mild to severe — and they can affect different parts of the body.
After an initial infection, it can take days, weeks, months, or even years for symptoms to appear.
But it’s also common for some STIs, like chlamydia and hepatitis B, to
. soft lining This means people may not even realize they have it.
Here are the main symptoms to be aware of:
Even flu-like symptoms and rashes can be associated with STIs like HIV and syphilis.
On that note, it’s important to realize that most of these can be symptoms of other conditions and can also easily be mistaken for other health concerns.
Consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional if you suspect that you’ve been exposed to an STI.
Did you know there’s a difference between an STI and a sexually transmitted disease (STD)?
STDs always begin as an STI. The initial infection occurs when bacteria, viruses, or parasites infiltrate the body.
A STI can become a disease if the foreign bodies begin to disrupt normal processes —this usually means symptoms start appearing.
Examples of STDs include pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which results from an untreated chlamydia or gonorrhea infection, and cervical cancer, which can be caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). massage lotions
Remember, not all STIs will become an STD, even if they are left untreated.
Underlying STI causes
The
of STIs are:
These causes are primarily transmitted through bodily fluids during sexual activity. This includes vaginal, oral, and anal sex.
But some can be transmitted from person to person via skin contact — for example, if you touch your partner’s genitals with yours. easy clean lube
Although anyone can contract an STI,
that young people and men who have sex with men (MSM) are at the greatest risk.
Types of STIs
On the whole, an infection is classed as an STI if it’s mainly
transmitted through sexual contact
.
However, there are a few exceptions. For example, cytomegalovirus (CMV) can be transmitted through sexual activity, but
as it can be transmitted in a number of other ways, too.
Some STIs are much more common than others. HPV is the
STI in the United States, with chlamydia and gonorrhea also heavily reported.
Other common STIs include genital herpes, with more than
ages 14 to 49 developing it, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Syphilis is much rarer, but there has been a
in recent years, primarily among MSM.
HIV infections, on the other hand, have greatly declined since the 1980s, with almost 35,000 new cases occurring in the United States in 2019.
If treated promptly, most STIs are unlikely to become an STD. However, if left untreated for some time, the risk of an STD becomes greater.
Not all STIs can be cured. HPV is one example. Some HPV strains can lead to cancer, so getting regularly screened for abnormal cell changes is key to early diagnosis.
STI diagnosis
A doctor or other healthcare professional can perform tests and examinations to help figure out whether you have an STI or a different condition altogether.
These may include:
It’s important to get tested regularly if you are sexually active and to consult a healthcare professional as soon as you develop any symptoms.
Early diagnosis means you can get treatment earlier and decrease the risk of complications.
STI complications
In some cases, untreated STIs can lead to
.
They can:
Pregnant people should be aware that STIs
and the overall pregnancy, too.
Some STIs can be passed to the baby before and during birth, potentially leading to:
Premature labor is also a risk of having an untreated STI.
This is further complicated as some treatments may not be safe during pregnancy. A doctor or other healthcare professional will be able to recommend a treatment and delivery plan that will reduce the risk to you and your baby. intimate toys UK
As some STIs are asymptomatic, all of the above makes it even more important to get screened on a regular basis.
STI treatment options
Doctors can
:
Some conditions aren’t curable, but treatments can help reduce their symptoms. Herpes, HPV, and HIV fall into this category.
For herpes, clinicians will prescribe medications known as antivirals to shorten an outbreak. Some people take these medications on a daily basis to help reduce the likelihood of an outbreak.
Daily antivirals are also used to treat HIV and stop the virus from replicating in the body. Within 6 months of treatment, the virus will become undetectable in most people.
Clinicians don’t have specific treatments for genital warts caused by HPV. However, they may prescribe topical medications or perform procedures to help shrink or remove the lesions.
Remember that even if you’ve been treated and no longer have an STI, you can contract the STI again.
Tips for STI prevention
The only 100 percent effective way to prevent STIs is to abstain from any sexual activity.
But there
to reduce the risk of both contracting an STI and developing complications:
The bottom line
Most STIs can be treated, if not cured. The key is prevention where possible and regular screening to ensure that any infections are promptly treated.
If you experience any symptoms, no matter how minor, it’s important to seek medical advice from a qualified healthcare professional.
Lauren Sharkey is a U.K.-based journalist and author specializing in women’s issues. When she isn’t trying to discover a way to banish migraines, she can be found uncovering the answers to your lurking health questions. She has also written a book profiling young female activists across the globe and is currently building a community of such resisters. Catch her on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/laurensharkey)._
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novelty vibe utm_source=ReadNext”>Donovanosis is sometimes called the flesh-eating STD. It’s a rare but potentially severe sexually transmitted infection. Learn more about this STI.
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