15/05/2025
5 MOST COMMON STIs TO WATCH OUT FOR
Sexually transmitted infections are more common than given credit for.
More importantly, these infections can be asymptomatic and go unnoticed till they cause complications.
How do you prevent getting infected?
What signs do you watch for?
CHLAMYDIA
Top of the list is chlamydia.
Chlamydia is one of the most common STIs worldwide, especially among young people aged 15-24.
It is caused by a bacteria called Chlamydia Trachomatis, and spreads mainly through vaginal, a**l or oral s*x.
Chlamydia is mostly asymptomatic, but when symptoms appear they include:
- Pain during urination
- Unusual vaginal or pe**le discharge
- Pelvic pain or pain during s*x
- Bleeding between periods
- Testicular pain (for men)
GONORRHEA
Also known as “the clap”, gonorrhea is also a common STI caused by the bacteria Neisseria Gonorrhoeae.
Like chlamydia, it presents with little or no symptoms and people can be carriers of this infection with no clue whatsoever.
When symptoms appear, they include:
- Burning sensation while urinating
- White, yellow or green discharge
- Painful or swollen testicles (men)
- Vaginal bleeding between periods
- Re**al discomfort.
HUMAN PAPILLOMA VIRUS
HPV is the most common s*xually transmitted infection globally.
It is a virus with over 100 strains, low risk strains causing ge***al warts and high risk strains leading to cervical or a**l cancers.
Most people would contract this virus, and be asymptomatic.
However, a manifestation of low risk strains of the virus is the presence of ge***al or a**l warts.
High risk strains hardly show symptoms till they turn cancerous.
HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS (HSV)
This virus is often mistaken for the HPV, but they’re entirely different viruses.
There’re 2 types of HSV:
- HSV 1 that commonly cause cold sores
- HSV 2 that cause ge***al herpes.
Herpes is very contagious, even when there’re no physical sores and it stays in the body for life.
Symptoms include:
- Painful blisters or sores around the mouth or ge***als
- Itching, tingling before sores appear
- Flu like symptoms during first outbreak.
HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS (HIV)
HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system and gradually weakens the body’s ability to fight infections.
If left untreated, it can lead to AIDS which is fatal.
Symptoms:
- HIV presents with flu like symptoms in early stages, followed by a long asymptomatic period.
In later stages, there is:
- Weight loss
- Fever and fatigue
- Recurrent infections
- Co-morbid conditions like tuberculosis and Kaposi’s sarcoma.
WHAT ARE THE COMPLICATIONS OF THESE INFECTIONS?
• Chlamydia and Gonorrhea
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Infertility in both s*xes
- Joint infections
- Increased risk of HIV transmission.
• Human papilloma virus
- Cervical, a**l, pe**le and vaginal cancers
- Ge***al warts
- Respiratory papillomatosis (rare)
- Risk of infertility
• Herpes Simplex Virus
- Recurrent outbreaks (stays in the body for life)
- Neonatal herpes in newborns (transmitted from the mother)
- Herpes encephalitis (brain infection)
- Anxiety and depression
• Human Immunodeficiency Virus
- Progression to AIDS
Opportunistic infections like:
- Tuberculosis
- Toxoplasmosis
- Candidiasis
- Cytomegalovirus
- Certain cancers
- Memory loss
- Heart and kidney disease
- Wasting syndrome.
These complications are serious and can lead to a severely unsatisfactory quality of life.
HOW DO YOU PREVENT THESE INFECTIONS?
- Consistent and regular use of condoms
- Mutual monogamy (agreement between partners)
- Regular screening for infections
- Getting vaccinated (For HPV)
- Getting Pap smears and HPV tests
- Avoid s*xual contact during HSV outbreaks
- Never share needles or sharp objects
- For HIV (PrEP to prevent contracting it and PEP for emergency treatment 72 hours after exposure.
KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!
Many STDs can be silent, but that doesn’t mean they’re harmless.
The good news? Most are preventable, treatable, or manageable.
- Don’t wait for symptoms—get tested regularly.
- Communicate with your partner.
- Practice safe s*x.
- Vaccinate where available.
Your s*xual health matters.
Protect it, because it’s a reflection of your overall well-being.
Reach out to us for herbal medicine that can cure these viruses permanently
WhatsApp: 0916 019 6249
Dr.colleherbalhome@gmail.com
