Sexually transmitted infections in Singapore are becoming more and more common. Prevention through use of condoms and water-based lubricants is key.
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There are several different infections that can be transmitted through sex. Some cause symptoms on the genitals themselves, some cause symptoms within the reproductive or urinary tract, and others cause symptoms in other parts of the body.
Symptoms on the Genitals
Infections that cause symptoms on the genitals include genital warts, molluscum contagiosum, genital herpes, and syphilis. Genital warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). (Other types of HPV cause cervical cancer in women.) The body eventually clears the infection on its own, but for those who don’t want to wait, removal of the warts by a doctor is possible.
Syphilis is the most serious infection in this category. It’s caused by a bacterium. A sore appears on the genitals; it clears up on its own, but the bacteria enter other parts of the body, leading to severe symptoms in the brain, spinal cord, heart, blood vessels, and elsehwere. Antibiotics can get rid of these bacteria, but can’t fix the damage they’ve already caused.
Molluscum contagiosum is also caused by a virus, which is called molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV). It causes small, flesh-colored growths on the skin of the infected area. Again, these will eventually clear up on their own, but can be removed by a doctor if you don’t want to wait. They can occur on the genitals, or on other parts of the body.
Genital herpes, caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV), leads to the development of sores on the genitals. It can also be spread to the mouth, with sores appearing on the lips and inside the cheeks. While the sores clear up within two weeks, the virus lives on in the body, and sores can reappear many times throughout life. There’s no way to rid the body of HSV.
Symptoms Inside the Body
Infections that cause symptoms within the reproductive or urinary tract include gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomoniasis, and candidiasis. Gonorrhea and chlamydia are caused by bacteria. They cause discharge from the genitals and burning while urinating, and if untreated, can enter the deeper parts of the reproductive tract and cause infertility. Trichomoniasis is caused by a single-celled parasite; it primarily causes itching and discharge from the vagina, although it can cause problems with a pregnancy in an infected mother. Candidiasis, also known as a yeast infection, also causes itching and discharge. It’s caused by the overgrowth of a yeast that normally occurs at low levels in the vagina. Any of these infections can be effectively treated with antibiotics.
Infections of the Rest of the Body
Infections that cause symptoms in other parts of the body include HIV and hepatitis B. These are the most serious STIs; either infection can be fatal. They can also enter the body through contaminated needles (such as sharing during drug use or in a healthcare setting), or be passed from mother to child. HIV damages the immune system, leaving the patient vulnerable to other infections, which are eventually fatal; it can be managed with medications, but cannot be cured. Hepatitis B damages the liver, which can cause liver failure, cirrhosis, or liver cancer; it’s sometimes cleared by the body’s immune system, but it can become a lifelong chronic infection that’s very difficult to eradicate.
References
Sexually transmitted at Shim Clinic, Singapore