STD/STI

What are Genital Warts / Human Papillomavirus (HPV)?

STDs or STIs are infections that are caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi or protozoa, which can be transmitted through sexual intercourse or close body contact with another person who is infected with an STD/STI.

What are the common modes of transmission?

During sexual contact or activity e.g. oral, vaginal or anal intercourse where there is transfer of bodily fluids ( e.g. semen from male genital tract or vaginal and cervical secretions from the female genital tract ) from an infected person to the sex partner ( e.g. gonorrhoea/gonorrhea, syphillis, Hepatitis B, HIV )
During sexual contact or activity where there is intimate skin-to-skin contact ( e.g. scabies, pubic lice, syphilis, herpes and warts )
Vertical transmission from infected mother to baby during pregnancy or delivery ( e.g. syphilis, hepatitis B and HIV )
Transmission through sharing of contaminated injection needles or contaminated blood transfusions

What are the common Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) or Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)?

Gonorrhoea / Gonorrhea
Chlamydia
Trichomonas / Trichomoniasis
Oral and/or Genital Herpes / Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) I and II
Genital Warts / Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
Syphillis / Venereal Disease (VD)
Hepatitis B / Hepatitis C
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) / Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
Bacterial Vaginosis
Candidiasis / Thrush ( Genital - Vaginal, Penis/Penile, Anal and/or Oral )
Molluscum Contagiosum
Crabs / Pubic Lice / Pediculosis Pubis
Scabies
Non Gonococcal urethritis (NGU)
Prostatitis

What are the common Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) or Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)?

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) or Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) may present in a number of ways:

Discharge - Genital (Vaginal, Penis/Penile), Anal and/or Oral
Itch - Genital (Vaginal, Penis/Penile), Anal and/or Oral
Pain - Genital (Vaginal, Penis/Penile), Anal and/or Oral
Rash / Redness - Genital (Vaginal, Penis/Penile), Anal and/or Oral
Blisters / Lumps / Growths - Genital (Vaginal, Penis/Penile), Anal and/or Oral
Sores / Ulcers - Genital (Vaginal, Penis/Penile), Anal and/or Oral
Dysuria (Pain on passing urine)
Swelling of lymph nodes in the groin
Fever of unknown cause
Asymptomatic (No symptoms, Carrier)

What is the incubation period for Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) or Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)? How long does it take for symptoms to arise?

The incubation period is the period of time from infection to the appearance of symptoms and signs; it can vary according to the type of infection.

STDs or STIs with short incubation periods ( 2 days to 4 weeks ) : Gonorrhoea, Chlamydia, Non-Gonococcal Urethritis, Genital Herpes
STDs or STIs with long incubation periods ( Few Weeks to Few Months ) : Syphillis, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Genital Warts

Not everyone with a STD or STI show symptoms or signs. Some of them may be asymptomatic, carriers and may still be able to infect their partners.

How to screen/test for STDs / STIs?

Screening or testing for STDs / STIs can be done by clinical examination, blood tests, urine tests and/or swab tests from the mouth, penis, vagina, anus and from any areas of broken skin, ulcers or discharge

How to treat STDs / STIs?

Treatment for STDs / STIs are available and they can be in the form of oral medication, injections, topical medications or surgical.