Microbicide & STD

What Does Everyone Need to Know About STDs?

Sexually transmitted infections (STI), also previously referred to as sexually transmitted diseases (STD) and venereal diseases (VD), are illnesses that have a significant probability of transmission between humans by means of human sexual behavior, including vaginal intercourse, oral sex, and anal sex. While in the past, these illnesses have mostly been referred to as STDs or VD, in recent years the term sexually transmitted infections (STIs) has been preferred, as it has a broader range of meaning; a person may be infected, and may potentially infect others, without having a disease. Some STIs can also be transmitted via the use of IV drug needles after its use by an infected person, as well as through childbirth or breastfeeding. Sexually transmitted infections have been well known for hundreds of years.

Everyone, young or old, rich or poor, sexually active or not, needs to know a few important facts about sexually transmitted diseases. It’s particularly important that, if we are parents, we spend time throughout our children’s lives discussing these issues in an age-appropriate manner. The more educated our children and teens are about the facts about sexually transmitted diseases, the better the chance is that if they do decide to have sex they will know how to protect themselves from sexually transmitted diseases and infections, as well as HIV the virus that causes AIDS, and unplanned pregnancy.

Sexually transmitted diseases do not discriminate. You can be any age, race, religion, financially secure or insecure, any education level and hold any job from blue collar to CEO. The point is anyone who participates in sexual activity is at risk of contracting a sexually transmitted disease or infection.

It may not surprise you to know that the majority – two-thirds – of all sexually transmitted diseases occur in teenagers and young adults under the age of twenty-five years old. Even with all the education and resources available today, sadly, the number of cases of STDs continues to rise.

Some ways to reduce the chance of having sexual contact with a member of the infected pool, and thus of becoming part of that pool include:

- Stop having sex until you see a doctor and are treated.
- Follow your doctor's instructions for treatment.
- Use condoms and/or microbicide whenever you have sex, especially with new partners.
- Don't resume having sex unless your doctor says it's OK.
- Return to your doctor to get rechecked.
- Be sure your sex partner or partners also are treated.

For women the signs and symptoms of STDSs are sometimes difficult to recognize simply because oftentimes there are no obvious symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases in women. Another reason is misdiagnosis because the signs of STDS are easily confused with other reproductive health problems and the proper treatment may not be prescribed. This makes is urgent that you are honest with your health care provider about your current and prior sexual history.

Unfortunately, women also are more at risk of getting STDs than men and young women are at even greater risk. This is due to vaginal friction that occurs during sexual intercourse that may cause small rips or tears in the vaginal walls and make women more susceptible to possible sexually transmitted diseases, infections, or HIV/AIDS.

Just because you do not have any sign of STDs is no reason to forget to practice safe sex! Remember, either you or your partner may be infected with a sexually transmitted disease or infection and be unaware of the fact – this is how STDs continue being transmitted over and over again. Always follow the three rules above for the safest sexual experience possible.
(Adapted from the NWHIC)

STI tests may test for a single infection, or consist of a number of individual tests for any of a wide range of STIs, including tests for syphilis, trichomonas, gonorrhea, chlamydia, herpes, hepatitis and HIV tests. No procedure tests for all infectious agents.

STI tests may be used for a number of reasons:
- as a diagnostic test to determine the cause of symptoms or illness
- as a screening test to detect asymptomatic or presymptomatic infections
- as a check that prospective sexual partners are free of disease before they engage in sex without safer sex precautions (for example, when starting a long term mutually monogamous sexual relationship, in fluid bonding, or for procreation).
- as a check prior to or during pregnancy, to prevent harm to the baby
- as a check after birth, to check that the baby has not caught an STI from the mother
- to prevent the use of infected donated blood or organs
- as part of the process of contact tracing from a known infected individual
- as part of mass epidemiological surveillance

Not all STIs are symptomatic, and symptoms may not appear immediately after infection. In some instances a disease can be carried with no symptoms, which leaves a greater risk of passing the disease on to others. Depending on the disease, some untreated STIs can lead to infertility, chronic pain or even death. Early identification and treatment results in less chance to spread disease, and for some conditions may improve the outcomes of treatment.

There is often a window period after initial infection during which an STI test will be negative. During this period the infection may be transmissible. The duration of this period varies depending on the infection and the test.