Sexually Transmitted Infections, STI

Since 1981, approximately 75 million people worldwide have become infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the virus that causes AIDS.

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The number of people having STIs has increased these days, and STIs are preventable with responsible sex and contact. I want to cover 4 STIs (Gonorrhea, Syphilis, HIV/ADIS, and Herpes) today and prevention for those.

Gonorrhea

Bacterial infection by Neisseria gonorrhoeae. It can be transmitted from mother to baby through vaginal delivery. The symptoms of positive gonorrhea is different between male and female.

Male	Female
Experience dysuria (painful urination) Discharge with pus filled (milky) from penis	Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) Asymptomatic

Infants – high risk of blindness during birth

Syphilis

Syphilis is caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. It can be transmitted through sexual contact or direct skin contact with infected skin lesions. Sexual contact includes vaginal, oral, and anal sex. As syphilis develops, there are four stages: primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary

Primary Syphilis

• Initial stage
• Chancre formation as painless sore or ulcer
• Chancre is formed within 3-4 weeks after first infection (exposure)
• Chancre heals itself without treatment

Secondary Syphilis

• Rash and lesions on the mucous membrane
• Chills and flu-like symptoms
  • Fever, sore throat, and swollen lymph nodes

Latent Syphilis

• No signs or symptoms  
• It can cause lesions in the tissues and organs of the body
• Can be latent for decades

Tertiary Syphilis

• Severe and life-threatening stage
• Affect various organs (heart and brain etc.)
  • Damage to the Central nervous system
• Blindness, paralysis, mental illness

Diagnosis for T. pallidum

• Blood test (immunological test)

It is important to treat syphilis in the primary stage so that it won’t develop to the next stages. Vaginal delivery can transmit syphilis to the baby, causing congenital syphilis. Immunological tests can be taken to diagnose syphilis. Antibiotic therapy is essential to treat syphilis

HIV/AIDs

Human Immunodeficiency Virus, HIV, is one of the major STIs. It targets our lymphocytes, especially helper T cells, and makes our immune system not work. As HIV is left untreated, it will eventually cause the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, called AIDS. Patients will develop AIDS if HIV is not managed and helper T cell counts severely drop.

HIV transmission

• Sexual contact
• Using a contaminated syringe
• Mother-to-child; during pregnancy, childbirth, and breast-feeding

Herpes

Viral infection by herpesviruses family. These viruses can cause simplex, varicella (chickenpox and shingles), Epstein-Barr, cytomegalovirus, roseola, and HHV-8. But in this blog, I will focus more on simple and varicella. Simplex virus can cause skin lesions with cell death and inflammation. This infection gives neonatal herpes. Infants will have redness in their eyes. This virus is transmitted through close bodily contact. For this type of herpes treatment, there is no cure. This virus remains latent. The next type of herpes virus, varicella-zoster virus, is the one causing chicken pox and shingles. It is transmitted through respiratory aerosol, meaning it is transmitted through coughing or sneezing.

Chicken Pox

• Rash
• Fever
• Itch, fluid-filled blisters
• Can be transmitted from person to person

Shingles

• Latent varicella virus reactivated  
• Someone who is exposed to chicken pox will have shingles
• Shingles won’t spread from person to person
• Serious nerve pain with rash

Prevention and treatment 

Having responsible sex and maintaining good hygiene is the key to preventing STIs. Even if the STIs are developed, antibiotics or antiviral therapy can treat and manage those STIs and prevent further development and spread of STIs. Do regular health checks with blood screening, use protectors, and keep vaccinations up to date. These will prevent you from getting STIs. Please have safe and protected sex.

References

Rebecca J. Donatelle (2019). Chapter12 Infectious Condition. My Health [ebook 3rd eidition]. Pearson Education. https://plus.pearson.com/courses/johnson-gibbs09383/products/2U5IQOLR9BI/pages/aa3e472a9115cdf650f6bb32403adf2c7c4a08b0a?locale=&key=1062423813110092010112023