Sexual Practices By Katrina

STI’s For every sexually active person, there is a chance of contracting an STI (Sexually Transmitted Infection). An STI can only be transmitted through person to person sexual activities. Some well known STIs that you may have heard of are: Syphilis Herpes Gonorrhoea HIV (AIDS) Chlamydia Genital warts (HPV) Pubic lice To avoid contracting an STI you can Practice safer sex. Condoms are the only contraceptive that protects from STI’s. Condoms WILL NOT protect you from genital herpes and HPV because they may not cover the infected area.

Signs and Symptoms When an STI produces signs and symptoms they mainly appear on the genital area. The symptoms generally consist of: Discharge from the vagina/penis/anus Pain discomfort or burning sensation when urinating Pain during sex Abnormal or unusual vaginal bleeding Lumps and bumps on genital areas Genital sores or itching Genital irritation or pain Rash on genitals If you are experiencing any of these consult with your doctor for examination and testing.

Syphilis Syphilis is caused by a bacterium called Treponema pallidum. It can affect both men and women. Syphilis is transmitted through close skin-to-skin contact and is highly contagious when a syphilis sore or rash is present. Syphilis can be transmitted through oral, vaginal or anal sex with a person who has recently acquired the infection. The number of people whom have the infection has increased rapidly since 2002, mainly among men who have sex with other men. Treatment: Penicillin is the most affective treatment for syphilis. But there are other treatments available if you are allergic to penicillin or you may be able to undergo a procedure that safely allows you to be given penicillin.

Herpes Their are two types of Herpes, HSV1 and HSV2. HSV1 occurs mainly around the mouth area but it can possibly occur on the genital area also. HSV2 occurs mainly on the genitals. Herpes is spread through skin to skin contact and can be transmitted through oral, anal or vaginal sex. Treatment: There are no medications to get rid of genital herpes. There are only ways to ease your symptoms and preventing recurrences. Salt baths Pain-relieving medicines – such as paracetamol Antiviral drugs – such as famciclovir, acyclovir and valaciclovir. These drugs can reduce the severity of an attack.

Gonorrhoea Gonorrhoea commonly known as ‘the clap’, is a sexually transmitted bacterial infection. It is quite common and can affect the penis, cervix, anus, eyes and throat. Gonorrhoea is transmitted through unprotected vaginal, anal and oral sex. Treatment: Antibiotics will clear up the infection in about seven days but it is best to avoid having intercourse for up to a month to be safe, and to be sure go to your doctor to make sure it is completely gone. If left untreated gonorrhoea can lead to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease in women or result in infertility in both male and female it can also be fatal.

HIV (AIDS) HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome better known as AIDs. AIDs is a virus that breaks down the body's immune system, making it more vulnerable to diseases and cancers. AIDs can be spread through: Unprotected vaginal or anal sex with an infected person. Sharing injecting equipment and needles with an infected person. From a mother who has HIV to a child during pregnancy, birth or via breastfeeding Unprotected oral sex with someone who has HIV ( but this is less common). Treatment: There is currently no cure for HIV AIDS, however there are drugs that can be taken to work against the virus. For most people, these drugs can postpone, and possibly prevent, HIV-related illnesses and delay moving on to AIDS.

Chlamydia Chlamydia is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis, it is a very common sexually transmittable infection. It is commonly known as the silent infection because most people don’t know they have it. Chlamydia is spread through unsafe vaginal and anal sex. Treatment: If detected early Chlamydia can be treated with a single dose of antibiotics. If complications from Chlamydia infection are present, such as pelvic inflammatory disease in women, a longer course of antibiotics will be required. Is important that your partner is also tested and or treated, and you are both tested another three months later just to be sure the infection has cleared fully.

Genital Warts Genital warts are caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV). Only some of the 100 strains of HPV affect the genitals. Genital warts can appear around the genitals and anus or, sometimes, inside the vagina, rectum or urethra. Treatment: can only remove visible warts, not the virus. Cry therapy – the warts are frozen off with liquid nitrogen or dry ice. Podophyllotoxin – this can be applied at home. It is most effective on multiple warts that are easily accessible. Pregnant women should not use Podophyllotoxin. Imiquimod cream – this is applied once a day, three times a week for up to three months. This treatment is not recommended for use in pregnancy. Laser or diathermy treatment –Laser or diathermy treatment is administered in hospital under general anaesthetic. Podophyllin paint – must be applied by a doctor. It must be washed off four hours after it is applied and should only be used once or twice a week. The virus may persist in the skin even though the visible wart has gone. This means that the wart may reappear. If the wart reappears, it does not necessarily mean that you have caught the infection again. In most cases, the wart will eventually disappear for good. This is due to the body’s natural immune response clearing the virus from the body.

contraception Well-known Forms of contraception: Implanon: a small rod containing progesterone inserted on the inside of the upper arm. Lasts up to 3 years. 99.9% effective. Combined pill: an oral contraceptive in which either contains one or two hormones (oestrogen or progesterone). Is very effective if used properly. Condoms: most popular form of contraception, prevents perm from entering the cervix during sex. 98% effective. The injecting: by injecting hormones, providing protection for about 3 months.

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