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 Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) / Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD)STIs or STDs are infections that are typically transmitted through sexual contact. These infections are mostly caused by bacteria and viruses, but they can also be caused by parasites (e.g. trichomonas) and insects (e.g. pubic lice). Bacterial InfectionsChlamydiaChlamydia is the most common bacterial STI and it is found in many countries. It is particularly common in the under-25s. It is caused by a bacteria called Chlamydia trachomatis. It infects both male and female genitals, the anus, and rarely other sites. At least half of all those people infected have no symptoms. Nearly 70% of females infected with it are asymptomatic. Consequently, a large number of women develop serious complications such as infertility and ectopic pregnancies due to scaring of the Fallopian tubes as a result of undetected infections. The infection is usually easily cured with antibiotics, but there can be permanent complications (For more details, refer to individual infection fact sheet) - Download PDF GonorrhoeaGonorrhoea is a bacterial infection caused by ‘Neisseria gonorrhoeae’. It is easy to transmit through sexual contact to the male and female genitals, anus, throat and eyes. In Men, symptoms usually include pus being discharged from the end of their penis, but many do not experience this. Women are usually free of symptoms for some time. Untreated Gonorrhoea can cause serious internal pelvic damage to women as well as some other more rare complications in both men and women. It can be diagnosed with a simple test, and cured with antibiotics. However antibiotic resistance is a major problem. (For more details, refer to individual infection fact sheet) - Download PDF  SyphilisSyphilis is a bacterial infection caused by ‘Treponema pallidum’. It is relatively rare in developed countries. Most people with Syphilis have no symptoms. The disease is very complex and it may last for years, with a diverse range of health problems. Syphilis is very infectious in the early stages and it can be passed from a woman to her unborn child, causing death of the child. A diagnosis is not always straightforward and therefore regular monitoring is usually required. However, treatment with penicillin is very effective. - Download PDF
VirusesHuman Papilloma Virus (HPV) = "wart virus"There are over 100 types of human wart viruses, and at least 30 types that infect the genital and anal areas. Most infections are invisible and transmission occurs by direct ‘skin to skin’ contact between genital areas. These types of infections are very common. Research has shown that approximately 75% of people will have a genital HPV infection at some time in their life! Luckily most people's immune systems deal effectively with the virus and it causes no disease. Genital wart viruses are divided into two groups: 1) Low Risk HPV that cause visible warts on the skin 2) High Risk HPV that cause cancer and in particularly, cervical cancer It is important to realize that there are distinct types of HPV, and that even people with High Risk HPV rarely get cancer. Vaccines against some types of HPV are now available to prevent infections and reduce the chances of getting cervical cancer in women.
Herpes Simplex (HSV)
There are two types of Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Type 1 and Type 2. HSV-1 is extremely common. Approximately 75% of adults over the age of 25 in Western countries are infected, and in some developing countries 100% are infected. HSV -1 usually only causes the occasional cold sore on the mouth which can be treated with topical creams and tablets to speed up the healing. In most cases of HSV-1 infection it is usually just the oral area that is affected however in approximately 30% of cases genital areas can become infected. HSV-2 can cause recurrent blisters and sores around the genital areas, although most people do not know that they have it. Both infections are transmitted by direct ‘skin to skin’ contact with an infected area. Once someone is infected the virus stays in the body and symptoms can recur when the person’s immunity is low or when they are under stress. Anti-viral drugs can be used to reduce the duration of each attack, and can be helpful for people who suffer from repeated painful episodes. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. However people who test positively for HIV may never contract AIDS. AIDS is the final and most serious stage of HIV infection. HIV is transmitted in 3 ways: sexual intercourse, blood-to-blood, and mother-to child. - Download PDF Hepatitis B (HBV)Hepatitis B is a very common disease affecting the liver. It is prevalent worldwide but especially in Hong Kong and China where approximately 10-20% of the population are carriers. The most common route of transmission in adults is through sexual contact, but it can also be transmitted by blood, or from mother to child during pregnancy or delivery. Babies whose mothers’ are carriers are given vaccinations as well as immunoglobulin to prevent infection from their mothers. When children are infected, they usually become lifelong carriers, but most adults recover from the infection by themselves. For those people who become lifelong carriers, treatment is complex and expensive, and complications (such as cirrhosis, liver failure and liver cancer) may occur after years or decades. It can be effectively prevented by the hepatitis B vaccine. - For More Detail Hepatitis AThe Hepatitis A virus is usually transmitted by microscopic amounts of faeces. Occasionally it can be passed between sexual partners through sexual contact. - For More Detail Hepatitis CThe Hepatitis C virus is generally considered to be a blood-borne infection but sexual transmission is possible. Molluscum ContagiosumMolluscum contagiosum is an unpleasant but usually harmless skin condition that may occur in the genital area. It may also infect children who can get it in any area of the body, and they often pass it to their friends and siblings during normal social contact.
MiscellaneousTrichomonasTrichomonas vaginalis (TV) is a parasite that infects the vagina. It causes itch, pain and discharge. It is most common in Africa and some other tropical regions where healthcare is less adequate. Men generally carry the infection for a shorter period of time and appear asymptomatic. Pubic lice ("crabs")Tiny insects called ‘Phthiris pubis’ cling to the pubic hair (and other bodily hair) and cause intense itching. The lice fall from the pubic area of one person to another during sexual contact. The insects and their eggs are just visible to the naked eye, and can be eradicated with insecticide lotions and shampoos.
Infections that are not STIsCandidiasisCandidiasis or "thrush" is usually caused by a fungus called ‘Candida albicans’. The organism is found in many body sites and is an innocuous passenger most of the time. Women usually get thrush in the form of a vaginal discharge and/or itch around the vagina, whereas men tend to get a milder form of the disease under their foreskin. It is very common and often occurs without sexual transmission. Treatment is simple and is usually provided in the form of creams or tablets, however recurrences are very common. Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)Bacterial Vaginosis is probably the most common cause of vaginal discharge, but it is not well understood. It is often described as an imbalance in the types of bacteria that inhabit the vagina, although the cause of BV is more complex. The main symptom is a very strong odorous or smelly but thin vaginal discharge (the smell is often described as fishy). Most people think it is not sexually transmitted even if it can be triggered by sex. Men are not affected by BV. Many different species of bacteria can cause the disease, and treatment is usually with an antibiotic called Metronidazole. Recurrences are common and troublesome to women who suffer frequent episodes.
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