Looking for some brief information on —in the Love and Sex issue of The Strand, the Science section brings you blurbs on five common sexually transmitted conditions, so that you can stay informed and stay safe in your sexual escapades!
Chlamydia
Chlamydia is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections, most likely due to the mildness or absence of its symptoms. This infection is bacterial, caused by Chlamydia trachomatis. These bacteria are passed through semen and vaginal fluids and can infect the penis, vagina, cervix, anus, urethra, eyes, and throat. How does it get to your eyes? you might ask. If you have any semen or vaginal fluid on your hand and touch your eye, the bacteria will transfer there. As for the throat, oral sex is an easy means for the bacteria to enter. You won’t, however, get chlamydia from kissing or sharing food or drinks—only oral, anal, and vaginal sex can allow the bacteria to transfer. The few symptoms that might arise include pain during urination and sex, lower abdominal pain, swollen testicles, and bleeding from the anus. It is important to do regular screenings for chlamydia mostly because it can lead to more severe problems, such as sterility. It can also transfer from birthing parent to baby through childbirth. Since treatment simply includes antibiotics, stay proactive about testing and treat the infection earlier rather than later.
Gonorrhea
This infection, like chlamydia, is common and difficult to spell. It is a bacterial infection caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, which is passed through semen and vaginal fluid. Like chlamydia, it affects the reproductive organs, anus, eyes, and throat, though not many symptoms show. The most notable symptoms include white or green penile discharge, pain during urination, and itching or bleeding from the anus. This infection can also be treated with antibiotics, but new cases of gonorrhea are appearing with bacteria that are rapidly adapting to our existing azithromycin and ceftriaxone treatments. The bacteria’s ability to mutate its genes between generations to survive antibiotics has been noted since the 1940s, and we are running out of treatments. The new strain of antibiotic-resistant bacteria is now called “super-gonorrhea” and is notoriously difficult to treat. Therefore, gonorrhea is a dangerous public health concern, especially since it is correlated with increased HIV risk and can pass from birthing parents to babies in childbirth. Use of condoms and dental dams, regular testing, and frank conversations about sexual health with partners can help prevent the spread of super-gonorrhea.
Pubic lice
Many of us are likely familiar with the itchy head and with someone spraying on a strange–smelling substance and covering it with a plastic hair net. Head lice was a mark of childhood; it was so fiercely avoided that it became a kind of game. Sometimes it was unclear what winning was—after all, head lice meant TV and no school. Hopefully not reminiscent of childhood is a variant of this itchy parasite: pubic lice, often called crab louse, an infestation of which is called Pediculosis pubis. The thicker quality of pubic hair attracts a crab-like insect that is specially designed to grip pubic hair. Readily sexually transmitted, the little bugs—living three to four weeks—can also hang onto clothing and be transmitted person-to-person that way. P. pubis can be treated with insecticides permethrin and pyrethrins, though some may opt to shave to avoid it altogether.
Yeast infection
A yeast infection, also called vaginal candidiasis, presents with sticky white vaginal discharge and irritation of the vagina. Commonly caused by the fungus Candida albicans, yeast infections are not, strictly speaking, STIs. People with vaginas, however, are more likely to contract a yeast infection at the beginning of regular sexual activity, and there might also be a relationship between oral sex and yeast infections. A healthy vagina has a balance of yeast and bacteria; some bacteria are used to keep the yeast population at bay. The balance, however, may be thrown off, when yeast (such as Candida) overwhelms the yeast-controlling bacteria or grows in parts of the vagina that are difficult for bacteria to reach. This overgrowth of yeast leads to infection. Antibiotics, pregnancy, and oral contraceptives can make vaginas more vulnerable to yeast infections. Antifungal medications are often used for treatment or, under more serious conditions, boric acid is applied directly into the vagina. If you happen to find yourself with a yeast infection as well as warts, C. albicans has been shown to have positive effects when applied to warts.
Genital herpes
Have you ever had cold sores or fever blisters? You’ll find that these were caused by a type of virus called herpes simplex type 1 (HSV-1). That’s right: they’re related to the herpes you might know as an STI. Genital herpes is a virus-based sexually transmitted infection that is caused by two strains of herpes simplex: HSV-2 or HSV-1. You’ll notice the latter of the two is the same strain of herpes that causes those cold sores, and so unprotected oral sex can be a causative factor of genital herpes. A lack of cold sores and fever blisters doesn’t guarantee that a person doesn’t carry HSV-1, though; in the majority of cases, a carrier of the (otherwise harmless) oral herpes doesn’t actually present any outwardly visible symptoms, which is why protection and testing are important. HSV-2 is most commonly acquired through genital-to-genital contact, and either form of herpes simplex can be transferred through genital or oral secretions: vaginal, anal, or oral sex. There are few outwardly visible symptoms of genital herpes, but the virus stays in your body for life, and there are occasional “outbreaks” of small sores or blisters that can leave painful ulcers. Transmission of herpes from birthing parent to child is also possible during delivery, leading to a particularly dangerous form of herpes called neonatal herpes. While herpes simplex in any of its forms or locations is lifelong, it’s usually a manageable condition. Outbreak situations can typically be shortened or prevented using specific anti-herpes antivirals, and vaccines are currently in trial.
This was just a brief overview of a several existing STIs. Thankfully, today we have a wealth of information at our disposal regarding tips for prevention of contraction, safe practice, and treatment methods. On top of this, improvements in sexual education will continue to lead us to more frank and open conversations about STIs, while simultaneously reducing the social stigmas associated with them.
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