Love at risk: the diseases that are caught with unprotected sex

There are more than a million sexually transmitted infections every day all over the world: to protect yourself you just need a single simple precaution, the use of condoms during each intercourse.

There are more than a million sexually transmitted infections every day all over the world: to protect yourself you just need a single simple precaution, the use of condoms during each intercourse.

They were once called venereal diseases, that is, of Venus, the goddess of love. Now they are often called sexually transmitted diseases, although in reality the most correct term in medicine is “sexually transmitted infections” (STIs), as they are caused by more than 30 viruses, bacteria, parasites, protozoa and fungi capable of infecting humans during sexual activity (vaginal,, oral, etc.).

Sexually transmitted diseases

Most cases of STIs are caused by 8 of these pathogens (see table), which give rise to syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, hepatitis B, Trichomonas vaginalis infection, Herpes simplex virus and Papilloma virus, and finally AIDS.

To these is also added candida, or candidiasis, caused by a fungus normally present in the body but which, under certain conditions, can grow abnormally and cause annoying signs and symptoms.

All these infectious diseases are very different from each other, but characterized by a common denominator: the only preventive measure that can protect 100% from all these infections is to avoid risky sexual behavior, always practicing “safe sex”, from a young age, thanks to the use of condoms.

Sexual activity is certainly the main “means” of spreading these infections, but it is also possible to become infected with these pathogens in other circumstances, for example through the use of inadequately sterilized needles used for tattoos.

Chlamydia

In the case of chlamydia the pathogen is represented by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. It is a disease almost always asymptomatic, or in any case with mild symptoms, such as burning and vaginal discharge in women and secretions and disorders during urination in men.

If the infection progresses, however, the consequences can be much more serious; in women it is possible to develop pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can lead to permanent damage to the fallopian tubes, resulting in infertility, and increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy; For males, however, complications are rarer.

Finding out that you have contracted this infection is very simple as a simple vaginal or urethral swab or a urine test is required.

It is equally easy to identify a cure, because, being a bacterium, it is sufficient to take the antibiotic therapy indicated by your doctor.

Papillomavirus infection

There are more than 100 types of human papillomavirus (HPV): some are responsible for benign lesions such as warts (whose appearance can be favored by risk factors such as smoking and diabetes) others are able to produce cancerous lesions. Cervical cancers are in fact caused in 95% of cases by HPV infection.

Fortunately, the immune system is almost always able to eradicate the virus before it can cause major damage. In other cases, however, the body is unable to defeat HPV and the infection can become chronic: if the virus in question belongs to the “high risk” category, lesions of the female genital apparatus, particularly at the level of the cervix, can turn into cancer within a few years (on average, from 7 to 15 years).

In the case of HPV, in addition to the use of condoms, there is another important prevention strategy: vaccines have been developed that protect against Hpv 16 and 18 viral strains, responsible for about 70% of cases of cervical cancer, and from others more harmless, which can lead to the development exclusively of warts (Hpv 6 and 11).

To diagnose a possible infection early, it is advisable to undergo regular gynecological medical examinations, during which the specialist can identify any lesions and subject his patients to a simple screening test, called Pap-test, which allows to examine the cells of the cervix in search of possible abnormalities.

Checks with a specialist are of course also recommended for women who have undergone the vaccine, since it does not allow total coverage from all viral strains.

Genital herpes

This pathology is caused by Herpes simplex viruses 1 and 2, which belong to the same family as the common cold sores. It is a chronic infection that can recur after some time: there is no therapy that can eliminate the virus forever, but it is only possible to reduce the duration and severity of the manifestations with an antiviral, such as acyclovir.

Most subjects who contract this infection do not notice it as they are often asymptomatic or in any case with mild symptoms; However, it is possible that blisters appear on the genitals and surrounding areas (penis and scrotum in men, vulva and vagina in women) that can rupture causing painful ulcers.

It is in these cases that the diagnosis is most frequently made by the doctor, who may decide to confirm it with laboratory analysis on the vesicle fluid or on a blood sample.

Gonorrhoea

Gonorrhea is caused by a bacterium, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and can therefore be cured with antibiotic therapy, which is often also associated with a drug against chlamydia, as the two infections are frequently concomitant.

It is good to carefully follow the therapeutic indications because, if left untreated, gonorrhea can have quite serious complications, such as pelvic inflammatory disease; In men it can instead cause the so-called gonococcal urethritis (resulting in the appearance of burning and discomfort during urination, as well as muco-purulent discharge from the urethra) and epididymitis (an inflammation that can cause pain and even lead to sterility).

The initial symptoms are usually mild, and the most common are burning during urination, whitish-yellow discharge from the urethra or vagina, and vaginal bleeding outside the menstrual cycle. To be certain of the diagnosis it is necessary to perform laboratory tests on urine or vaginal or urethral swabs.

Syphilis

Syphilis is also caused by a bacterium, Treponema pallidum. If left untreated, this infection progresses through 3 phases, characterized by symptoms of increasing severity, which can seriously harm health, also leading to heart disease, damage to the nervous system (dementia, blindness, paralysis) and even death.

The first symptom is the appearance of a lesion at the level of the genitals; in case of suspicion, it is advisable to proceed with targeted blood tests to reach a certain diagnosis and start antibiotic therapy, usually based on penicillin, as soon as possible; Dosage and mode of administration will be chosen according to the stage of the disease.

AIDS

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, better known by the acronym AIDS, is caused by infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which is able to attack the cells of the immune system responsible for protecting the body from pathogens.

The real syndrome can actually occur even many years after infection with the HIV virus; An early diagnosis, possible with a simple blood test, can allow you to start treatment with antiviral drugs as soon as possible that can block the replication of the virus, thus slowing down the destruction of the immune system and therefore the progression of the disease.

If the very first symptoms of the infection are very similar to those of a trivial flu, once the virus has significantly affected the immune system, the first manifestations of the syndrome occur, with the succession of opportunistic infections (ie that take advantage of a weakened immune system) by viruses, parasites, and bacteria that can lead to the death of the patient.

Hepatitis B

As in the case of HPV, the hepatitis B virus is often eliminated from the body without the need for drugs, and without the patient noticing the infection; The first symptoms are in fact very mild, similar to those of a simple flu.

However, if this does not happen, the infection becomes chronic and in the long term can cause very serious complications, such as liver cancer, liver cirrhosis and chronic liver failure.

To prevent hepatitis B there is a vaccination, which is proposed to all newborns, but which can also be administered in adulthood.

Trichomonas vaginalis infection

Trichomonas vaginalis is a parasite capable of causing a form of vaginitis that is not serious, but with annoying symptoms and should not be underestimated in order not to incur complications, especially in the case of pregnancy: this infection is in fact associated with a greater risk of premature birth, low weight of the baby at birth and transmission of the protozoan to the newborn during its passage into the birth canal.

Trichomonas vaginalis mainly infects women, causing greenish-yellow and foul-smelling vaginal discharge, associated with severe itching. In men, on the other hand, the symptoms are often so mild that they are not felt, but in some cases the infection can manifest itself with irritation and burning on urination.

If a diagnosis is made, usually by vaginal swabs or urine test, the most frequently prescribed drug is metronidazole, which must also be taken by any partners, in order to avoid the periodic reappearance of the disease.