Warning !! Love is blind, but keep an eye out for STIs!
June 2, 2021
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We are dedicating this month of February to ophthalmology ! However, love is blind, and we surely can’t take our eyes off of that special person on this February 14, made famous by a certain St.Valentine. Much less glamorous, however, are the medical issues that can come with love, especially sexually transmitted infections. Syphilis, gonorrhea, hepatitis, HIV, chlamydia, so many names that can have you shuddering, or on the other hand, leave you totally indifferent. Although neither panic nor indifference can help, a minimum of understanding and above all precaution is necessary if you are to protect yourself, and those you love.
Across the world today, a sexually transmitted infection (STI) is transmitted to over a million people every single day. The sneakiest thing about STIs is that the majority of them have no symptoms, or mild symptoms that we might not actually link to an STI. In Mauritius, according to the 2019 health statistics report from the Ministry of Health, new cases of STIs were mainly about human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), syphilis, gonorrhea, genital warts, and herpes.
Transmission
As the name suggests, sexually transmitted infections can be acquired during unprotected sex (vaginal, oral or anal) with someone who has an STI. Some STIs can also be acquired through blood transfusions, or from mother to child before, during or after childbirth.
Symptoms
The most common symptoms of an STI include discharge from the vagina or penis, painful urination, genital ulcers and abdominal pain. However, one can have an STI without any noticeable symptoms, or without symptoms appearing for several years. Thus, not seeing any abnormality in or around the genitals doesn’t necessarily mean one is STI-free.
Am I at risk?
Generally speaking, if you have had unprotected sex, there is a risk of STI transmission. In addition, if a person has no symptoms, but has a sexual partner who has contracted or is showing symptoms of an STI, they are strongly advised to seek medical advice as well. It should be noted that females are disproportionately affected by STIs as compared to males. In addition, in females, STIs are less visible because they often come without symptoms.
Impact on health
The fact that there is a cure for many STIs should not be a reason to lower our guard, or neglect our sexual health. It should also be remembered that STIs can cause sterility (chlamydia or gonorrhea), can cause cervical cancer (the human papillomavirus, or HPV), or cause neonatal death, or stillbirths (syphilis) among others.
Prevention of STIs
The greatest danger of STIs remains a lack of public knowledge on this subject. In addition, the stigma associated with STIs is a factor that hinders access to medical care. It is thus important to learn about it and talk about it with others, especially as a couple, and with your adolescents as well. Above all, feel free to consult a health professional if in doubt. It is to be noted that the systematic use of a condom with each intercourse is an effective way to protect yourself from STIs. Let’s not forget to mention that being faithful, when it goes both ways within the couple, is the best way to protect yourself, as long as neither of the 2 people already has an STI.
Treatments
Some STIs, (including chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and trichomoniasis) can be treated with antibiotics. As for HIV and herpes, they can be treated with anti-virals, although these treatments cannot cure the disease, but slow down or halt its progression. It should be noted that some STIs (gonorrhea in particular) have grown resistant to antibiotics, which complicates their treatment, hence the importance of protecting yourself, getting tested and getting treated quickly in case of transmission. As for vaccines, there are currently effective preventive vaccines against hepatitis B and HPV infection, but conditions apply.
But let’s get back to celebrating love! Isn’t that a proof of one’s love to be in good health, especially to enjoy good sexual health, in order to protect the one we love? If you think you are at risk, do not turn a blind eye on it, but call Bon Pasteur clinic at 401-9500. You can meet your doctor, alone or as a couple. For your health, that of your partner and your family. In short, for those you love!