Eight Preventive Measures To Sexual Transmitted Diseases (Stds).
Health IS Wealth, let’s keep our self clean and safe and make sure our surroundings are safe.
Sexual transmitted diseases (STDs) are contracted through sexual intercourse, the viruses, bacterias and parasites that causes sexual transmitted diseases might pass from the person affected to another through blood, virginal or semen and other Fluid materials in the body. They are communicable diseases and they can also be refer to as "Sexual transmitted infections (STIs)".
Sometimes these infections can be transmitted nonsexually, such as from mothers to their infants during pregnancy or childbirth, or through blood transfusions or shared needles.
STIs don’t always show symptoms. It’s possible to contract sexually transmitted infections from people who seem perfectly healthy and may not even know they have an infection. Below are the Causes of Sexual transmitted diseases or Sexual transmitted infections.
- Bacteria. Gonorrhea, syphilis and chlamydia are examples of STIs that are caused by bacteria.
- Parasites. Trichomoniasis is an STIs caused by a parasite.
- Viruses. STIs causes by viruses include HPV, genital herpes and HIV.
The following are "risk actions" that might cause STDs or STIs either through sexual intercourse or not.
- Having unprotected sex. Vaginal or anal penetration by an infected partner who isn’t wearing a latex condom significantly increases the risk of getting an STIs. Improper or inconsistent use of condoms can also increase risk.
- Oral sex may be less risky, but infections can still be transmitted without a latex condom or a dental dam a thin, square piece of rubber made with latex or silicone.
- Having sexual contact with multiple partners. The more people you have sexual contact with, the greater your risk.
- Having a history of STIs. Having one STImakes it much easier for another STI to take hold.
- Being forced to engage in sexual activity. Dealing with rape or assault is difficult, but it’s important to see a doctor as soon as possible to receive screening, treatment and emotional support.
- Misuse of alcohol or use of recreational drugs. Substance misuse can inhibit your judgment, making you more willing to participate in risky behaviors.
- Injecting drugs. Needle sharing spreads many serious infections, including HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C.
- Transmission from mothers to infant. such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, HIV and syphilis can be passed from mothers to their infants during pregnancy or delivery. STIs in infants can cause serious problems or even death. All pregnant women should be screened for these infections and treated.
STDs or STIs can have a range of signs and symptoms, including no symptoms. That’s why they may go unnoticed until complications occur or a partner is diagnosed.
Symptoms that might indicate an STI include:
- Sores or bumps on the genitals or in the oral or rectal area.
- Painful or burning urination.
- Discharge from the penis.
- Unusual or odorous vaginal discharge.
- Unusual vaginal bleeding.
- Pain during sex.
- Sore, swollen lymph nodes, particularly in the groin but sometimes more widespread.
- Lower abdominal pain.
- Fever.
- Rash over the trunk, hands or feet.
The above will lead us to the preventive measures, factors and areas that we can adhere to in order to be free from Sexual transmitted diseases or sexual transmitted infections.
“Preventive Measures”.
#1. Abstain.
The most effective way to avoid STIs is to not have (abstain from) sex. Most importantly, pre-matured sexual relationships.
#2. Stay with one uninfected partner.
Another reliable way of avoiding STIs is to stay in a long term relationship in which both people have sex only with each other and neither partner is infected.
#3. Wait and test.
Avoid vaginal and anal intercourse with new partners until you have both been tested for STIs. Oral sex is less risky, but use a latex condom or dental dam to prevent skin-to-skin contact between the oral and genital mucous membranes.
#4. Get vaccinated.
Getting vaccinated early, before sexual exposure, is also effective in preventing certain types of STIs. Vaccines are available to prevent human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis A and hepatitis B.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the HPV vaccine for girls and boys ages 11 and 12, although it can be given as early as age 9. If not fully vaccinated at ages 11 and 12, the CDC recommends getting the vaccine through age 26.
The hepatitis B vaccine is usually given to newborns, and the hepatitis A vaccine is recommended for 1-year-olds. Both vaccines are recommended for people who aren’t already immune to these diseases and for those who are at increased risk of infection, such as men who have sex with men and IV drug users.
#5. Use condoms and dental dams consistently and correctly.
Use a new latex condom or dental dam for each sex act, whether oral, vaginal or anal. Never use an oil-based lubricant, such as petroleum jelly, with a latex condom or dental dam.
Condoms made from natural membranes are not recommended because they’re not effective at preventing STIs. Also, keep in mind that while latex condoms reduce your risk of exposure to most STIs, they provide less protection for STIs involving exposed genital sores, such as HPV or herpes.
Also, nonbarrier forms of contraception, such as birth control pills or intrauterine devices (IUDs), don’t protect against STIs.
#6. Don’t drink alcohol excessively or use drugs.
If you’re under the influence, you’re more likely to take sexual risks.
#7. Communicate.
Before any serious sexual contact, communicate with your partner about practicing safer sex. Be sure you specifically agree on what activities will and won’t be OK.
Consider male circumcision. For men, there’s evidence that circumcision can help reduce the risk of acquiring HIV from a woman with HIV by as much as 60%. Male circumcision may also help prevent transmission of genital HPV and genital herpes an additive measure to prevent STDs and STIs.
#8. Consider using preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP).
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of two combination drugs to reduce the risk of HIV infection in people who are at very high risk. They’re emtricitabine plus tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (Truvada) and emtricitabine plus tenofovir alafenamide fumarate (Descovy).
Your doctor will prescribe these drugs for HIV prevention only if you don’t already have HIV. You will need an HIV test before you start taking PrEP and then every three months as long as you’re taking it.
Your doctor will also test your kidney function before prescribing Truvada and continue to test it every six months. If you have hepatitis B, you should be evaluated by an infectious disease or liver specialist before beginning therapy.
These drugs must be taken every day, exactly as prescribed. If you use Truvada daily, you can lower your risk of getting HIV from sex by about 99% and from injection drug use by more than 74% percent, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Research suggests that Descovy is similarly effective in reducing the risk of getting HIV from sex. However, Descovy hasn’t been studied in people who have receptive vaginal sex. Using additional prevention, such as condoms, can lower your risk even more and prevent other STIs.
“NOTE”.
Health IS Wealth, let’s keep our self clean and safe and make sure our surroundings are safe.
