STDs: What you should know!

Dr. Atul

What are the common symptoms?

Itching, pain and discharge from penis, rectum, vagina and oral cavity, ulcers and warty lesions at same sites. Fever, joint pain, throat pain, fatigue, rash, swollen lymph nodes are not very specific but can be present in acute HIV infection usually weeks to 6 months after exposure. Medical attention should be immediately seeked if above mentioned symptoms are present. Symptomatic patients are just like a tip of iceberg, most of the cases are hidden and can be found only after having proper health awareness and regular health check-ups.

Are there vaccines which can protect me against certain STDs?

Yes! HPV vaccine prevents infection against human papilloma virus and precancerous and cervical cancers. It can also decrease the risk of anal HPV and anal cancer. HBV is over 100 times more infectious than HIV. HBV can be easily prevented by the vaccine and it even provides lifelong immunity against Hepatitis B which causes acute and chronic Hepatitis B infection and increases risk of liver failure and Hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatitis A can also be prevented by vaccination. It is very important to practice safe sex, because its only way to prevent certain STDs like HIV-AIDS. Don’t mix sex with alcohol. It is very important to use lubricants while having anal sex to avoid rupture of condom, lubricants should be aqueous based , oil should not be used because it damages the condom.

What else should I be doing?

It is very important to have regular medical checkups and to screening for common STDs and HIV at regular intervals, say every 6 months. Take immediate medical assistance if you think you have some sexual health problems. It is better if your Doctor knows about your sexuality, but it may not always be a practical option, which is understandable.