How Common Are STIs?

Discussion Of the 30 different microbes which can be transmitted by sexual contact, 8 have the greatest incidence of transmitting disease. Four are curable (Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis and Trichomoniasis) and 4 are incurable at present (Hepatitis B, Herpes simplex virus (HSV), Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Human papillomavirus (HPV)). Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are important as they can cause: Increased rates of acquisition of other STIs (ie HSV and syphilis increase the rate of HIV infection acquisition) Pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility Stillbirth and neonatal death Neonatal morbidity including low-birth weight, prematurity, conjunctivitis, pneumonia, sepsis, and congenital abnormalities Genital cancer In high-income countries diagnosis usually includes laboratory testing and then treatment. Short-course antibiotic treatment for curable infections is effective. In low- and middle-income countries laboratory testing is often cost prohibitive and the diagnosis is made by syndromic management using symptoms and guidelines to direct care. Syndromic management is good as patients can be treated the same day, but the majority of STIs are not detected because patients are asymptomatic. Preventative vaccines for Hepatitis B and HPV have and are showing high prevention rates. Other vaccines are also being developed. Other interventions show that male circumcision decreases the risk of heterosexually transmitted HIV infection and may provide some ...
Source: PediatricEducation.org - Category: Pediatrics Authors: Tags: Uncategorized Source Type: news