Sexually Transmitted Infections

1 Sexually Transmitted Infections Health care professionals have recognized STIs as an important health priority due to their devastating implications on the health and inter-relationships of victims. STIs are infections acquired when causative pathogenic agents are transmitted from infected persons to healthy persons through unprotected sexual contact. The pathogenic materials, including parasites, bacteria, and viruses, are contained in semen, blood, and vaginal fluids (Cristaudo & Giuliani, 2020).

Types of STIs Common STIs include chlamydia, syphilis, vaginitis, pelvic inflammatory disease, genital herpes, gonorrhea, and human papillomavirus. Chlamydia is a bacterial STI caused by chlamydia trachomatis, which attaches to the urethra, cervix, and rectum during sexual activities (Holmes et al., 2017). Chamydia's key symptoms, as highlighted by Cristaudo and Giuliani (2020), include yellowish foul-smelling vaginal discharge, inflamed, tender testicles, and penileanal discharge. Severe pain during sexual intercourse and lower abdominal pain are also common experiences in chlamydia. Urine culture and swab tests are the main diagnostic procedures for chlamydia.

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2 On the other hand, Treponema pallidum is the causative agent of syphilis, which is typified by multiple sores on the location where the virus entered the body. The skin around the rectal and vaginal area may also develop small painless sores (Yardımcı, 2017). Lesions on the mucous membranes, including the anus, vagina, and mouth, occur in stage-two syphilis (Holmes et al., 2017). The common procedures for syphilis include a blood test to identify bacterial infection, fluid examination, and physical examination to detect sores and rashes on the skin. A lumbar puncture is also performed to detect infection in the nervous system.

Vaginitis describes various bacterial, yeast, or viral infections in women typified by vaginal inflammation and excessive, abnormal, filthy-smelling vaginal discharge. Severe pain while urinating or engaging in sexual intercourse is common in vaginitis. Various types of vaginitis include trichomoniasis, vaginosis, atrophic vaginitis, and candida (Cristaudo & Giuliani, 2020). Clinicians perform a pelvic examination, vaginal pH test, and swab test to diagnose vaginitis. Higher pH levels are indicative of bacterial infection. A swab test helps identify the specific causative agent for this condition.

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) occurs in women after pathogenic agents spread from the vagina to the ovaries and the uterus (Yardımcı, 2017). Severe pelvic pain is the key symptom of PID. Other typical symptoms of this condition are lower abdominal pain, vaginal discharge, and uterine bleeding (Holmes et al., 2017). The diagnostic tests of PID are biopsy, physical examination, and laparoscopy. A physical exam is essential for detecting skin rashes and blisters, whereas ultrasound and laparoscopy generate a picture of the reproductive organs.

Human papillomavirus describes several conditions that affect the skin leading to warts.

Genital warts are flat and small and appear like cauliflowers. These warts occur on the anus,

3 penis, and vagina (Cristaudo & Giuliani, 2020). The diagnostic tests recommended for HPV are the acetic acid test, which makes infected genital areas turn white, genetic test, and Pap smear.

STIs in Young Adults The most prevalent STIs in young adults and adolescents are gonorrhea and chlamydia (Moore et al., 2021). Gonorrhea is attributable to Neisseria gonorrhea. It affects the urinary system and parts of the GIT, including the rectum, the mouth, and the throat. The prime symptoms of this condition include pus-like penile discharge, persistent sore throat, penile and testicular inflammation, pain, and increased urination frequency (Spach, 2021). In women, gonorrhea symptoms include abnormal vaginal discharge, painful sexual intercourse, lower abdominal pain, and fever (Yardımcı, 2017). A swab test is the primary diagnostic procedure for gonorrhea. The swab, collected from the mouth or the genitals, helps determine the presence of bacteria.

4 References Moore, A., Traversy, G., Reynolds, D. L., Riva, J. J., Thériault, G., Wilson, B. J., ... & Thombs, B. D. (2021). Recommendation on screening for chlamydia and gonorrhea in primary care for individuals not known to be at high risk. CMAJ, 193(16), E549-E559. http://www.cmaj.ca/lookup/doi/10.1503/cmaj.210604 Spach, D. H. (2021). Gonococcal infections. Core Concepts - Gonococcal Infections - Self-Study Lessons 2nd Edition - National STD Curriculum (uw.edu) Cristaudo, A., & Giuliani, M. (2020). STI: Advances in understanding and management.

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Holmes, K. K., Bertozzi, S., Bloom, B. R., Jha, P., & World Bank Group. (2017). Major infectious diseases. NCBI Book Shelf.

Yardımcı G., (2017). Introductory chapter: The latest knowledge. InterOpen.