Sexually transmitted infections vary in severity of infection and ease of treatment, depending on the causative organism. Some sexually transmitted infections are merely annoying (e.g. pubic lice); others, if untreated, may be life-threatening (e.g. chlamydia and gonorrhea). And, some may be fatal (e.g. HIV/AIDS). Some sexually transmitted infections are relatively easy to cure (e.g. chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis); others are incurable (e.g. HIV/AIDS).
What most sexually transmitted infections do share in common is their occurrence worldwide and the manner in which infection is acquired.
Risk factors for acquiring a sexually transmitted infection:
- having unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex,
- close skin-to-skin contact with an infected area anywhere on the body (e.g. pubic lice),
- sex with strangers or commercial sex workers,
- mother to child transmission through pregnancy and childbirth (e.g. HIV, gonorrhea, HBV),
- multiple sex partners,
- injection drug use or sex with injection drug user,
- sharing needles for body piercing and tattoos.
Treatment of sexually transmitted infections
Many sexually transmitted infections are easily treated, and treatment is organism-specific: the treatment used for chlamydia will not be effective against gonorrhea, and vice-versa. In some geographic locations, sexually transmitted bacteria have become resistant to antibiotics commonly used in treatment; therefore, what is effective treatment in one country or region, may be ineffective in another. In addition, sexually transmitted viral infections such as genital herpes, human papillomavirus and HIV may persist despite anti-viral treatment.
However, treatment for sexually transmitted infections do share one thing in common: all sex partners must also be treated to prevent further spread of infection, and reinfection. Having had a sexually transmitted infection generally does not prevent you from becoming reinfected with the same organism, or with a different sexually transmitted organism.
Other than HBV vaccine and HPV vaccine, there are no licensed vaccines to prevent infection with sexually transmitted organisms. Clinical trials are currently ongoing for a HIV vaccine, but it is too early to determine whether it will prove effective in HIV prevention.
Prevention of sexually transmitted infections:
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