SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTION

 

STI Information

STIs or STDs are infections that are transmitted through close bodily contact or the exchange of body fluids such as semen (cum) blood, mucus or saliva. Sexual contact includes penetrative sex, sucking, touching, fingering or kissing/licking the anus or penis. Below you will find information on STI symptoms so you can recognize them early and get tested.

Get Tested Regularly

Sure, good idea, but when, where and how often? STI symptoms are a good indicator that you need to get tested, but not all STIs have obvious symptoms so a regular STI checkup is a good idea.

The more sex partners you have, the more often you should get tested. At least yearly if you have any casual partners and 3-6 monthly if you have a lot. This reduces the chances of having an undiagnosed STI or STD that can harm your own health as well as increase your risk of picking up or passing on HIV.

Some of the places you can get tested are your Doctor, Social Hygiene Clinics, Public/Private Hospitals and Laboratories.

Here are some common STI's:

Chlamydia

Description

Chlamydia is a bacterial infection that can infect the mucus lining of the penis, anus or eyes.

Transmission

Chlamydia is easily transmitted by anal sex, oral sex , rimming or fingering. Touching an infected area and then touching your own penis or anus can pass on the infection.

Signs and Symptoms

Symptoms may appear between 7 and 21 days after infection, but can be mild or in some cases absent. Symptoms can include a discharge from the penis, pain when urinating or pain during sex. If not treated Chlamydia may decrease fertility.

Testing

Chlamydia can be detected by a swab collected from the anus or by a urine sample. It is preferable not to piss for an hour before giving the sample.

Treatment

Chlamydia is easily cured with antibiotics.

If You’re HIV Positive

If diagnosed early, Chlamydia is easily treatable but if left untreated it can also increase the risk of HIV being passed on.

Prevention

Using condoms is not completely safe for Chlamydia but provides the best protection. Washing your hands with soap and water immediately after sex can also help prevent transmission, especially if having sex with multiple partners.

Gonorrhoea (the clap)

Description

Gonorrhoea is a bacterial infection that lives in the mucus lining of the penis, throat, anus or eyes.

Transmission

It can be transmitted through giving or receiving oral sex, anal sex, and fingering or fisting. Touching an infected person’s penis and anus, and then touching your own penis, anus or eyes can also transmit gonorrhoea.

Signs and Symptoms

If symptoms are present they will usually develop within 2 to 10 days. Many people who have gonorrhoea will show no symptoms, particularly if they have it in the throat or anus. If the infection is in the anus, the symptoms may include a discharge or pain during bowel movements. If it is in the penis, there may be a clear or yellowish discharge from the dick and stinging or pain when pissing.

Testing

Gonorrhoea can be detected by a urethral swab or urine test as well as swabs collected from the anus or throat. It is preferable to hold your bladder for at least one hour prior to having a urine test.

Treatment

Gonorrhoea is cured with antibiotics, however recent strains are becoming increasingly antibiotic resistant. If gonorrhoea is in the anus or throat there will be no symptoms therefore a follow-up test may be required to ensure the antibiotics are effective. Sexual contact should be avoided for at least a week to ensure the infection has cleared after treatment.

If You’re HIV Positive

If diagnosed early, gonorrhoea is easily treatable, but if left untreated it can increase the risk of HIV being passed on.

 

Prevention

Using condoms is not completely safe for gonorrhoea but provides the best protection. Washing your hands with soap and water immediately after sex can also help prevent transmission, especially if having sex with multiple partners.

Hepatitis A, B & C

There are 3 different kinds of Hepatitis each have different symptoms and different treatments.

Hepatitis A

Description

Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis A is a virus which can cause inflammation of the liver.

Transmission

It is transmitted through small quantities of infected stool entering a person’s mouth through activities like anal-play, rimming, and by not washing your hands properly after sex with an infected person. It can also be passed on by using eating and drinking utensils previously used by an infected person. People are infectious for around 3 weeks, starting 2 weeks before they develop symptoms to about a week afterwards.

Signs and Symptoms

Symptoms can include a mild flu-like illness, vomiting, abdominal pain and jaundice.

Testing

Hepatitis A can be detected by a blood test.

Treatment

People with Hepatitis A infection should avoid drugs, alcohol, excessively fatty diets, or anything that may affect the liver. If you suspect that you have Hepatitis A you should see your doctor.

If You’re HIV Positive

While Hepatitis A will not seriously impact upon HIV, it may lead to difficulties with compliance with anti-retroviral medication if there is severe nausea and vomiting.

Prevention

People who get Hepatitis A will recover and develop permanent immunity to the virus.

An effective vaccination against Hepatitis A is available. A combination Hepatitis A & B vaccination is also available. Gamma globulin can also be used to provide immediate protection against Hepatitis A for unimmunised people at high risk of infection. 

Hepatitis B

Description

Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis B is a virus which causes this.

Transmission

It is transmitted by infected blood or semen entering a person’s bloodstream through activities such as unprotected sex, sharing injecting equipment, toothbrushes or razors, oral sex, tattooing or body piercing with unsterile equipment.

Signs and Symptoms

Symptoms, which if they are present will show up 1-6 months after exposure, may include loss of appetite, tiredness, nausea, yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice) and dark urine.

Testing

Hepatitis B can be detected by a blood test.

Treatment

Most people recover from Hepatitis B. Some retain the virus in their body – there are treatments for these people.

If You’re HIV Positive

Co-infection with both HIV and Hepatitis B may lead to more rapid progression of Hepatitis B to liver cancer. Treatment for Hepatitis B may also be less successful and limited by resistance to some antiviral medications that may already have been used for HIV treatment.

Prevention

There is an effective Hepatitis B vaccination. A combination Hepatitis A&B vaccination

is also available. 

Hepatitis C

Description

Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis C (HCV) is a virus that causes serious damage to the liver. For some people this can lead to cirrhosis, or scarring of the liver, and eventually liver failure and death after many years.

Transmission

The virus is spread by blood to blood contact. Most Hepatitis C is transmitted by sharing injecting equipment or other blood contact. Strictly speaking Hep C isn’t considered an STI, however there is now definitive evidence that it is being passed on during sex – and especially during group sex. It can be transmitted when tiny amounts of blood are present on fingers, fists, sex toys or penis which are moved from one anus to the next without being cleaned.

Signs and Symptoms

In the early stages of Hepatitis C, symptoms may be absent and they can take years after the initial infection to show up. If they are present, symptoms may include fatigue, nausea, pain under the ribs, sweating and intolerance of fatty diets.

75% of people infected with Hep C may carry the virus in their blood for life/ 15% of these people may develop cirrhosis of the liver. A small number of people with cirrhosis may develop liver cancer or liver failure.

Testing

Hepatitis C can be detected by a blood test.

Treatment

Maintaining a healthy diet, reducing alcohol intake and cutting down on smoking can improve the body’s ability to cope with Hepatitis C.

If You’re HIV Positive

Co-infection with Hepatitis C and HIV is not uncommon, though many who are co-infected are unaware of it. Co-infection is dangerous because it can speed up the progress of both infections and make both more difficult to treat.

Prevention

People who inject drugs and share equipment are at a high risk of contracting Hepatitis C. Wash hands, penis, sex toys and change condoms and gloves when moving from anus to another during group sex.  

Herpes (HSV)

Description

There are two types of HSV:

Type 1 is usually found around the mouth and is commonly known as a cold sore

Type 2 is usually found around the penis and anus areas and is commonly known as genital herpes

Transmission

Herpes can be passed on both sexually and non-sexually during skin to skin contact, by direct contact with a sore on the mouth, penis and anus, and can also be transmitted where there are no obvious symptoms present.

Signs and Symptoms

Symptoms may not always be present, but can include:

Itching or tingling feeling around the infected area

An outbreak of painful blisters or sores which later form scabs

Flu-like symptoms may be present

Testing

A physical examination of the affected area can detect a herpes outbreak.

Treatment

There is no cure, but there are treatments that can reduce symptoms and speed up recovery. The possibility of repeated outbreaks varies from person to person, but outbreaks may become less frequent and over time may stop all together.

If You’re HIV Positive

Outbreaks of HSV can be more sever and last longer for those with HIV. HIV viral loads can peak during outbreaks and increase transmission risk to partners of both HSV and HIV.

Prevention

Condoms can reduce the risk of transmission.

There is strong evidence that taking anti-HSV medications greatly reduces the risk of passing herpes on to partners.

 

HIV

Description

HIV is the Human Immunodeficiency Virus that causes failure of part of the immune system. The immune system is important because it defends the body from infection and disease. HIV infects and destroys key cells in the body. It particularly targets a cell called CD4 (also known as a T4 cell, or T-helper cell). CD4 cells are an essential component of the immune system which it is important in protecting the body against infection and disease.

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) refers to a range of specific illness that people with HIV may get when their immune system is badly damaged. These illnesses include infections and cancers.

The presence of HIV in the body is not an AIDS diagnosis. Having HIV in your body does not mean you have AIDS. It is possible to have HIV for many years but show no symptoms that define AIDS.

Transmission

HIV is only infectious in blood, semen (pre-cum), vaginal fluids, and breast milk. A person can only become infected with HIV if one of these bodily fluids containing HIV gets into their body and passes into their bloodstream. For gay men, the main ways in which this occurs is through unprotected anal sex (fucking and being fucked without a condom) or sharing injecting equipment during drug use. For HIV positive men the presence of other STIs increases the levels of HIV in semen, and therefore increases the risk of HIV transmission. Similarly, HIV may be present in genital ulcers caused by other STIs at levels high enough for HIV transmission to occur. For HIV negative men having another STI can cause inflammation in the site of infection or ulcers, which increase the chance of picking up HIV.

Signs and Symptoms

HIV seroconversion is the term used to describe the process when someone goes from being HIV negative to being HIV positive. This usually happens within 3 months of infection.

Some people show no signs of HIV infection. Others experience seroconversion illness which can include flu-like symptoms, fever, rashes, a sore throat and swollen glands.  Some people who experience a late diagnosies may go on to develop an AIDS defining illness.  

Testing

The Test for HIV is an antibody test. Antibodies are the immune system’s response to infection. It takes on average 3 months for the body to produce antibodies. So if an antibody test is done during this window period it is likely to show up negative. There’s the Rapid HIV Test (it’s like a Pregnancy Kit Test) wherein with just a drop of your blood and a reagent will reveal your HIV result in 20-30mins. The standard test to detect HIV antibodies in the blood is the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The Result of The Rapid HIV Test and The ELISA Test if reveals a Reactive (Positive) result should be tested again and confirmed by a Western Blot test.

Treatment

There is no vaccine or cure for HIV, but there are numerous HIV treatment options available. Treatment for HIV is currently provided by highly active anti-viral therapy (HAART). These medications attack the virus at different points and stages in its life-cycle. It inhibits the cell replication of the HIV Virus giving your Immune system time also to replicate again.

Prevention

When used correctly condoms are by far the most effective way to prevent HIV being picked up or passed on.

For HIV negative men, giving oral sex is considered low risk. Having cuts or sores in your mouth, having an STI in your throat or having had recent dental work increases the risk. During these times, using a condom, avoiding getting semen in your mouth, or avoiding oral sex altogether will lower the risk.

For HIV positive guys, having an STI will increase the chances of passing on HIV when receiving oral sex (when someone sucks you). Getting tested regularly and not ejaculating on your partner’s mouth will reduce this risk. 

HPV (Warts)

Description

HPV is the virus that can cause warts on the penis, anus or surrounding areas. HPV is very common with more than 75% of sexually active people getting the infection, usually between the ages of 18-25. Only about 10% of people who get HPV infection actually get warts. The rest usually don’t know they have it.

Transmission

Warts are passed on by any skin to skin contact with an infected person.

Signs and Symptoms

Symptoms include small bumpy warts around the penis, scrotum, anus, or discomfort when going to the toilet if the inside of the anus is infected, but they can also be painless. There may be no symptoms at all.

If symptoms are present they will generally appear 2-3 months after being infected, but can take much longer. Outbreaks of warts can then appear periodically.

Testing

A physical examination of the infected area is all that is needed to detect warts.

Treatment

There is currently no cure for genital or anal warts, but a doctor can remove the warts by freezing, burning using laser, or by applying liquid wart-paint or creams. Warts can recur and treatment sometimes requires several visits.

If you’re HIV Positive

Outbreaks of warts can be more severe and harder to treat in HIV positive men. Some types of genital wart virus have been linked to a greater risk of anal cancer. This risk appears even greater for HIV positive men.

Prevention

Condoms can reduce the risk of transmission but do not always cover the infected area. The warts may be present on the scrotum or anal area.

A HPV vaccine is available.

Molloscum Contagiosum

Description

Molloscum Contagiosum (MC) is a virus that causes pimple like lumps on the body

Transmission

MC is transferred by direct skin-to-skin contact with someone who the infection. It can be transmitted through sexual and non-sexual contact.

Signs and Symptoms

If symptoms are present they will usually appear within 2-7 weeks after contact with someone who has the virus.

Testing

It is detected by careful examination of the skin.

Treatment

MC is easily treated by freezing the lumps off the body. Alternatively the core of the lump, which contains the virus, can be extracted with a fine needle. The virus stays in the skin for life.

Prevention

There are no specific means to prevent you picking up MC, however getting treated quickly will reduce the chances of passing it on and will reduce the amount of MC in the community.

Pubic Lice (crabs)

Description

Crabs, or Pubic Lice, are small parasites that grip onto the hair in the genital area.

Transmission

They are  most commonly passed on by close body contact with someone who has crabs.

As crabs and their eggs can survive for some time away from the body, it is also possible to catch them by sharing towels, clothes or someone else’s bed.

Signs and Symptoms

The most common symptom of pubic lice is itching in the pubic hair. Close inspection should reveal tiny lice clinging to the hair. There may also be nits (eggs) attached to the hair shaft. Crabs can also be found in beards, armpits, on chest hair and on the eyelashes.

They usually show up from 3 days to several weeks.

Testing

An external physical examination will show the presence of crabs

Treatment

Crabs are easily cured by using appropriate genital lice shampoos and creams available over the counter at pharmacies. Shaving the pubic area will not get rid of crabs.

All bed-linen, clothes, towels and underwear should be washed in a hot soapy wash. Sexual partners and anyone in close physical contact should also be treated to avoid re-infection.

It is also advisable to repeat the treatment after several days.

Scabies

Description

Scabies are tiny  mites (smaller than crabs) that burrow under the skin to lay eggs.

Transmission

Scabies are passed on through skin-to-skin contact, both sexual and non-sexual.

Signs and Symptoms

Symptoms are usually noticed within four weeks.

The most common symptom is intense itching which is caused when the mites burrow under the skin. The burrowing causes fine red marks on the skin. The mites like warm areas of skin, such as the groin or armpits. They are also found in the spaces between the fingers and toes. Itching is usually worse while warm, like when in bed.

Testing

Scabies are detected by examining itchy area under a bright light.

Treatment

Scabies are cured by using the appropriate scabies lotions available at pharmacies. All bed linen, towels, and underwear that has come in contact with the infected area should be washed in a hot soapy wash. Sexual partners and anyone in close physical contact should also be treated to avoid reinfection. It is also advisable to repeat the treatment after 7 to 10 days.

If You’re HIV Positive

Severe immunosuppression can lead to difficulty eradicating scabies but otherwise people with HIV are not affected differently to others.

Prevention

There are no specific means to prevent you picking up scabies, however getting them treated quickly will reduce the risk of transmission to others and will lessen the among of scabies in the community.

Syphilis

Description

Syphilis is a bacterial infection that infects the penis,  throat or anus and then spreads to different parts of the body through the bloodstream. If left untreated syphilis can cause damage to the nerves, bones, skin, eyes and brain.

Transmission

Syphilis is usually caught by touching sores and rashes of someone with the infection during sex and including giving or receiving oral sex, or anal play. Someone can pass on syphilis for up to two years after they become infected – even if they have no symptoms. When there are no symptoms, the infection can be passed on through contact with infected body fluids like semen.

Signs and Symptoms

Some people never develop symptoms and in others it’s easy for the early symptoms to go unnoticed. Syphilis has infectious and non-infectious stages.

Infectious Stage: Syphilis can produce a painless sore on the peins, in the anus or in the mouth 10 – 90 days after infection. The sore usually turns into a scab and heals after two to six weeks but the infection remains. Only areas covered by condoms, gloves or dental dams are protected from infection.

7 to 10 weeks after infection some people develop a rash on the torso (body), hands or feet. Symptoms may also include fever, swollen lymph glands, sore throat, patchy hair loss, headaches, muscle aches, and fatigue. The symptoms lay last up to a few months and then disappear.

Non-infectious Syphilis: If left untreated, syphilis remains in the body. It stops being infectious to sexual partners after about 2 years. During the non-infectious stage syphilis may begin to damage the body’s internal organs, which may include the brain, nerves, eyes, heart, liver, heart bones, joints and blood vessels. In some people this damage may not show up for many years. Damage to the internal organs can occur after 10 -25 years and may be serious enough to cause death.

Testing

If a sore (called a chancre) is present, a swab can be used to test, however the usual test for syphilis is a blood test. It can take up to  3 months after exposure for the infection to show up in the blood test. Once someone has been infected with syphilis most future blood tests will show up as positive – even if they have been successfully treated. A particular test is used to identify a new infection – as well as to see if treatment has worked.

Treatment

Syphilis is treated with injections of antibiotics. The duration of treatment depends on the stage of the infection and ranges from between 1 and 30 days. Treatment is often provided if you have had contact with someone who has had syphilis to prevent it developing in you.

If You’re HIV Positive

Syphilis is harder to detect and harder to treat in people with HIV. It is a serious infection that can be mistaken for other infections found in people living with HIV. While the symptoms of syphilis are usually similar, some HIV positive men develop severe organ and nerve damage much more rapidly than HIV negative men. For some syphilis can decrease the CD4 count (therefore causing damage to the immune system) as well as increase the viral load.

Having syphilis increases the risk of HIV transmission.

Prevention

Avoid contact with any sores or rashes. Safe sex, for HIV, is not completely safe for syphilis, but provides the best protection.

Thrush (Candidiasis)

Description Thrush (also known as Candidiasis) is an infection caused by a yeast called Candida Albicans.

Transmission

It is normal to have small amounts of this yeast in the genital area, but a range of factors can cause the yeast to overgrow. These factors can include recent antibiotics, soaps and detergents, and tight clothing that promotes excessive sweating.

Signs and Symptoms

Thrush can appear in the mouth, or on your dick and sometimes in your anus. It is not an STI but it is something related to sex.

Symptoms include redness, rash or itching on the part of the body infected. Thrush is more likely to occur if you are HIV positive.

Testing

Thrush is diagnosed by a simple genital examination, but can be confirmed by a swab collected from the infected area.

Treatment

Thrush is treated with anti-fungal creams or tablets.

If You’re HIV Positive

Thrush on the penis, scrotum, anus and throat are more common and more severe for people with HIV. Some oral anti-fungal treatments can interact badly with HIV meds, so always check with your HIV doctor before taking them.

Prevention

To avoid recurrences uncircumcised men should wash (with water only) and dry under their foreskin daily. It may also help to wear light cotton underwear and avoid tight restrictive clothing.

IF YOU FEEL ANYTHING STRANGE THAT IS HAPPENING TO YOUR BODY PLEASE DO CONSULT A DOCTOR, NOT THE INTERNET.




Again, this is JaKePositive. BE SAFE! +)




 SOURCE: http://www.getiton.co.nz/sti-info/