There are more than 30 sexually transmitted diseases that are induced by bacteria, viruses, fungi or unicellular organisms. Syphilis, gonorrhoea, ulcus molle (chancroid) and lymphogranuloma, are embedded in the Austrian law for sexually transmitted infections and are called the “classical” venereal diseases. Other such infections are for example HIV, trichomoniasis vaginalis, chlamydia, human papillomavirus (HPV), herpes genitalis and scabies. Sexually transmitted infections that affect other organs include hepatitis A, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and cytomegalovirus infection.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), every day one million people are newly infected with on the four following sexually transmitted infections: chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis or trichomoniasis vaginalis.
The infections often occur with either few, nonspecific or no symptoms at all. As a result, they often remain undetected for long periods of time and can thus be transmitted unknowingly through (unprotected) sexual contact. The use of safer sex tools can reduce the risk of transmission for most sexually transmitted infections.
The indicated information cannot replace neither an examination from a medical professional nor an appropriate treatment.
Trichomoniasis is the most common sexually transmitted disease worldwide and caused by a single-celled parasite. The trichomonads are transmitted from person to person to the genitalia and the lower urinary tract as well as in the prostate and seminal vesicles. They can be the reason for itching, burning urination, or pain during sex. A typical symptom is a yellowish-greenish outflow, which smells very unpleasant. Often, however, no symptoms occur at all. If left untreated, there is a risk of infertility. Antibiotics are used for the treatment of trichomoniasis.
Using internal and external condoms prevents a transmission.
Chlamydia is one of the most common STIs worldwide. This bacterial infection can cause an inflammation of the eyes, vagina or penis, and can lead to an infection of the fallopian tubes, which may result in a higher risk of extrauterine pregnancies or infertility. Signs of an infection include itching, pain and burning while urinating, as well as vaginal discharge.
Nevertheless, chlamydia usually has no symptoms. Most people don’t know they have it and don’t get treatment. An infection with chlamydia is easily cured with antibiotics
Chlamydia can be transmitted during unprotected oral, anal and genital intercourse.
Using internal and external condoms prevents a transmission.
Gonorrhea or the clap is a bacterial infection and can infect the genitals, mouth, rectum, and eyes. It is the second most common STI worldwide. Symptoms can be pain or burning with urination, discharge from the penis or vagina, testicular or pelvic pain, and vaginal bleeding. Infections of the throat and the rectum are most of the time symptomless. Most people who contract gonorrhea are asymptomatic, but left untreated gonorrhea can lead to infertility or pelvic inflammatory disease.
Gonorrhea is treated with a combination of antibiotics but grows more and more resistance to antibiotics which makes it much harder and sometimes impossible to treat.
Using internal and external condoms prevents a transmission.
The human papillomavirus (HPV) can cause warts (papillomas) on or around the genitals and anus as well as cervical cancer and other anogenital cancers. HPV can also be responsible for warts and cancer in the mouth and throat region.
Approximately 60-80% of humans come in contact with the virus at least once in their lifetime, most of them through sexual contact. In 95% of the cases, there are no symptoms present, the human immune system usually eliminates the virus after a few months.
A vaccination is available that protects against the most common types of viruses. Condoms as well as femidoms only partially protect against HPV, because skin-to-skin transmission is still possible.
The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) can be transmitted through semen, vaginal secretions, and blood as well as from mother to child during pregnancy, delivery or breastfeeding. HIV triggers attacks and destroys the infection-fighting cells of the immune system. In the acute phase of an infection unspecified symptoms are prevalent which are reminiscent of a flu infection (fever, headache, tiredness). HIV is not curable yet, but medicable. If HIV is left untreated it can lead to the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), which is the most advanced stage of a HIV-infection. Because of the shattered immune system diseases occur which don’t normally occur in people with a healthy immune system. These diseases can be fatale.
U = U (undetectable = untransmittable): If the viral load in the blood of an HIV-positive person is below the detection limit, this person cannot transmit the HI-Virus and is therefore not infectious.
PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis): PrEP is a pill which is recommended for situations with a higher infection risks such as having a HIV-positive partner. Most of the times PrEP is taken once a day over a long period of time and prevents a HIV-transmission.
PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis): If an unprotected vaginal or anal intercourse with a HIV-positive person has occurred (such as a ruptured condom), a HIV medication regimen can be started for up to 72 hours later (but the sooner the better) to prevent an HIV-infection.
Using internal and external condoms prevents a transmission.
Syphilis is a bacterial infection that is transmitted almost exclusively via sexual intercourse. The incubation period is two to up to ten weeks. On average, after about three weeks, a small nodule forms at the point of entry of the bacteria, which evolves into a painless ulcer (primary effect) and the lymph nodes swell up. These symptoms usually resolve by themselves. Nine to twelve weeks after the infection, general symptoms such as severe headaches, skin rashes, fever, weight loss, and a marked malaise occur. If the syphilis remains untreated ulcers develop in the whole body in the last phase after years. The organs, skin and nervous system can be damaged, deformations of the skin and painful changes in the nerves may occur. Syphilis can be easily treated with antibiotics at the beginning of the infection.
Using internal and external condoms during vaginal or anal sex as well as oral sex drastically lowers the risk of a syphilis infection.
