Consultants

Dermatology

Type of STI

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)

HPV infection is the most common STD in the world.

 

These types of virus, are classified as low risk, or high risk, and are acquired through sexual contact with an affected partner. Low risk HP viruses cause anogenital warts; high risk, in contrast, can result in the development of cervical, vulval, vaginal or anal cancer in women, and anal or penile cancer in men.

 

Although there is currently no cure, there are two vaccines marketed against HIV: bivalent and quadrivalent. Both are highly effective in preventing infection in virus types 16 and 18, which are the cause of approximately 70% of cervical cancers. Experts confirm that the correct use of latex condoms does not eliminate, but does reduce enormously, the risk of contracting and spreading HPV, as well as all other STDs.

HIV – AIDS

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), is a retrovirus which attacks and weakens the immune system. As a result, the body becomes very vulnerable to infection and disease. This virus is the cause of AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) and has claimed the life of more than 40 million people throughout time.

 

In contrast to what may be believed, HIV is not transmitted through air or saliva. The most common methods of spread are through unprotected sex or by the sharing of needles or syringes containing contaminated blood. Other methods of transmission are from mother to child during pregnancy, birth and breast feeding.

 

The time which often passes between HIV infection and diagnosis of AIDS can vary between 10 and 15 years (sometimes more). Although currently there is no cure, retroviral treatment, already available, can slow down progression as it prevents the virus from multiplying. These drugs also help to reduce the viral load, in other words, the amount of virus present in blood of the infected person.

Syphilis

Caused by a bacteria, Treponema pallidum, it infects the genital area, the lips, the mouth or the anus and affects men and women alike. Generally, it is spread through sexual contact with those who have it, although it can also be transferred from mother to baby during pregnancy. The current incidence of syphilis has increased alarmingly in the last few years, especially in men who have sex with other men (MSM).

 

Syphilis may manifest initially as a single, small, non-painful sore or ulcer. Syphilis can facilitate the acquisition of HIV.

 

Occasionally it causes inflammation of nearby lymph nodes and a rash on the hands and feet, but the symptoms are not obvious, or particularly painful, and for this reason many people do not notice symptoms for years. During pregnancy, syphilis can cause congenital birth defects or miscarriage. Generally, if detected on time, it can be easily treated with antibiotics.

Chlamydiasis

Chlamydiasis, caused by the Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria, is one of the most common, bacterial, sexually transmitted diseases in the world, affecting both men and women. In the majority of cases, it doesn’t cause symptoms. However, when men have it, they often need to urinate urgently and have a burning sensation when they do, they may have a penile discharge and painful testicles.

 

In women, vaginal discharge may be thick and yellow, they often feel burning when passing urine and have pain during sex; they may also have urethral secretions or bleeding between menstruation.

 

Generally, it can be treated with an effective antibiotic regime. If not treated in time, in women it can cause damage of the reproductive organs and difficulties in conceiving. In men it can cause pain and pyrexia, and in serious cases, infertility.

Gonorrhoea

This infection is very common amongst young adults. The bacteria responsible for gonorrhoea is Neisseria gonorrhoeae or gonococcus which can infect the genital tract, mouth or anus. Like syphilis, it is contracted through vaginal, oral or anal sex with an infected partner, or from mother to child during pregnancy or childbirth.

 

In women, the first symptoms are mild or there may even be no symptoms at all. How can it be identified? As time goes by, it can cause bleeding between periods, pain on passing urine and an increase in vaginal discharge. If not treated on time, it can give rise to pelvic inflammatory disease which causes problems in pregnancy and infertility.

 

In men, it can cause pain on urination and a penile discharge, it causes problems in the prostate and testicles if left untreated. Specialists have warned that treatment is becoming more difficult due to the increase in strains which are resistant to antibiotics.

Trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis is caused by a parasite. The majority of people affected do not show symptoms, and when they do, they appear between 5 and 28 days after the infection was generated. Symptoms in women include green or yellow vaginal discharge, discomfort during sex, vaginal odour, pain on urination or itching inside the vagina.

 

However, men rarely suffer symptoms. If they do, they may have whitish penile discharge or difficulties with passing urine or ejaculation. As with chlamydiasis, gonorrhoea and syphilis, this disease is treated with antibiotics, which both the infected person and their partner will need to take.

Hepatitis B and C

Hepatitis B is a potentially fatal liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). It is transmitted through a person’s blood or other body fluids. It is categorised as one of the world’s greatest health problems. According to the WHO, in 2015, almost 900,000 people died as a result of this disease and its complications.

 

The virus can survive for 7 days outside the body, its average incubation period is 75 days.

 

Symptoms include yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice), dark urine, extreme fatigue, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. Those with acute hepatitis may develop acute liver failure which can be fatal.

 

Nowadays Hepatitis B is preventable, with a vaccine available.

 

Hepatitis C is mainly spread by exposure to blood containing the hepatitis C virus, it can also be acquired through sex.

Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV)

As explained by the WHO, there are two types of herpes simplex virus: type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2). It is estimated that there are 3700 million people under the age of 50 infected by HSV-1 and 417 million between the age of 15 and 49 who suffer from HSV-2.

 

The former is transmitted from mouth to mouth, or, mouth to genital contact (which can cause genital herpes). HSV-1 infection, acquired mainly during childhood, is highly contagious, common and endemic throughout the world. Genital herpes caused by HSV-1 virus is becoming more and more common through oral sex.

 

On the other hand, HSV-2 is acquired sexually and causes genital herpes. Both cause lifelong infection. Antiviral medication, such as acyclovir, famciclovir and valacyclovir, are most effective for those infected with HSV, however, although they can reduce the intensity and frequency of symptoms, they do not cure the infection.