Module 7 Libre : Les IST

Module 7:

STIs
(MODULAR TRAINING)
 

Contents

Definition
Symptoms
Treatment of STIs
Screening
Prevention
Most common STIs
Assessment of the Module by MCQ
(Multiple Choice Questionnaire)

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

At the end of this module, the participant will be able to:
Define an STI
Describe the symptoms of STIs
Compare screening methods
according to the STI sought
Identify the prevention tools
to use when faced with an STI
Distinguish the 3 types of STI

Definition

STI stands for Sexually Transmitted Infection, i.e. an infection that is transmitted through sexual intercourse.

They are transmitted not only through penetration but also through oral sex, fondling, masturbation and direct contact between the sexes.

An STI can be caused by a bacterium, virus or parasite.

The most common STIs include: chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, genital herpes, HPV, etc.

Symptoms

In many cases STIs are asymptomatic, i.e. they do not present any symptoms. Symptoms that may appear in the days following sexual intercourse include:

  • Itching
  • Burning sensation
  • Appearance of small red/white spots
  • (Smelly) discharges
  • Pain in lower abdomen, bleeding, etc.

The following STIs may however have symptoms:

.

Genital herpes: Small, painful ulcers on the genitals

.

HPV: Can cause genital warts that look like cockerel combs

.

Chlamydia: Usually symptomatic in men, causes discharge from the penis and/or rectum

.

Gonorrhoea: Symptomatic in men, causes severe pain when urinating

Anything that is out of the ordinary should lead to consult a doctor as promptly as possible!

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TREATMENT OF STIs

BACTERIAL AND VIRAL STIs

Bacterial STIs are easily cured by taking antibiotics. No immunity will be developed against a bacterial STI: having had a bacterial STI does not mean that there will never be another infection with that STI.

Viral STIs are incurable, but there are treatments available to alleviate the consequences of the infection.

Herpes, for example, is a virus that, once in the body, will stay there for life, and will randomly manifest itself by the appearance of very painful lesions on the genitals. Antivirals are at such times prescribed to reduce the symptoms and speed up the healing of the lesions.


IMPORTANT FOR ALL STIs:

It is therefore essential to consult a doctor always if there are any abnormal signs, even if the symptoms have disappeared, as it is necessary to treat the infection as soon as possible so that it does not spread to other organs.

Sexual partners should also be informed, seen by a doctor and treated if necessary.

An STI can be prevented by using prevention tools such as:

  • An internal condom, which is inserted into the vagina, also known as the ‘female condom’.
  • An external condom, which is rolled onto the penis, also known as the 'male condom'.
  • A dental dam for oral sex (cunnilingus, anilingus).
  • Regular screening, if engaged in unprotected sexual intercourse, of oneself and of the sexual partners.

SCREENING FOR STIs

The screening varies depending on the STI sought

VIRAL STIs

.

Blood test or rapid diagnostic test

.

Blood test or rapid diagnostic test (HCV)

.

Genital herpes: painful symptoms, with confirmation by a doctor, suffice for the diagnosis of genital herpes. It is not necessary to test for this STI because no treatment is possible before symptoms appear

.

HPV: screening by vaginal, anal, oral smear
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BACTERIAL STIs

.

In women: vaginal and/or oral smear or morning urine test • In men: penile and/or rectal discharge analysis

.

Urine analysis (man and woman)

.

Blood test or rapid diagnostic test
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PREVENTION OF STIs

HOW TO AVOID AN STI?

An STI can be avoided by using prevention tools such as:

  • An internal condom, which is inserted into the vagina, also known as the ‘female condom’.
  • An external condom, which is rolled onto the penis, also known as the 'male condom'.
  • A dental dam for oral sex (cunnilingus, anilingus).
  • Regular screening, if engaged in unprotected sexual intercourse, of oneself and of the sexual partners.

ATTENTION :

Having an STI increases the risk of infection by HIV because STIs weaken the mucous membranes and make them more permeable to HIV. In addition, any wound on the genitals favours infection with HIV.

The chain of transmission can be interrupted by:

  • Undergoing the prescribed treatment in full;
  • Informing partners to get tested and, if necessary, treated as promptly as possible;
  • Using the prevention tools listed in the previous points, i.e. condoms, dental dams, etc.
  • Not sharing intimate items (sex toys, towels, etc.)

VACCINATION

  • There is a vaccine against the Hepatitis A virus and the Hepatitis B virus.
  • A vaccine against 9 types of human papillomavirus (HPV) involved in over 70% of cervical cancers and 90% of genital warts is also available. It  is reimbursed by the CNS (national health fund) for young girls and boys between the ages of 11 and 18, but also in a targeted manner beyond this age bracket. The important thing is to see a doctor (https://plancancer.lu/about/prevention/vaccination-hpv/)

SITs

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HIV = virus

Contact between an infected liquid (sperm, pre-seminal fluid, vaginal secretions, anal secretions, blood, breast milk) and a mucous membrane or an open wound.

  • Condoms
  • Dental dams
  • Regular screening
  • Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP)
  • Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)
  • Treatment as Protection (TASP)
  • Personal and disposable once-off drug paraphernalia (Safer use)

No cure

Treatment called "triple therapy" to confine HIV and prevent it from attacking the immune system

 
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HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS (HPV) = virus

Direct contact with infected skin or mucous membrane (sexual touching, oral, anal, vaginal sex)

  • Condoms
  • Dental dams
  • Vaccination
  • Treatment of warts (condyloma)
  • Screening for cervical cancer
 
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HERPES = virus

Direct contact with infected skin or mucous membrane (sexual touching, oral, anal, vaginal sex)
  • Condoms
  • Dental dams
Treatment of herpes outbreaks with antivirals
 
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HEPATITIS B = virus

Contact between an infected fluid (semen, pre-seminal fluid, vaginal fluid, blood, breast milk) and a mucous membrane or wound
  • Condoms
  • Dental dams
  • Vaccination
  • Personal and disposable once-off drug paraphernalia (Safer use)
  • No cure
  • Antivirals to slow progression
 
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SYPHILLIS = Bacteria

Direct contact with skin, infected mucous membrane or infected blood
  • Condoms
  • Dental dams
  • Regular screening
  • Personal and disposable once-off drug paraphernalia (Safer use)
Antibiotics
No immunity is created: reinfection is possible
 
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GONORRHOEA «Tripper» = Bacteria

Direct contact with infected mucous membrane: (sexual touching, oral, anal, vaginal sex)
  • Condoms
  • Dental dams
  • Screening

Antibiotics

No immunity is created: reinfection is possible
 
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CHLAMYDIA = bacteria

Direct contact with infected mucous membrane: (sexual touching, oral, anal, vaginal sex)
  • Condoms
  • Dental dams
  • Screening

Antibiotics

No immunity is created: reinfection is possible
 
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TRICHOMONAS = parasite

Direct contact with infected mucous membrane: (sexual touching, oral, anal, vaginal sex)
  • Condoms
  • Dental dams
  • Regular screening

Antibiotics

No immunity is created: reinfection is possible
 

ARE THEY STIs OR NOT?

 
Last modified: Friday, 11 February 2022, 10:26 AM