Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI).

Sexually transmitted infections as the name implies are infections resulting from unprotected sexual intercourse between an infected and none infected individual or between two infected individuals with the transfer of the infection from the source to the uninfected person who becomes a carrier.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has recommended sexually transmitted infection as the preferred term since 1999. Sexually transmitted infection is a broader term than sexually transmitted disease.

STI's are usually characterised by certain signs and symptoms and some include dysurea(pain when urinating), penile or vaginal discharge,painful sexual intercourse(dyspareunia),Itching, lymph node adenopathy and sometimes infertility which may be primary or secondary e.t.c.

STI are generally large umbrella housing so many sub groups thus sexually transmitted infections can be caused by bacteria organism (gram negative and gram positive), fungi, parasites, viruses.

More than 30 different bacteria, viruses, and parasites can cause STIs. Bacterial STIs include chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis among others. Viral STIs include genital herpes, HIV/AIDS, and genital warts among others. Parasitic STIs include trichomoniasis among others. While usually spread by sex, some STIs can also be spread by non-sexual contact with contaminated blood and tissues, breastfeeding, or during childbirth. STI diagnostic tests are easily available in the developed world, but this is often not the case in the developing world.

Commonly known sexually transmitted infections includes;

 Gonorrhea caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

Syphilis caused by traponema pallidum

HIV/AIDS (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) 

Viral hepatitis (Hepatitis B virus)—saliva, venereal fluids.(Note: Hepatitis A and Hepatitis E are transmitted via the fecal-oral route; Hepatitis C is rarely sexually transmittable and the route of transmission of Hepatitis D (only if infected with B) is uncertain, but may include sexual transmission.

HPV (Human Papillomavirus)—skin and mucosal contact. 'High risk' types of HPV cause almost all cervical cancers, as well as some anal, penile, and vulvar cancer. Some other types of HPV cause genital warts.

Chlamydia trachomatis.

We will be learning about the above mentioned STI's with their treatment and prevention in our subsequent post.