Sexually transmitted infections/diseases effect men and women and are caused by viruses or bacteria, passed on during sex. You can't always tell if you have an Sexually transmitted infection as some can be symptom free.
Sexually transmitted infections can cause ectopic pregnancy (where an egg is fertilized and becomes implanted in the fallopian tube) and can cause infertility in men and women.
What are the Symptoms?
Some sexually transmitted infections can be symptom free and others can vary from unusual discharge from the penis or vagina, heavy periods or bleeding between periods, pain or burning sensation when passing urine, rashes, itching or tingling around the genitals or anus.
THE FACTS AND STATISTICS
Recently the Daily Mail quoted a Commons report that savaged the Government, for the 'dire' state of the Sexual Health Services.
- They warn that half of the NHS clinics were using an outdated test that
misses a third of cases.
- New cases of Chlamydia have risen by as much as 200 per cent from 29,000
in 1995 to almost 90,000 in 2004.
- Chlamydia which often produces no symptoms has become the most common
sexually transmitted disease which if left untreated can lead to long term
consequences like inflammatory disease and infertility.
- New cases of syphilis have soared by 1,400 per cent.
- Gonorrhoea is up 137 per cent.
- Genital Herpes has increased by 14 per cent.
- There were two million attendance's at Sexual Health Clinics in 2003 compared
with under one million in 1997.
- There is a predicted increase of 30 to 50 per cent in cases at Sexual Health Clinics by 2008.
CHLAMYDIA
Symptoms
- Pain when passing urine, men may notice a frequent urge to urinate.
- An unusual or unpleasant discharge from the vagina or penis.
- Slight menstrual-like discomfort.
- Bleeding between periods or after sex in women.
- Redness at the tip of the penis.
Chlamydia is now the commonest sexually transmitted infection. Those most at risk are 16 to 25 year olds.
The nature of the infection can mean that up to 70 per cent of women and 50 per cent of men who have Chlamydia have no symptoms. This means that it is easily passed on without your knowledge.
If left untreated, Chlamydia can cause long term problems in women, such as chronic pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). It is estimated that 10 - 30 per cent of women infected with Chlamydia will develop PID. PID causes pain and damage to the fallopian tubes, leading to infertility. Others include ectopic and premature birth and urethritis (inflammation of the urethra - the tube through which urine travels from the bladder to the outside of the body). In men it is thought that the infection effects the movement of sperm, therefore causing problems with male fertility.
Treatment
Chlamydia is easily treated with antibiotics. Current and previous sexual partners also need to be treated to prevent the spread of the infection.
GONORRHOEA
Symptoms
- Men may notice pain or burning when passing urine.
- A frequent need to pass urine.
- Discharge from tip of penis.
- Men who have received anal intercourse may notice pain in the rectum and
discharge.
- Women are more often symptom free but may notice some vaginal discharge, pain on passing urine and the same rectal symptoms as men, if they have had anal intercourse.
Gonorrhoea effects both men and women but can go unnoticed by both as symptoms may be so mild. Man may show symptoms more than women. Mild or unnoticed symptoms means the infection can be easily passed on without your knowledge.
The bacteria can spread to the fallopian tubes and result in pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID can lead to blocked fallopian tubes and infertility.
In men Gonorrhoea usually effects the urethra. In homosexuals infection of the throat, anus and rectum are common. The infection can spread to other regions of the reproductive tract, such as the epididymis (an oblong structure attached to the upper part of each testis) and the prostate.
In both sexes Gonorrhoea can occasionally lead to more widespread infection of the peritoneum, joints and blood, with abdominal pain, arthritis and fever. On rare occasions the disease may be transmitted from mother to baby during childbirth and may result in their babies having conjunctivitis.
Treatment
Gonorrhoea is easily treated with antibiotics. Current and previous sexual partners also need to be treated to prevent the spread of the infection.
GENITAL HERPES
Symptoms
Very similar in men and women. Initially nothing to see at first but just stinging, itching or tingling in the genital or anal area. Later small blisters, containing clear fluid will appear. When these burst, they leave small red ulcers, which can be very sore. If near the urethra (the tube where the urine comes out), passing urine can be painful. The ulcers can usually heal within 2 weeks.
Once the virus has entered the body it can stay there for the rest of the persons life and sores can reoccur from time to time.
There are two types of Herpes Simplex, Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 is the main cause of cold sores around the nose and mouth, and Type 2 is responsible for Genital Herpes. They are both very similar and it is possible for infection to spread from mouth to genital area and vice versa via oral sex.
Treatment
There is no long term cure, but there is some medication available which may help to speed up healing of sores.
SYPHILIS
Symptoms
- These start with a painless sore, usually on or near the vagina or penis,
but sometimes in the mouth or anus.
- Followed by a rash on body and flu like symptoms.
Syphilis is no longer very common in the UK but has seen a large increase over the last few years. Syphilis is also a bacterial sexually transmitted infection.
Treatment
Antibiotics. If left untreated, it can cause heart problems and dementia.
HEPATITIS B
Symptoms
Many will have no symptoms. Others will have flu like symptoms and jaundice (yellowing of eyes and skin).
Hepatitis B is caused by the Hepatitis B virus (HBV). HBV is very infectious and is transmitted sexually or by contact with blood or blood stained saliva or urine.
Treatment
No specific treatment but there is a vaccine against the virus. Most people recover completely after rest, but in some cases there maybe long term liver damage.
CYSTITIS
Symptoms
- Burning or stinging sensation when passing urine
- There also may be blood present in urine.
- If infection spreads to kidneys, inflammation of kidneys may occur, with fever and back pain.
Although not a typical STI, cystitis is usually caused by bacteria gaining entry into the bladder via the urethra but sometimes occurs in women after intercourse.
Treatment
Antibiotics and plenty of water to flush the bacteria away.
