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accessHealthNews.net
March 2022
Volume 8 | Issue No. 55
E
very day, more than one million sexually transmitted
infections (STIs) are acquired globally. Majority
of these are asymptomatic, meaning there are no
symptoms and people may not be aware they have
an STI. In the U.S. alone, nearly 20 million people get STIs
annually, with half of all infections occurring among
young people ages 15-24.
STIs have a direct impact on sexual and reproductive
health and are on the rise due to a lack of public aware-
ness and stigma-free support. Though infections such as
syphilis and HIV have historically been more common
among gay and bisexual men, the number of new diag-
noses is now higher among heterosexual people. The em-
phasis on treating these infections among gay and bisex-
ual groups led to a neglectful approach to educating the
whole public, leaving many misinformed and assuming
they are at low or no risk.
Sex education also heavily focuses on abstinence as a
means of STI prevention – an approach that often proves
useless as adolescents are engaging in sexual activity
and drug experimentation long before they learn the risks
and potentially lifelong complications. Offering more hon-
est and realistic prevention tactics while simultaneously
destigmatizing sex and sexual health can help control the
spread of STIs and prevent them from becoming sexually
transmitted diseases (STDs).
WHAT ARE STIS?
Though STI and STD are sometimes used interchangeably,
there is a distinct difference: an STI is an infection caused
by a bacteria, virus, or parasite, and is only considered a
disease when it causes symptoms. As many STIs are as-
ymptomatic, they are not yet STDs. Infections are more
so the first step on the road to disease, and most can be
treated before becoming a disease.
Understanding the difference and using STI and STD ap-
propriately also helps weaken the stigma against STIs. "Dis-
ease" suggests a medical problem with obvious symptoms
and carries a negative connotation. Because STIs are es-
pecially common in adolescents and young adults, ac-
curately teaching and describing them as infections can
help make it more comfortable for people to discuss with
their partners and health care providers.
Though there are more than 20 types of STDs, there are
eight main STIs. Four STIs are currently curable with medi-
cation: syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia and trichomoniasis.
The other four STIs are viral infections and are incurable, in-
cluding hepatitis B, herpes simplex virus (herpes), HIV and
human papillomavirus (HPV).
While some STIs may not be curable, such as herpes and
HIV, medicine can be prescribed to treat and manage
symptoms. Curable STIs are treated with medication but
can be dangerous and become STDs if untreated or not
treated properly. Untreated STIs and STDs can make it im-
possible for people to get pregnant and can also increase
the risk of getting HIV. If left untreated, HIV and other STDs
can be fatal.
TRANSMISSION AND SYMPTOMS
STIs are primarily spread through sexual contact but can
also be spread using intravenous drugs. Symptoms vary
between STIs and can affect different parts of the body
depending on the type of sexual activity and contact.
Though most public education focuses on vaginal, oral,
and anal sex, STIs such as syphilis and herpes can also
be spread through hand jobs / hand sex, dry humping,
rimming, and other forms of sexual contact that do not
include penetration. Because penetration is not the only
way to acquire an STI, women who have sex with other
women are still at risk just as much as heterosexual part-
ners and men who have sex with men.
"STIs are primarily spread through sexual contact but can also be spread
using intravenous drugs. Symptoms vary between STIs and can affect different
parts of the body depending on the type of sexual activity and contact."
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