Many sexually transmitted diseases can be spread through casual, skin-to-skin contact, if not detected and treated promptly, causing dangerous complications.
Anyone who is sexually active can get a sexually transmitted infection (STI), even people who are not at high risk. Many diseases have no symptoms for a long time, so the patient does not know. This is why regular STI screening is so important, especially for people with multiple sexual partners.
STIs can be transmitted through the skin
Just because you’ve never had vaginal sex doesn’t mean you can’t get an STI. Diseases caused by human papilloma virus (HPV), herpes virus (HSV), and syphilis can be spread through skin-to-skin contact.
The oral herpes virus can even be transmitted through casual contact between family members. Oral herpes is usually caused by the HSV-1 strain, while HSV-2 causes genital herpes. Many people with oral herpes have been infected since childhood. Cold sores caused by HSV-1 can be spread to the genitals during oral sex.
Being faithful can still cause disease
People who are married or monogamous with another person often feel no need to get tested for STIs. However, this may be true if they are screened for sexually transmitted diseases before they start having sex.
Many people do not know they are infected, so when symptoms appear years later, it affects their relationship. Screening before starting sex can help you and your partner clearly understand your health status and avoid doubts.
Dermatologist – Skin Aesthetics specialist, Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, in a training session on syphilis. Image: Hospital provided
No symptoms
Not having symptoms does not mean not having an STI. According to the UK National Health Service, up to 70% of women with chlamydia have no symptoms. At this time, the sick person can still transmit the disease to others. One of the best ways to avoid transmitting disease is to get tested for STIs and get treatment if needed.
Prevention is never too late
Some people don’t bother getting tested for STIs while they’re having sex, or even have unprotected sex, because they think it’s too late to prevent the disease. However, not all of these diseases are transmitted every time an infected person has sex. Therefore, it is never too late to get tested or have safe sex.
Many health complications
Only when tested and diagnosed with an STI can the patient receive treatment. Some diseases such as syphilis can be completely cured if treated early. If not detected promptly, the longer the disease lasts, the more difficult it is to treat, which can cause long-term health problems. For example, gonorrhea and chlamydia in women can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, scarring of the fallopian tubes, and the risk of infertility or ectopic pregnancy.
Late-stage syphilis causes a lot of damage to the brain, nervous system, eyes, heart, blood vessels, liver, bones and joints, leading to dangerous complications such as paralysis, blindness, deafness, dementia, and paralysis. positive. Patients can suffer permanent organ damage and death.
A mother with syphilis can also transmit the disease to her child during pregnancy or birth. This is called congenital syphilis. If left untreated, there is a high risk of stillbirth and death of the newborn. When detected early, many sexually transmitted diseases can be treated before they cause permanent health effects.