Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), or sexually transmitted infections (STIs), are generally acquired by sexual contact. The organisms that cause sexually transmitted diseases may pass from person to person through blood, semen, or vaginal and other bodily fluids. Sometimes these infections can be transmitted nonsexually, such as from mother to infant during pregnancy or childbirth, or through blood transfusions or shared needles. It's possible to contract sexually transmitted diseases from people who seem perfectly healthy, and who may not even be aware of the infection. STDs don't always cause symptoms, which is one of the reasons experts prefer the term "sexually transmitted infections" to "sexually transmitted diseases."

More than 30 different bacteria, viruses and parasites are known to be transmitted through sexual contact. Eight of these pathogens are linked to the greatest incidence of sexually transmitted disease. Of these 8 infections, 4 are currently curable: syphilis, gonorrhoea, chlamydia and trichomoniasis. The other 4 are viral infections and are incurable: hepatitis B, herpes simplex virus (HSV or herpes), HIV, and human papillomavirus (HPV). Symptoms or disease due to the incurable viral infections can be reduced or modified through treatment.

STIs are spread predominantly by sexual contact, including vaginal, anal and oral sex. Some STIs can also be spread through non-sexual means such as via blood or blood products. Many STIs—including chlamydia, gonorrhoea, primarily hepatitis B, HIV, and syphilis—can also be transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy and childbirth.

A person can have an STI without having obvious symptoms of disease. Common symptoms of STIs include vaginal discharge, urethral discharge or burning during micturition in men, genital ulcers, and abdominal pain.

More than 1 million sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are acquired every day worldwide.

Each year, there are an estimated 357 million new infections with 1 of 4 STIs: chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis and trichomoniasis.

More than 500 million people are estimated to have genital infection with herpes simplex virus (HSV).

More than 290 million women have a human papilloma virus (HPV) infection.

The majority of STIs have no symptoms or only mild symptoms that may not be recognized as an STI.

STIs such as HSV type 2 and syphilis can increase the risk of HIV acquisition.

Over 900 000 pregnant women were infected with syphilis resulting in approximately 350 000 adverse birth outcomes including stillbirth in 2012.

In some cases, STIs can have serious reproductive health consequences beyond the immediate impact of the infection itself (e.g., infertility or mother-to-child transmission).

Drug resistance, especially for gonorrhoea, is a major threat to reducing the impact of STIs worldwide.

 

Derma Treat Center provides top quality, confidential, walk-in service in as far as treatment and management of STIs are concerned.

A visit to the clinic will include clinical examination , diagnosis and management of STIs. Some of the major STIs include :

Syphilis

Gonorrhea

Chlamydia

Non specific urethritis (males)

Balanitis (males)

Candidiasis/Thrush (females)

Bacterial vaginosis (females)

Trichomoniasis (females)

Genital warts

Genital herpes

Molluscum contagiosum

Pubic lice

Scabies

HIV/AIDS