pathoscribe

Written by Diya Desikan | Art by Lily Ozaeta

According to ScienceDirect, over 1 million sexually transmitted infections (STIs) continue to infect people every day. STIs impact sexual and reproductive health in various ways—stigma, infertility, cancer, and complications in pregnancy. STIs impact nearly 20% of the world, and the stigmas surrounding them make their impact even greater. Due to the nature of obtaining these infections, people see it as distasteful and refuse to hold important conversations about them. Last week, April 14 to 20, marked STI Awareness Week, in which we can emphasize the importance of being educated and informed about the dangers of STIs. 

8 common pathogens cause STIs—chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, trichomoniasis, hepatitis B, herpes simplex virus (HSV), HIV, and human papillomavirus (HPV). They are spread through unprotected sexual contact, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and infected blood. Chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and trichomoniasis are both curable and treatable, while hepatitis B, HSV, HIV, and HPV, can be treated, but not fully cured. 

Many of these infections have a devastating impact on our population. HPV infections are related to the deaths of over 311,000 cervical cancer patients a year, and in 2016, 1 million pregnant women infected with syphilis resulted in 350,000 complications with birth. They can result in pelvic or abdominal pains, and reduce chances of pregnancy. STIs given from mother to child can result in stillbirths, low birth weight or prematurity, neonatal death or conjunctivitis, and congenital deformities. 

Most STIs have no symptoms, and the only way to know for sure if you have an STI is to test. Some symptoms commonly associated with STIs include itching, burning, sores, or discharge. STIs can occur in anyone sexually active, and even in those who aren’t, through the passing of bodily fluids. All sexually active people from the ages of 15 to 24 should be tested for gonorrhea and chlamydia yearly. 

Diagnosis involves samples that are either tested with molecular technology or rapid tests. Blood, urine, and swab tests are used for molecular technology in labs, which results in the most accurate conclusion. Rapid tests are also available to check for syphilis, hepatitis B, and HIV. 

Early diagnosis is key to successful treatment with the least impactful effects. Chlamydia and trichomoniasis can be cured and treated with antibiotics. However, if chlamydia is not caught early and treated immediately, it may result in pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in women, which can create infertility, chronic pelvic pain, or an ectopic pregnancy. Hepatitis B, HPV, HIV, and herpes can be treated, but there is no known cure for them as of right now. Condoms are proven useful for prevention but are also prone to failing occasionally. However, having unprotected sex increases the chance of acquiring STIs. Vaccines have also been created to prevent HPV and hepatitis B. 

Various programs aim to inform and spread awareness of STIs, such as Prepare Before You’re There, Talk. Test. Treat., and Get Yourself Tested, which are all great resources that explain the treatment processes and give general information about STIs. It is important to bring awareness and get rid of the stigma surrounding STIs so that we can help and create a safe space for those suffering from their symptoms.

Works Cited:

HIV.gov. “Resources for STI Awareness Week: April 14-20, 2024.” HIV.Gov, 15 Apr. 2024, www.hiv.gov/blog/resources-for-sti-awareness-week-april-14-20-2024#:~:text=STI%20Awareness%20Week%2C%20observed%20April,(STIs)%20impact%20people’s%20lives. 

“Sexually Transmitted Infections (Stis).” World Health Organization, World Health Organization, www.who.int/health-topics/sexually-transmitted-infections#tab=tab_1. Accessed 22 Apr. 2024. 

“About Std Awareness Week.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 10 Feb. 2023, www.cdc.gov/std/saw/about.htm. 

“April Is Sti Awareness Month.” American Sexual Health Association The American Sexual Health Association (a.k.a. ASHA) Believes That Everyone Has the Right to Information and Services That Will Help Them Be Sexually Healthy. We Aim to Provide Information and Resources That Are Reliable, Science-Based, and Stigma-Free., 16 Apr. 2024, www.ashasexualhealth.org/april-is-sti-awareness-month/. “Sexually Transmitted Infections (Stis).” World Health Organization, World Health Organization, www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/sexually-transmitted-infections-(stis)#:~:text=Eight%20pathogens%20are%20linked%20to,and%20human%20papillomavirus%20(HPV).  Accessed 22 Apr. 2024.