Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are infections transmitted by having unprotected sex with an infected partner. STIs are some of the most common communicable diseases in Kenya, particularly among young people aged 15-24 years.Â
A sexually transmitted infection occurs when bacteria, viruses, or other disease-causing organisms pass from one person to another. The commonest STIs include HIV, chancroid, chlamydia, gonorrhoea, genital herpes, the human papilloma virus, syphilis, and trichomoniasis, to name a few.
STIs can have devastating health consequences, including pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, chronic abdominal pain, cervical cancer, and in some cases, death. In addition, some STIs can be transmitted to infants during pregnancy or birth.
It is possible to catch an STI even after only one act of sexual intercourse with an infected person.
Some STIs can no longer be treated successfully with the medicines that were used in the past, because the germs that cause the disease are now resistant to the medicines.
The risk factors for STIs include having a partner with an STI, having more than one partner, Having had a new partner during the last three months and suspecting a partner has other partners.
The Risk factors particularly for young people may be due to the fact that they lack information about how to prevent STIs, they are less likely to seek information or treatment due to fear, ignorance, or inexperience, the risk of acquiring an STI is greater at first exposure, adolescent females are more susceptible to infections than older women due to their immature reproductive organs, Early sexual experience can result in trauma to vaginal tissue, increasing adolescent women’s vulnerability to STIs and finally adolescents who begin sexual activity early are likely to have a greater number of lifetime sexual partners.
Other risk factors for STIs are unprotected sex (without a condom), Sex with multiple partners, Having a partner with STI symptoms, Sex with a new partner or more than one partner in the last three months, Sex with strangers, Sex in exchange for money or gifts, Vulnerability to sexual violence and abuse and a history of STIs or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
The symptoms of STIs may include redness or soreness of the genitals, pain at urination or cloudy or strong-smelling urine, a sore or blisters on or around the genitals, near the anus, or inside the mouth, excessive itching or a rash, abdominal cramping/pain, a slight fever and an overall sick feeling and/or a sexual partner with symptoms.
We can prevent STIs if we abstain from oral, anal and vaginal sexual intercourse through contact with an infected person’s bodily fluids.
If you have an STI, promptly seek medical treatment immediately and complete your treatment. Do not share your medicine with a partner or anyone else. Inform your sexual partner(s) and Strongly encourage them to get treatment. Abstain from sexual contact while infectious and abstain from sex or protect yourself every time you have sex.
Remember, prevention is better than cure.