6 August 2008 1,557 views No Comment Print This Post  Email This Post

It’s a fact - during your time as a student or even your years as a young adult, you’ll probably end up having sex. Sometimes it’ll be through a steady relationship that blossomed between two puckered undergraduates and others a drunken one-night-stand. Whatever situation you may find yourself in, it has never been so important to protect yourself.

Unfortunately, sexually transmitted infections and diseases are on the rise. People are taking too many risks and endangering themselves, often not knowing they are infected until the problem becomes apparent due to long term damage. Our advice - get tested every 6-12 months and ensure you always carry (and more importantly USE) a condom! Your local GP or GUM Clinic can do this and offer guidance and advice, as well as providing free condoms.

Sexually transmitted infections, or STI’s, are a common problem throughout the world. Infection often occurs because people do not understand STI’s, or do not know how to properly protect themselves from the transmission of such diseases. The five most common STI’s are Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Herpes Symplex Virus, Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and human papillomavirus (HPV). Each are spread most commonly through vaginal intercourse, but can also be spread through other means.

Chlamydia is the most common STI in the world, with over 1 million new cases reported each year in the United States alone, while the reported cases have increased by 150% in the United Kingdom since 1998. In most cases, an infected person will not experience symptoms. However, common symptoms are burning during urination and a discharge from the penis or vagina. If left untreated, the infection can have long-term fertility consequences in women, as long-term affects in men are rare, and leave them more susceptible to other STI’s such as HIV.

Gonorrhea is another very common sexually transmitted infection. In the United Kingdom, Gonorrhea has increased by 42% over the past decade, although there has been a steady decrease in the number of cases since 2001. Most infected people do not have any symptoms, but those who do may experience burning during urination and women may have a vaginal discharge and bleeding between periods. If untreated, it may cause infertility in both men and women. Women may also develop abdominal abscesses and may feel pelvic pain as they develop PID, or pelvic inflammatory disease.

Gonorrhea and chlamydia are both bacterial infections and are easily cured by simple antibiotics. However, there have been many strains of gonorrhea developing that have become resistant to antibiotics, making a cure harder to come by.

People infected with Genital Herpes, like most STI’s, do not always experience symptoms. Symptoms usually occur a few weeks after infection and include sores on the genitals. It is important to understand, though less infectious during periods with no symptoms, it is always possible to spread the infection. There is no cure for genital herpes. The best defense against infection is wearing a condom during sexual activity to avoid any skin-to-skin contact, as that is how the disease is spread. It is estimated that 1 in 5 adult Americans are infected with genital herpes so one should always be careful to protect themselves as carefully as possible.

People suffering from Human Papillomavirus (HPV) do not always experience symptoms either. There are two types of HPV. One causes genital warts in both men and women. The more serious type of HPV may cause cervical cancer in women. Symptoms for the cancer-causing type of HPV do not appear until very late in the infection stage. There is no cure for HPV itself, however, it is possible to treat the symptoms of the disease. Genital warts may go away on their own or may be treated with an applied medication. Cervical cancer treatments, like all cancer treatments, are at their most effective when the cancer is caught early. The usual cancer treatments (radiation, chemotherapy, etc.) may be used to treat the disease.

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus, or HIV as it is commonly known, is probably the most feared STD in the World. It has become infamous in nations around the world as awareness and prevention are stressed now more than ever. While the most infected area in the world is Sub-Sahara Africa, there are an estimated 2 million people living with HIV in North America, Western Europe and Central Europe combined. HIV may develop into AIDS in time, which may weaken the immune system, causing other illnesses and diseases to enter the body. HIV may eventually lead to one’s death and for this reason HIV and AIDS live in infamy as the most feared of all the STI’s worldwide.

The facts are daunting, especially knowing that you may never have symptoms. The figures are scary, knowing that infections and diseases are on the rise. Enjoy yourself but be smart and take precautions. Don’t be stupid, it’s not worth the risk.