– What are sexually transmitted diseases STD or sexually transmitted infection STI ?

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), or sexually transmitted infections (STIs), are infections that are transferred from one person to another through sexual contact (usually spread during vaginal, oral, or anal sex)

 

Are they same or what’s their difference ?

  • The name

according to its name STI refers to infection whereas STD to Disease

  • The process:

Sexually transmitted diseases begin as STI. STI occurs when the bacteria or virus first enter inside the body and begin to multiply .when the bacteria or virus progress inside the body and begin to disrupt the body’s normal function and process its a STD . Therefore STD is the later stage of STI

  • Symptoms :

Most STI carriers may not show signs of being infected but an STD carrier always. presents with symptoms.

  • Treatment :

STI are usually Treatable if caught on time where as STD’s can be chronic and non treatable sometimes .

 

                     COMMON STDs/STIs AMONGST LGBTQ COMMUNITY

  1. Hepatitis, A,B and C
  2. Syphilis
  3. Human immune virus – HIV
  4. Herpes simplex virus -HSV
  5. Scabies
  6. Venereal wart
  7. Urethritis
  8. Gonorrhea
  9. Pediculosis
  10. Human papilloma virus -HPV
  11. Chlamydia
  12. Lymphogranuloma venerum – LGV

 

                    MODE OF CONTACTING STI/STD

  • sexually contact (unprotected )with an already infected person

    Sexual contact include oral , Anal, vagina, genital skin to skin contact .

    Condoms can be effective for some but HSV and HPV can be spread by contacts with

    area around the genitals which are not protected by the condom

 

  • STD can be gotten through body fluid (semen /cum) e.g Gonorrhea, chlamydia, HIV ,hepatitis B . HIV and Hepatitis B can also be gotten through contamination from contact with blood of an infected person.

 

                     SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF STIs / STDs:

  • Note that most STI have no signs or symptoms (asymptomatic)so you could be infected and not know it , therefore getting tested is the best way to know your status.
  • Some infection make it easy for you to get others  (a predisposing factor )e.g. someone with herpes could get HIV easier as well as some with gonorrhea.
  • Signs and symptoms varies for differences diseases (this will be discussing next when we discuss the various STI/Ds).

 

WHEN TO GET TESTED(FREQUENCY)

  • HIV- at least 2 to 4 times yearly (every 3 to 6 months ).
  • Syphilis and Hepatitis B – at least twice yearly
  • Hepatitis C- if your partner is infected, or you were born between 1945 through 1965. Atleast once yearly
  • Chlamydia and gonorrhea – if you have had your penis inserted into the anus  of your partner (being the top) or if you receive oral sex (mouth job ).
  • Gonorrhea (throat) – if you have given oral sex (mouth job) or vagina and anal sex . Herpes (mouth) – if you have more than one sex partner .

 

                         PREVENTING STDs /STIs

Sexually active persons are always at risks ,however ,you can do many things to get protected

  • Get vaccinated: you can get vaccinated for hepatitis A and B and HPV(for men up to age 26.)
  • Practice safe sex ( use condoms correctly) Get tested regularly
  • Be careful of alcohol,smoking and drugs as the use of this can alter your decision making when planning to have sex e.g forgetting to wear condom because you are intoxicated.
  • Limit the number of your sex partners.

 

 

     Written by:

              TaniaOris