Sexually transmitted infection : A havoc but easily preventable

It is our responsibility to address any STDs or infections that accompany sexual intimacy, make people aware about them and assure them that we are here to cure them of these infections. Sexually transmitted infections refer to infections which spread by sexual contact. The Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) which clinically result in AIDS and the Hepatitis B and C viruses, are the most lethal and debilitating ones, besides the other more common and traditional infections such as syphilis, herpes, balanitis, balanoposthitis, urethritis and prostatitis and infections with human papilloma viruses, gonorrhea and chlamydia.

Most of the sexually transmitted infections in men present in the form of ulcers on the penis, which might be either painful or painless, swelling in the groin region, redness over the glands of the penis and foul discharge from the urethra. Seldom the patients have vesicles on the glands or difficulty in micturition. It is imperative to diagnose the cause of the infection and determine the causative organism involved, so as to tailor the treatment, based on clinical examination, the characteristic appearance of the lesions and appropriate serological and microbiological laboratory tests. Most of these infections are curable, provided appropriate care is sought timely and healthy and safe sexual habits are practiced.

The National AIDS Control Organization(NACO) has estimated an incidence of 25 males per 10,000 and 19 females per 10,000 to be afflicted by HIV virus, as of 2018. These figures, though alarming, are on the decline owing to the mammoth efforts taken by the Government of India and increased awareness amongst patients. Restriction to heterosexual sex, limiting the number of sexual partners and use of condoms have gone a long way in achieving the fall in statistics. Awareness and education are the major weapons to curb this epidemic. Effective medications are available for treatment of HIV, AIDS and even Hepatitis B and C, but as they say, prevention is better than cure.

Sexual Intimacy is one of life’s greatest pleasures, and for the minor adversaries which accompany it, we, at Paras HMRI are there.