A sexually transmitted infection is an infection that is transmitted from one partner to another during some form of sexual intercourse or contact.
Every day, more than a million cases of infection with one of the sexually transmitted infections are recorded in the world, according to data from the World Health Organization (WHO).
These infections often cause no symptoms and are difficult to detect.
- Syphilis: Return of the forgotten venereal disease to Serbia
- Why is it taboo for men in Serbia to see a urologist?
- Stress, hormones, diseases: The biggest killers of libido
- Erectile dysfunction: Everything you need to know
When an infection causes specific symptoms and illnesses, it is considered a sexually transmitted disease.
Sexually transmitted infections are usually transmitted through sexual intercourse, but sometimes they can also be transmitted through other types of "skin-to-skin" contact.
Mothers can infect their children with some sexually transmitted infections during pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding.
It is possible to become infected with a sexually transmitted infection in ways that do not involve sexual contact, such as blood transfusions and sharing an infected needle.
Sexually transmitted infections can cause serious diseases, such as cancer, chronic pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancy and infertility.
What types of sexually transmitted infections are there?
There are more than 30 different bacteria, viruses and parasites that can be transmitted through sexual contact.
It is possible to have multiple sexually transmitted infections at the same time.
The most common are syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis.
All mentioned infections are curable.
- How a colorful unicorn can explain to a child what gonorrhea is
- Masturbation: A game that relieves stress and improves mood
Symptoms and signs of the disease
Sexually transmitted infections are usually asymptomatic or cause only mild symptoms.
It is possible that you are infected without even knowing it.
But even in the absence of symptoms, these infections can be transmitted through sexual intercourse and cause harmful consequences.
Some of the symptoms that may occur are:
- Unusual discharge from the penis or vagina
- Sores or warts in the genital area
- Painful and frequent urination
- Itching and redness in the genital area
- Blisters or sores in or around the mouth
- Strong and unpleasant vaginal odor
- Anal itching, tenderness or bleeding
- Stomach pain
Why are sexually transmitted infections so common?
According to WHO estimates for 2020, there were 374 million newly infected with at least one of the four most common types of sexually transmitted infections - trichomoniasis (156 million), chlamydia (129 million), gonorrhea (82 million), and syphilis (seven million).
It is estimated that in 2016, more than 490 million people were living with genital herpes, and that about 300 million had HPV (human papillomavirus) infection, which is the main cause of cervical cancer in women and anal cancer in men who have sexual intercourse with men, WHO statistics show.
"Sex is a biological need, and like the need for food and breathing, it is part of human nature," says Dr. Teodora Elvira C. Vi, who heads WHO's global programs for HIV, hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections.
"You have sex, and when you have sex, you can get a sexually transmitted infection.
"That's why the number of infections is so high."
Dr. Vi also emphasizes that since sexually transmitted infections are often asymptomatic, they are often transmitted unconsciously.
The risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections increases due to changes in social-sexual orientation (the desire to have casual sex), says Dr. Vi.
People who have easier access to sex have more than one sexual partner at the same time, and there is also a noticeable increase in the use of dating apps, he explains.
Although recent research shows that the number of young people without a partner who engage in casual sex is decreasing, the use of condoms is decreasing at the same time.
Dr. Wee emphasizes that at a time when HIV therapy was not available, people were cautious about engaging in casual sex and responsible about using condoms.
He points out that in many parts of the world, people believe that they can be tested for HIV, take medicine and be cured.
"So condom use has gone down," says the doctor.
- Why is the number of people infected with syphilis increasing worldwide?
- Sex education may not have to be such a sensitive issue
- Why young women do not use contraception in Bosnia and Herzegovina
According to WHO data, in 2022, 1,3 million newly infected people with HIV were recorded.
More than 600.000 people still die from this virus every year, because they do not know they have HIV and do not receive treatment, or treatment starts too late, says the WHO.
How you can protect yourself from sexually transmitted infections
“Please use a condom.
"It will protect you from sexually transmitted infections," advises Dr. Wee.
"If you want to have sex with someone you don't know, or if you're having casual sex, you have to be responsible.
"You better learn how to use a condom and how not to let it spoil your pleasure."
Proper use of latex condoms greatly reduces, but does not completely eliminate, the risk of contracting or transmitting sexually transmitted infections, health professionals warn.
If someone is allergic to latex, the advice is to use polyurethane condoms.
Also, when the symptoms of a sexually transmitted infection are detected, it is necessary to go to the doctor immediately for testing and treatment.
"Don't go to the pharmacy to get something and treat yourself, because it won't help you.
"If you don't treat yourself properly, the consequences can be serious, such as infertility," warns Dr. Vi.
"Ignoring sexually transmitted infections causes harmful consequences for health.
"They can cause pelvic inflammatory disease, unwanted pregnancy outcomes for the baby, and every year, between one and two million new cases of infertility in women are caused by untreated gonorrhea or chlamydia infections," she emphasizes.
Syphilis accounts for 355.000 adverse outcomes per baby per year, including 143 stillbirths and 61.000 infant deaths.
HPV is the cause of about 342.000 deaths from cervical cancer, Dr. Vi adds.
How sexually transmitted infections are treated
Sexually transmitted infections caused by bacteria and parasites can be treated with antibiotics, but there is no cure for viral ones, such as genital herpes or HPV.
However, medications can relieve symptoms and reduce the risk of spreading the infection.
Also, there are vaccines against HPV and hepatitis B.
Dr Wee says the WHO is investigating the possibility of developing a vaccine against gonorrhea, as well as a therapeutic vaccine against genital herpes, using similar technology to that used in mRNA vaccines against the coronavirus.
She also points out that work is underway to develop a vaccine against chlamydia, as well as initial testing of a possible technology for the development of a vaccine against syphilis.
- Five things every woman should know
- Debunking myths about the HPV virus
- What is the HPV vaccine and who can get it
- A centuries-old sexual myth
What authorities can do to combat sexually transmitted infections
In most of the world, the resources allocated to national programs for the prevention and control of sexually transmitted infections are limited.
"Because of the social stigmatization of sexually transmitted infections, they are not a priority.
"It's not politically smart to fund treatment for sexually transmitted infections, because it won't win you votes," says Dr Wee.
She stresses that governments need to provide easier and more affordable access to health services, as well as more resources to develop diagnostics and treatments for the most common sexually transmitted infections, such as rapid point-of-care tests and vaccines.
"Sexually transmitted infections are completely neglected as infectious diseases.
"We need to reduce the degree of stigmatization of these infections and treat them like any other," she emphasizes.
Watch the video: Korean sex workers concerned about safety
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter i Viber. If you have a topic proposal for us, contact us at bbcnasrpskom@bbc.co.uk
Bonus video:
