Sexual contact between two individuals can result in various physical closeness, which may include touching, kissing, and intercourse. However, there is no guarantee that these activities will always lead to positive outcomes. One thing people need to consider before engaging in such behaviors is the possibility of acquiring sexually transmitted infections (STIs), which can affect their health and wellbeing if left untreated. This article discusses how STIs can be passed through various modes of transmission and offers some suggestions for prevention.
Passing from one person to another via skin-to-skin contact
The most common way for STIs to spread is when an infected individual comes into direct contact with a healthy individual's skin during close body-to-body contact, such as holding hands, cuddling, kissing, or even sharing utensils like a drinking glass or a towel. The human papillomavirus (HPV) is one example of an STI that can cause cervical cancer in women and genital warts in both men and women. It can pass via skin-to-skin contact, including the genitals, anal area, and mouth. Other STIs that can spread this way are herpes simplex virus (HSV), syphilis, molluscum contagiosum, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). HPV has been linked to increased risk of certain types of cancer, particularly cervical cancer in women, but it cannot transmit itself without any skin-to-skin contact.
Transmission through vaginal fluids or semen
Another route by which STIs spread is vaginal fluid or semen. Gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomoniasis, and syphilis are examples of these types of diseases. They can be contracted through vaginal sex, oral sex, or rectal intercourse. The risk of acquiring gonorrhea or chlamydia increases if a man ejaculates inside his partner's urethra, vagina, or anus. On the other hand, syphilis can also spread from mother to child during pregnancy. Trichomoniasis, another parasite, can only spread through vaginal sex; however, it does not involve skin-to-skin contact.
STIs passed by blood exchange
Blood exchange is another method for transmitting STIs. For instance, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV can all pass through infected needles used for injecting drugs, body piercing, or tattoos. These infections can remain dormant in the body for many years without causing symptoms before showing up later on, so people may not realize they have them until it is too late. Hepatitis B can also be transmitted via blood transfusion, even though this has become rare since widespread screening started in 1987.
Skin-to-skin contact involving genitals
Some STIs can spread through direct skin-to-skin contact with the genital area. Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is one such example, which usually affects the mouth or genital region. However, it is possible to acquire the disease anywhere on the body. It is most commonly transmitted through sexual activities like oral sex or vaginal intercourse, but it can also spread through kissing or sharing personal items like towels or razors. Genital herpes causes painful blisters that burst and leave scars after a few days. It can cause further health problems if left untreated, including blindness, encephalitis, meningitis, and neonatal deaths in babies born to mothers infected with the virus. HPV, on the other hand, causes genital warts that are small and flesh-colored growths around the genital or anal areas. They are not always harmful, but they can increase the risk of cervical cancer in women and penile cancer in men.
Preventive measures against STI transmission
To prevent acquiring an STI, individuals should abstain from engaging in risky behaviors, especially unprotected sex. Additionally, using condoms during sexual intercourse can help reduce the chances of contracting these diseases. Abstaining from sharing needles and personal items can also lower the risk of blood-borne diseases. Those who suspect they have been exposed to an STI should seek medical attention immediately for testing and treatment.