Safe Sex

Safe Sex

TEST and TREAT

What are STIs?

STIs, or sexually transmitted infections, are infections that are primarily spread through sexual contact. They can be caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites, or fungi. STIs can affect various parts of the body, but they most commonly impact the reproductive system.

How can I know if I have a sexually transmitted infection?

At Medical Health Clinic Phuket, we provide a wide range of services for STIs detection, including Gram stain for bacterial infection and Wet smear for parasitic infection. Additionally, we offer blood investigation for screening HIV, Hepatitis B&C, Syphilis infection with results within 20 minutes and PCR testing for the 15 most common STI pathogens with results available within 3-5 days.

What are the most common STIs?

Some common STIs include:
1. Chlamydia Infection.
For women can cause these following symptoms:

  • Abnormal vaginal discharge
  • Painful urination
  • Painful intercourse
    Men:
  • Discharge from the penis, which may be white, cloudy, or watery
  • Painful urination

If left untreated, chlamydia can lead to more serious health issues, such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in women, which can cause infertility, and epididymitis in men, which can also lead to infertility. Regular screening and early treatment with antibiotics are essential to prevent complications.

2. Gonorrhea – Caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

Gonorrhea symptoms can vary between men and women and may affect different parts of the body, including the genitals, rectum, and throat.

Women:

  • Abnormal vaginal discharge
  • Painful urination
  • Increased vaginal bleeding
  • Pelvic pain
  • Sore Throat

Men:

  • Discharge from penis
  • Painful urination
  • Testicular pain or swelling
  • Sore throatuntreated gonorrhea can spread to the blood or joints, leading to a potentially life-threatening condition called disseminated gonococcal infection (DGI). Early diagnosis and treatment with antibiotics are crucial to prevent these complications.

3. Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) – Causes genital and oral herpes.
Herpes infection is a viral infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). There are two main types of HSV:
1. Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 (HSV-1): Primarily causes oral herpes, which leads to cold sores or fever blisters around the mouth and on the face. It can also cause genital herpes.

2. Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 (HSV-2): Primarily causes genital herpes, which results in sores or blisters around the genital or rectal area, but it can also infect the mouth.

Symptoms

  • Oral Herpes (HSV-1) :
  • Cold sores or fever blisters around the lips and mouth
  • Tingling, itching, or burning before sores appear
  • Ulcerative lesions in the mouth or on the face

Genital Herpes (HSV-2 and sometimes HSV-1):

  • Painful blisters or sores in the genital or rectal area
  • Itching or discomfort in the affected area
  • Pain during urination
  • Flu-like symptoms during the initial outbreak (fever, body aches, swollen lymph nodes)Herpes infections are common and manageable with proper medical care and precautions.

4. Syphilis – Caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum 
Syphilis progresses in stages, each with distinct symptoms:

Primary Syphilis:
Chancre: a painless sore that appears at the site of infection (e.g., genitals, mouth, or rectum) about 3 weeks after exposure. The chancre heals on its own within 3 to 6 weeks.

Secondary Syphilis:
Skin Rash: Often on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet but can appear anywhere on the body.
Mucous Membrane Lesions: Sores in the mouth, vagina, or anus.
Flu-like Symptoms: Fever, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, muscle aches, and fatigue.

Other Symptoms: Hair loss, weight loss, and headaches.

3. Latent Syphilis:
– This stage occurs when symptoms of primary and secondary syphilis disappear, and the infection remains dormant (inactive) in the body. It can last for years. Some people never have further symptoms, while others progress to tertiary syphilis.

4. Tertiary Syphilis:
Gummas: Soft, tumor-like growths on the skin, bones, liver, or other organs.
Neurological Problems: Such as neurosyphilis, which can cause severe headaches, difficulty coordinating muscle movements, paralysis, numbness, and dementia.
Cardiovascular Problems: Such as syphilitic aortitis, which affects the heart and blood vessels.

Syphilis is a serious but treatable condition, and early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent long-term health complications.

How can I prevent sexually transmitted infections?

Prevention of STIs includes using condoms during sex, having regular health check-ups, limiting the number of sexual partners, and engaging in mutual monogamy with an uninfected partner. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for managing STIs and preventing their spread.