STI

Sexually Transmitted Infections are infections that are mainly transmitted during sexual intercourse. 

Sexual intercourse" means any penetrative or non-penetrative sexual contact (vaginal and anal penetration, fellatio, cunnilingus, anilingus and sexual fondling).

Everyone is at risk of contracting an STI at some point in their lives, and even more so if they are sexually active.

Infections may have symptoms, but they don't usually. Diseases, on the other hand, are defined by the appearance of symptoms.

It is therefore important to multiply the means of prevention to reduce transmission and health consequences.

- Get vaccinated against hepatitis A & B and HPV.

- Protect yourself by using protective devices; 

- Get screened regularly;

- In the event of a positive diagnosis, follow your treatments;

- Tell your partners if you test positive.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) result from bacteria, viruses or parasites and are mainly transmitted during penetrative or non-penetrative sex.

Below you'll find a table summarizing the risk practices for each Sexually Transmitted Infection. Don't hesitate to consult the page for each STI for more details on modes of transmission.

STIs are never transmitted by contact with surfaces such as toilet seats, swimming pools or saunas, or by the exchange of saliva (kissing, drinking from the same glass).

• Ask a health professional for advice. Do not use ointments, disinfectants or antibiotics without medical advice.
• Follow the treatment to the end. Follow the prescribed dose and duration of treatment to get the most effective treatment possible.
• During treatment, continue to use protection with your partners.
• Warn your partners. It's essential that everyone is screened and treated in time to limit the risk of reinfection and break the chain of transmission.
• Once cured, continue to protect yourself if you have multiple partners, as a new infection is always possible.

Unfortunately, most symptomatic STIs cannot be cured on their own. However, effective treatments are available to prevent transmission, halt their progress and/or bring about a cure. If neglected, STIs can lead to complications that are more difficult to treat, with consequences such as sterility, blindness, cancer, reduced immunity and even death.

STIs often have no symptoms, so you can never be sure that you haven't been infected by one or more STIs unless you protect yourself and get tested regularly.

STIs have multiple symptoms, which can often be confused with those of other infections and diseases.

It's important to know your body and be able to detect any unusual changes in your genital and anal areas. These changes can be :

• Unusual discharge from the vagina, penis or anus
• Unusual smells
• rashes
• pain and itching
• pimples or chancre
• burning sensation when urinating

Other symptoms may appear, but screening is necessary to distinguish them from the symptoms of other infections and diseases.

sources : 
World Health Organization: WHO. (2024, May 21). Sexually transmitted infections (STI). https://www.who.int/fr/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/sexually-transmitted-infections-(stis)
Sexually transmitted infections (STI). (s. d.). sciensano.be. https://www.sciensano.be/fr/sujets-sante/infection-sexuellement-transmissible-ist#les-ist-les-plus-fr-quemment-diagnostiqu-es