How to self-detect and prevent sexually transmitted infections?

Sex, a beautiful word that can evoke wonderful fantasies, but at times, it can also lead people into a dark abyss. Since the 20th century, with the liberation of sexual attitudes, people have been enjoying sexual experiences while also suffering from the consequences—rapid spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Various types of STIs, such as genital warts, genital herpes, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV, and others, have started to prevail and spread, leading to open discussions about sexual health. So, what exactly are STIs?

The concept of STIs:
STIs are a group of infectious diseases primarily transmitted through sexual activities. In China, STIs mainly refer to syphilis, gonorrhea, HIV/AIDS, genital chlamydia infection, genital warts, genital herpes, and others. Among them, syphilis, gonorrhea, and HIV/AIDS are classified as class B infectious diseases under the “Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases.”

Symptoms of STIs:
When the human body is infected with STIs, different symptoms can appear in areas such as the genitalia, urethra, vagina, anus, and surrounding areas. In males, symptoms can include increased urethral discharge, frequent urination, urgency, and pain during urination. Females may experience increased vaginal discharge, changes in color and odor, painful urination, lower abdominal pain, and itching of the external genitalia. Other symptoms can include rashes, blisters, ulcers, or growths.

Modes of transmission of STIs:
STIs are mainly transmitted through unprotected vaginal sex, oral sex, anal sex, and other sexual activities. They can also be transmitted through contaminated blood, blood products, or via shared needles or syringes. Infected pregnant women can transmit STIs to their infants during pregnancy or childbirth. The spread of STIs is closely related to social norms, with high-risk factors including prostitution, promiscuity, casual sexual encounters, and shared needle drug use.

Harm of STIs:
If left untreated, STIs can worsen and lead to serious complications and long-term consequences. For example, untreated syphilis can result in cardiovascular and central nervous system damage. Inadequate treatment of gonorrhea can cause epididymitis and orchitis in males, and endometritis, pelvic inflammatory disease, and tubal blockage in females, leading to ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, and even infertility. Infected mothers can transmit STI pathogens to their fetuses or infants, resulting in conditions such as neonatal gonococcal conjunctivitis. AIDS attacks the immune system, leading to severe immunodeficiency and increased vulnerability to opportunistic infections, such as shingles, tuberculosis, enteritis, pneumonia, encephalitis, and malignancies. STIs can also be transmitted to partners and even to family members through contaminated household items.

Prevention of STIs:
Proper use of condoms (including barrier methods) is the most effective way of preventing STIs. Consistently using condoms throughout sexual activity is crucial. Practicing self-respect, having a committed sexual partner, and reducing or avoiding opportunities for STI infection are also important precautions. In cases where there is an STI-infected individual in the family, informing the spouse or sexual partner and encouraging them to seek medical examination and treatment promptly is essential to prevent further transmission. Maintaining hygienic conditions within the household is important to protect family members, especially girls, from infection. Measures can include regular washing and airing of bedding, separate washing of an infected person’s underwear, separate beds for adults and children, separate use of towels, basins, and bathtubs, and daily cleaning and disinfection of toilet seats.