SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS

While any disease transmitted by closed contact may be transmitted by sexual intercourse, conditions classified as sexually transmitted infections are those which are generally only contracted through sex.

Not all sexually transmitted infections cause symptoms in all sufferers, so the term “disease” is not an appropriate one to use.

STIs are transmitted by close physical contact. All STIs are caused by infectious agents. These agents may pass from one host to another by :

   Exchange of Body Fluids such as blood, semen, mucus (eg. gonorrhoea, Chlamydia, syphilis, HIV, hepatitis B, Trichomonas)

   Contact with Lesions (eg. syphilis, donovanosis, genital warts, herpes)

   Other forms of Contact (eg. pubic lice)

STIs are not transmitted through intermediate objects like clothes, towels or toilet seats.

Treatment of STIs depends on the causative agent

   Bacterial and Parasitic Infections may be treated by antibiotics (eg. gonorrhoea, syphilis, Chlamydia, Trichomonas, donovanosis)

   Viral Infection may be treated by drugs (eg. herpes) or by removal of lesions (eg. cryoburning of warts)

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