What Are Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI)? – Types, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention

Sexually transmitted infections is still a taboo topic in many countries in Asia. However the increasing number of sexually transmitted infections among youths is alarming. For example, Singapore has the highest rate of syphilis per 100,000 people and is ranked third overall for the highest STI rates in the world. 

We discuss how STIs are transmitted, types as well as treatment and prevention in this article. 

What is a sexually transmitted infection (STI)? 

A sexually transmitted infection or STI refers to an infection where a bacteria, virus, or parasite is passed from one person to another person through sexual contact. Not all STIs infections are curable, therefore preventive measures are important and it must not be taken lightly. STIs are also known as sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs. 

How do you get STIs? 

Sexually transmitted infections are caused by either a parasite, virus or bacteria. These pathogens are passed from one person to another through unprotected sexual contact.

STIs spread mainly through blood, semen and bodily fluids, predominantly by sexual contact (vaginal, anal and oral sex).

Sex toys such as vibrators, anal plugs and dildos that are shared with multiple partners can also cause STIs. It spreads when toys are shared with someone who has an infection. Therefore, condoms must be put on toys that go into the vagina, mouth or anus to avoid this.

Who is affected by STIs?

Anyone and everyone who are sexually active are at risk of contacting STI’s when they have unprotected sex with multiple partners. Gay, bisexuals and young people (between ages of 15 to 24 years old) are more commonly infected due to the lack of knowledge on sexual health.

STIs from oral sex

Contrary to popular believe, STI can also be passed through oral sex (stimulating genital areas using the mouth, lips and tongue) involving genital areas.The most common STIs through oral sex are genital herpes, syphilis, and gonorrhoea.

Symptoms of STIs through oral sex :

• A painful sore throat and having difficulty swallowing.
• Open and cold sores in the mouth (sores are sometimes painless).
• Swollen tonsils.
• Appearance of white spot with redness in mouth.
• Swollen lymph nodes.

Types of sexually transmitted infections 

Here are some examples of sexually transmitted infections and the common symptoms. 

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted infection caused by the Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria. Sexually active men and women of all ages can contact it when they have unprotectected sex. 

It is recommended for both men and women to test for it every once a year if you’re sexually active and have had multiple partners. Women can get chlamydia in the cervix, rectum, or throat.

Symptoms in women:

• Increased frequency when urinating.
• Burning sensation during urination with abdominal and pelvic discomfort.
• Traces of blood in the urine.

Symptoms in men:

• Opaque and cloudy discharge from the penis.
• Pain, discomfort or a ‘burning sensation’ when urinating.
• Swollen and sore testicles. 

Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

The Human papillomavirus (HPV) spreads easily even without sexual intercourse. The virus can be transmitted through prolonged skin-to-skin contact with someone that is infected. 

A person infected with HPV may also not show any signs or symptoms and the infection can also go away by itself. If it does not go away, it can cause genital cancer and warts.

Symptoms in women:

• Pelvic pain and discomfort.
• Experiencing pain during sexual intercourse.
• Unusual colour and foul smelling discharge.
• Bleeding after intercourse.

Symptoms in men, although this is rare:

• Genital warts

Syphilis

Syphilis is a bacterial infection caused by the Treponema pallidum bacteria. It is transmitted usually via sexual intercourse, from a syphilis sore on someone else’s body through the skin or mucous membrane. 

Syphilis does not go away on its own, but the right treatment of antibiotics will help cure the infection.

Symptoms in men and women:

• Rashes on the palm of your hands and sole of your feet.
• White patches in mouth.
• Fatigue and tiredness.
• Flu-like symptoms.
• Fever and headache.
• Swollen glands.
• Muscle and joint pains.
• Sore throat.
• Hair loss.

HIV

HIV started when humans came in contact with the infected blood of a type of chimpanzee infected with the simian immunodeficiency virus, or SIV, in Central Africa. HIV, which is the human immunodeficiency virus, attacks the body’s immune system.

Most people are infected with HIV from direct contact with semen, vaginal fluids and infected blood. HIV can also spread from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth or through breast-feeding.

If HIV is left untreated, it can lead to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) which is the most severe stage from an HIV infection. The symptoms may also only start to become apparent after many years being infected.

Symptoms in men and women:

• Sores on the vagina, penis or anus.
• Low sex drive.
• Ulcers or painful open sores on your mouth or esophagus.
• Pain during intercourse for women and ejaculation for men.
• Frequent urination.
• Blood traces in urine.
• Pain in the bladder, scrotum, rectum or penis.
• Abdomen, joints, muscle and lower back pain.
• Flu-like symptoms.
• Skin rashes.
• Swollen lymph nodes.
• Sore throat.
• Fatigue.
• Night chills.
• Headache.

Symptoms of AIDS in men and women:

• Prolonged diarrhea that does not go away even with medication. 
• Extreme tiredness and fatigue.
• Excessive and sudden weight loss.
• Pneumonia.
• Loss of memory. 
• Painful sores in your mouth, anus, or genitals.
• Frequent fevers and night chills.
• Skin rashes that do not go away.

Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is an infection caused by the Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacterium. It is a sexually transmitted bacteria that infects the mucous membranes of the reproductive tract in both men and women.

The right treatment of antibiotics by your health provider will help cure gonorrhoea. 

Symptoms in men and women:

• An increased frequency of urination.
• Burning sensation and discomfort when urinating.
• Pus, yellowish or greenish discharge from the penis/vagina.
• Swelling, redness and pain from the vagina/penis.
• A persistent sore throat.

Pubic lice

Pubic lice, also known as crab lice or “crabs,” are parasitic insects in the pubic or genital region of humans and are spread through sexual contact. 

It is also possible to become infected with pubic lice when sharing personal items like clothes and towels with an infected person. 

Symptoms of pubic lice:

• Itching that does not go away in your genital area.
• Inflammation and swelling caused by constant scratching.
• Small bluish spots or blood spots on your skin caused by lice bites.
• Tiny bugs and nits (eggs) in your pubic hair.
• Feeling feverish and irritable.

Trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis (tritch) is a sexually transmitted infection caused by a parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis. Tritch is treatable with the right treatment of antibiotics. 

Symptoms in women:

• Experiencing pain during sexual intercourse.
• Traces of blood from vaginal discharge.
• Itchiness in and around the vagina.
• Foul smelling discharge.
• Swelling around the genital region. 

Symptoms in men:

• Unusual and foul smell discharge from the penis tip.
• Burning sensation during urination and ejaculation.
• Irritation, itching and discomfort inside and around the pubic region.

Herpes

Most people with the herpes virus do not show any symptoms. However, the virus can remain dormant in your body and reactivate several times a year. Herpes is caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV) and spreads via sexual contact.

Common symptoms of herpes:

• Sores on the buttocks, thigh, anus, mouth. 
• Sores in the vaginal area for women and penis, scrotum area for men. 

• Tenderness and pain in your genital area.
• Tiny white blisters, ulcers and small red bumps around the genital area.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is a sexually transmitted bacterial infection commonly caused by chlamydia and gonorrhea. 

Symptoms of PID:

• Pain and discomfort during or after sexual intercourse.
• Bleeding after sexual intercourse.
• Pain and burning sensation when urinating.
• Unusually heavy period flow that is painful.
• Sharp pain around the pelvis and lower stomach region.

Other STIs

There are also some other STIs such as scabies, molluscum contagiosum, granuloma inguinale, lymphogranuloma venereum and hepatitis B.

Scabies

Scabies is caused by a tiny burrowing mite called Sarcoptes scabiei. The mite burrows under your skin and causes extreme itchiness and discomfort. 

Molluscum contagiosum

Molluscum contagiosum is a skin infection caused by a poxvirus (molluscum contagiosum virus). It causes lesions and small bumps on your skin.

Granuloma inguinale

Granuloma inguinale is caused by the bacteria Klebsiella granulomatis. Symptoms include small, red bumps on or near the genitals areas and enlarges and forms sores. If left unrated it can cause scarring.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV) which leads to liver infection.

Sexually transmitted infection symptoms

STI symptoms  vary depending on the type and severity of the infection. Here are some of the most common signs you should look out for.

STI symptoms in men

• Experiencing pain during ejaculation.
• Increased frequency and pain during urination.
• Weird lumps or growths in your pubic and genital region.
• Itching inside your penis, scrotum, testicals and anus.
• Abnormal discharge from the tip of your penis.
• Blisters, sores or lumps around your pubic region, or anus.
• Sores in mouth.

STI symptoms in women

• Discomfort, pain and a burning sensation when urinating.
• Unusual lumps or growths in your pubic and genital region.
• A rash that does not go away or continues to spread.
• Continuous itching around your genitals or anus. 
• Odd fouling smell and colour of discharge from the vagina, or anus.
• Painful sores, warts or blisters near your anus and genital area.
• Cold sores in your mouth or throat.

Sexually transmitted infection treatments

It is important for everyone that is sexually active to be responsible and get yourself tested once every 6 months. In order to protect your partners, your loved ones and also yourself, an early diagnosis is crucial to receive the right treatment.

How are STDs diagnosed? 

There are a few laboratory tests that can be done in order to properly diagnose the infection, such as :

1. Urine Sample – A urine sample is collected and some STIs can be detected using this method.
2. Genital Fluid Sample – For more severe cases and if you have an open sore, medical professionals will gather some samples from the genital sore to diagnose the type of infection.
3. Blood Test – This is usually used to confirm the diagnosis of HIV, genital herpes, syphilis, and hepatitis B.

Are STDs curable? 

Most STDs are curable with early diagnosis and proper treatment. 

However there are 4 severe and viral infections that as of now, are incurable:

1. Hepatitis B
2. HIV
3. Herpes simplex virus (HSV or herpes)
4. Human papillomavirus (HPV)

Treatment for bacterial STIs

Bacterial infections can be cured when it is diagnosed early, with antibiotics treatment advised by your health provider.

Treatment for viral STIs

There is no cure for viral STIs but there is medication to help manage the symptoms from the infection. 

There is a vaccine available to protect us against contacting Hepatitis B, which is a viral STI. The vaccine must however, be administered before you contact the virus in order to keep you safe.

Other treatments 

Trichomoniasis which is a parasitic STI is cured by oral medication and is also safe for pregnant women.

Pubic lice can be cured by application of topical creams or lotions with permethrin.

STD prevention

Here are some tips on how to avoid getting infected by STIs : 

• Stick to one partner. One of the most effective ways is by sticking to only one uninfected partner to keep yourself safe.
• Abstinence. Avoid sexual contact if you are not familiar with your partner’s background. Wait till you get the person tested before having any form of intimacy.
• Vaccination. Get vaccinated to protect yourself from contracting viral infections such as the human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis A and hepatitis B.
• Protection. Use new and sealed condoms for every secual activity (oral, anal and vaginal). Never reuse a condom or share it with multiple partners.

STDs and pregnancy 

A pregnant woman can still be infected with STDs and it can also be passed on unto her unborn baby. Therefore it is important to get tested before getting pregnant and to take extra precaution during sexual intercourse when you are carrying a child.

Also remember that emergency contraception does not prevent STIs.

Always use a condom even when you are pregnant. Never hesitate and quickly seek professional help should you develop any symptoms.

When to see a medical professional? 

Always seek professional help when you are unsure  whether you have contracted an infection and are experiencing the symptoms.

STDs can only be diagnosed when proper tests are done in order to receive the right treatment.  You can reach out to our team of medical professionals at Ova if you have any questions with regards to STIs. 

Listed as a direct telemedicine provider by Singapore’s Ministry of Health, we enable you to seek help discreetly, from the comfort and privacy of your home. We’re 100% online, and offer personalized treatment with registered medication. 

Conclusion

STIs are dangerous, detrimental to health and can even lead to death. An early treatment is necessary to avoid any serious long-term effects.

Only you can keep yourself protected, never wait till it is too late and never succumb to pressure when choosing to have sexual intercourse. Always make sure that your partner gets tested first before initiating any forms of sexual contact.