Types of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) !

What are Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI)?

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are the infections which are generally acquired by sexual contact.
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) specifically transmit from one person to another during unprotected sex or close sexual contact with the person who already has an STI.
Infection are passed from one person to another during vaginal, anal or oral sex.

According to WHO:

More than 1 million STIs are acquired every day.
Every year, there are estimated 376 million new infections with one of four STIs:
- Chlamydia (131 million),
- Gonorrhea (78 million),
- Syphilis (5.6 million) and
- Trichomoniasis (143 million).
More than 500 million people are living with genital HSV (herpes) infection.
At any point in time, more than 290 million females can have an HPV infection, one of the most common STIs.

The different Sexually Transmitted Infections. They are as follows:

Caused by bacteria called Chlamydia trachomatis.
Passed through unprotected sex along with infected semen and vaginal fluids.
Pregnant women with chlamydia can pass the infection to an unborn baby.
Infected with chlamydia increases the possibility of receiving HIV as the infections because sores or lesions that helps HIV to enter in the body

Caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV)
There are basically two types of HSV:
- HSV-1: transmitted by oral-to-oral contacts resulting oral herpes i.e. infections around the mouth area and inside it.
- HSV-2: transmitted through sexual contact with the infected sexual partner and it is lifelong and incurable

Asymptomatic during the first phase of infection and can take months or years to develop.
If symptoms are seen the onset of the disease, they usually develop in 4-7 days.
Symptoms are usually more severe the first time and lesser during re-occurring infections.
Pain around genitals
Fever
Discomfort
Trouble while urinating due to sores and swelling of the urethra
Blisters and ulcers on the cervix (lower part of the womb) in women
Small blisters, open sores around genitals, anus (bottom), thighs and buttocks
Even though symptoms can disappear naturally, the virus stays dormant (inactive) in the body and symptoms may come back – this is called a recurrent outbreak.

Awareness of STIs in red light areas.
Infected person partners should be made aware of herpes
Avoiding sexual contact after the symptoms start to appear in the body.
Counseling to both infected person and their sexual partners about effective management of genital herpes.
Physical and mental support to the infected person by their partners and families.

Caused by Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)/ Genital HPV.

Whitish bumps presence on genital.
Bleeding while intercourse
Itching and discomfort around the genital area
Genital wart complications may include cervical cancer and problems during pregnancy among women.

Vaccination known as Gardasil protects against four strains of HPV that cause cancer and used to prevent genital warts.
Safe sex practice
Maintain hygiene and sanitation in private parts.
Avoiding sexual contact with an infected partner.
Routine checkups
Counseling to the infected person and their partners about effective management of genital warts.

Caused by bacteria known as Neisseria gonorrhea or gonococcus

In many cases, gonorrhea infections are asymptomatic but when they appear, it can affect multiple sites in the body.

In men:

In women:

Vaginal bleeding between periods, such as after vaginal intercourse
Painful intercourse
Abdominal or pelvic pain
Untreated gonorrhea can lead to various complications in men and women such as Infertility, infection to other parts of the body, high risk of HIV/ AIDS, and complications in babies like infections, blindness, and sores on the scalp.