Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and their prevention
Infections passed through sexual contact are called STIs, VD or RTI. Most are curable if treated early. Prevention means avoiding unknown or multiple partners and using condoms.
Common STIs at a glance (the causes are extra reading, not in your textbook)
| STI | Caused by (extra reading) | Completely curable if detected early and treated properly? |
|---|---|---|
| Gonorrhoea | Bacterium (Neisseria gonorrhoeae) | Yes |
| Syphilis | Bacterium (Treponema pallidum) | Yes |
| Chlamydiasis | Bacterium (Chlamydia trachomatis) | Yes |
| Trichomoniasis | Protozoan (Trichomonas vaginalis) | Yes |
| Genital warts | Virus (human papilloma virus) | Your textbook places it among the curable STIs |
| Genital herpes | Virus (herpes simplex virus) | No |
| Hepatitis-B | Virus (hepatitis B virus) | No |
| HIV infection (AIDS) | Virus (HIV) | No |
How STIs spread, and why they go unnoticed
- They spread mainly through sexual contact with an infected person.
- Hepatitis-B and HIV also spread by sharing needles or surgical instruments, and by infected blood. They can also pass from an infected mother to her foetus.
- Early symptoms are minor: itching, fluid discharge, slight pain or swelling in the genital region.
- Infected women often have no symptoms, so the infection stays undetected.
- Mild symptoms and the social stigma attached to STIs stop many people from seeking timely tests and treatment.
Complications if STIs are not treated
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
- Abortion and still birth.
- Ectopic pregnancy, in which the embryo implants outside the uterus, for example in the fallopian tube.
- Infertility.
- Even cancer of the reproductive tract.
Prevention: three simple rules
Your textbook gives three rules. For hepatitis-B and HIV, also never share needles, and accept only tested blood.
- 1Avoid sex with unknown partners or multiple partners.
- 2Always use condoms during coitus.
- 3★In case of doubt, see a qualified doctor early, for detection and complete treatment.
★ key step
Government hospitals in India offer confidential STI and HIV testing and counselling. The hepatitis-B vaccine is given to infants under the national immunisation programme.
2 marks: “Name two STIs that are not completely curable. Why do many infected women not seek treatment early?” Any two of hepatitis-B, genital herpes, HIV. Women are often asymptomatic, early symptoms are mild, and social stigma deters them from testing.
3 marks: “List three complications of untreated STIs and three ways to prevent STIs.” Complications: PID, abortion, still birth, ectopic pregnancy, infertility, cancer of the reproductive tract (any three). Prevention: avoid unknown or multiple partners; always use condoms; see a qualified doctor early if in doubt.
1 marks: “Name two STIs that can also pass from an infected mother to her foetus.” Hepatitis-B and HIV.
Not completely curable: the three Hs: Hepatitis-B, genital Herpes, HIV.