The importance of condom usage to prevent contracting sexually transmitted infections

STI/Condom Week is a health awareness event that highlights the importance of condom usage and educates people about the transmission of sexually transmitted infections.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) refer to infections that can be transmitted from one person to another through sexual contact.

Different types of STIs:

•  Chlamydia:

Chlamydia can be transmitted during vaginal, oral or anal sexual contact with an infected partner.

While many individuals will not experience symptoms, chlamydia can cause fever, abdominal pain and unusual discharge from the penis or vagina.

In women, whether or not they are having symptoms and know about their infection, chlamydia can cause Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID).

If chlamydia is detected early, it can be treated easily with antibiotics.

•  Gonorrhea:

Gonorrhea is caused by the neisseria gonorrhea bacterium, which can grow rapidly and multiply easily in the warm, moist areas of the reproductive tract.

The most common symptoms of gonorrhea infection are a discharge from the vagina or penis and painful or difficult urination.

Gonorrhea can also infect the mouth, throat, eyes and rectum and can spread to the blood and joints, where it can become a life-threatening illness.

•  Genital herpes:

Genital herpes is a contagious infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV).

There are two different types of HSV; herpes simplex virus type one (HSV-1) and type two (HSV-2).

HSV-1 symptoms usually appear as fever blisters or cold sores on the lips, but it can also infect the genital region through oral-genital contact.

HSV-2 symptoms typically causes painful, watery skin blisters on or around the genitals or anus.

Neither HSV-1 nor HSV-2 can be cured.

•  HIV/Aids:

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), is the virus that causes Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (Aids).

HIV destroys the body’s immune system by killing the blood cells that fight infection.

Aids can be prevented by early initiation of anti-retroviral therapy in those with HIV infection.

Transmission of the virus primarily occurs during unprotected sex and by sharing needles used to inject intravenous drugs.

•  Human Papilloma Virus (HPV):

The types of HPVs vary in their ability to cause genital warts, infect other regions of the body, including the mouth and throat, and cause cancers of the cervix, vulva, penis and mouth.

Although no cure exists for HPV infection, once it occurs, regular screening with a pap smear test can prevent or detect most cases of HPV at an early stage.

•  Syphilis:

Syphilis is an STI caused by the treponema pallidum bacterium and subspecies pallidum.

The signs and symptoms of syphilis vary depending in which of the four stages it presents:

• The primary stage classically presents with a single chancre (a firm, painless, non-itchy skin ulceration), but there may be multiple sores.
•  In secondary syphilis a diffuse rash which frequently occurs in the palms of the hands and soles of the feet and there may also be sores in the mouth or vagina.
•  In latent syphilis there are little to no symptoms, which can last for years.
•  In tertiary syphilis there are gummas (soft non-cancerous growths) and neurological or heart symptoms.

Syphilis is most commonly spread through sexual activity.

•  Bacterial vaginosis:

Bacterial vaginosis is an abnormal vaginal condition that is characterised by vaginal discharge and results from an overgrowth of a typical bacteria in the vagina.

Bacterial vaginosis is not dangerous, but it can cause disturbing symptoms like vaginal discharge and vaginal odour.

Treatment options for bacterial vaginosis include prescription oral antibiotics and vaginal gels.

•  Trichomoniasis:

The symptoms are:

•  Vaginal discharge, which usually has an unpleasant smell.
•  Blood spotting.
•  Burning or itching sensation in the genitals.
• Genital redness or swelling.
•  An urge to urinate frequently.
• Pain during urination or sexual intercourse.
•  Viral Hepatitis:

Viral hepatitis is a serious liver disease that can be caused by several different viruses, which can be transmitted through sexual contact.

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) causes a short-term or self-limited liver infection that can be quite serious, although it does not result in chronic infection.

HAV can be spread from one person to another during sexual activity through oral-rectal contact.

Vaccination can prevent HAV infections.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) causes a serious liver disease that can result in both immediate illness and lifelong infection, leading to permanent liver scarring (cirrhosis), cancer, liver failure and death.

HBV spreads through both heterosexual and homosexual contact, as well as through contact with other bodily fluids, such as blood, shared contaminated needles used for injecting intravenous (IV) drugs, tattooing, and piercing.

HBV infection is preventable through vaccination one.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) can cause an immediate illness, affecting the liver, but more commonly becomes a silent, chronic infection that leads to liver scarring (cirrhosis), cancer, liver failure and death.

HCV is most commonly transmitted through sharing needles or exposure to infected blood. However, it can spread through sexual contact.

There is no vaccine for HCV and treatments are not always effective.

You can reduce your chances of exposure to STIs in several ways:

•  Have sexual intercourse with a partner who has been tested for an STI and who has had sexual intercourse with only you.
•  Use a condom at all times when having sexual intercourse.
•  You and your partner can also re-infect one another with an STI if you do not get yourselves tested regularly
•  Always use sterile or new needles and do not share drug-using equipment.