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• Getting to know less familiar STIs

There are more than 25 sexually transmitted infections, but most of us can only name those that are the most well-known. Even then, identifying specific information can be a challenge. In a presentation Jo gave recently, she asked the group to brainstorm everything they knew about various STIs, including Trichomoniasis. The group responded with “trich-a-what?”, showing they knew little about it. It reminded her that at other talks, people have stated that they have never heard of this common STI. So this week, Doin’ It Well decided to increase familiarity with less commonly known STIs.

Are We Negative?

It’s always a tough balance in the world of sex education between providing needed information to help people make good decisions and avoiding scare tactics or focusing strictly on the negative consequences of sexual activity, the latter two of which are shown through scientific research to neither delay sex nor increase safety strategies. A few weeks ago, Jo was asked to review an STI education document and noticed that one of the first things to be mentioned for each STI was a statement like “this may to lead to severe complications” (or some variation thereof) instead of — where applicable — “curable” or “preventable”!

While information about the real consequences of STIs — especially when left untreated — are necessary, it’s also a much less empowering stance to focus on the awful, scary, really bad things that might happen to a person when they become sexually active, if they get an STI and if it goes undetected and untreated. It’s with this in mind that we present the following information. The good news is that all but one of the following STIs are either curable or preventable with vaccines!

Trichomoniasis

(alias: trichomonas, trich)

Trich is a parasite and the most common curable STI among young women. Trichomoniasis is interesting to observe under a microscope because of its flagella. Men often have no symptoms or experience symptoms that go away, but the infection can still be passed to partners.

Scabies

Scabies is also a parasite and, therefore, completely curable. Dissimilar to pubic lice, scabies is a mite that burrows under the skin, creating wavy silver or brown lines. It’s transmitted from one person to the next through prolonged intimate, though not necessarily sexual, contact. For example, the risk for scabies increases when you spend the night with someone (versus when you “hook up”). It can also be transmitted among those in the same bed or household.

Chancroid

This is a bacterial infection that is completely curable and most often found in developing and Third World countries. Those diagnosed with it in the U.S. have often contracted it while traveling. Chancroid infection causes a chancre or ulcerative lesion(s) to appear usually on or around the genitals. Unlike a syphilis chancre, those found with chancroid infection are painful.

Molluscum Contagiosum

These are small lesions or bumps caused by the molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV). MCV is transmitted through skin-to-skin contact, and for adults, sexual transmission is the most common. Sometimes the bumps will self-resolve or are removed by a healthcare provider. Once the bumps are gone, transmission decreases, although it may not be eliminated. Scratching the bumps or lesions can spread it to other parts of the body.

NGU

Non-gonococcal urethritis is an infection of the urethra caused by something other than gonorrhea, including other STIs (Chlamydia for example). It is more often found in men than women, probably due to anatomical differences.

PID, Vaginitis, Cervicitis, Urethritis and Prostitis

These are sometimes categorized as STIs, but rather than being transmitted, they are infections of certain parts of the body (reproductive organs). Infections of the cervix, vagina, urethra and prostate causing inflammation, irritation or other medical problems are often, but not always, caused by STI infections. A man cannot “get” vaginitis transmitted to him or be diagnosed with it unless he has a vagina. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), which does occur in women and is the most common cause of infertility in women, is often caused by STIs such as Chlamydia and gonorrhea.

Hepatitis A and B

Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver caused by a number of different viruses (hep A, B, C, D or E). Hep A and B are the most common types transmitted sexually; type A can be transmitted through feces (oral-anal stimulation) and type B through bodily fluids such as semen and blood. The good news is two-fold: Most people younger than 30 have been vaccinated against hep B (if not, you can be), and a vaccination also exists to prevent hep A! If you engage in oral-anal stimulation often, you may want to consider a hep A vaccination.

In 2007, Illinois ranked in the top 10 of states with the highest Chlamydia and gonorrhea rates. By using condoms every time with every partner, you can significantly reduce your risk for all STIs. If you’re sexually active, get tested — even if you don’t have symptoms. By visiting your medical provider, you can get the care you deserve to help you keep doin’ it well.

Check us out next week as we talk about sex on the road.