ABC: Sexually transmitted diseases

Do you know that syphilis is back to being widespread in Italy and the risk of contracting it increases more and more? This disease is caused by a bacterium that reproduces itself in the mucous membranes of the genitals and in the mouth. The infection occurs during unprotected genital, anal or oral sex. The infection could develop through three steps: Primary, takes place after 3-4 weeks after infection and causes an injury, like a wound that has no symptoms. In women it appeared mostly on the labia and vagina, while in man are often localized on the penis, the foreskin…

Il preservativo ci protegge da tutte le malattie sessualmente trasmissibili? Nella maggior parte dei casi si. Tuttavia ci sono alcuni virus, come ad esempio il Papillomavirus (HPV), che possono colpire anche aree della pelle non coperte dal profilattico e quindi trasmettersi durante i rapporti protetti. E’ per questa ragione che l’infezione da HPV è l’infezione a trasmissione sessuale più diffusa in Italia e nel resto del mondo. Vi sono più di 40 tipi diversi del virus HPV e la comunità scientifica distingue tra ceppi a basso ed alto rischio. La maggior parte di quelli a basso rischio provocano nella quasi…

There is only one way to know if you have been infected with HIV: undergo a specific test through a normal blood sample. To perform the test, you don’t need a prescription. The test is free and anonymous and the test result is communicated exclusively to the person who made it. Foreign people, even if they have no residence permit, may take the test under the same conditions as Italian citizens. Should I get tested for HIV? If you had unprotected sex If you use drug through syringes If you are the sexual partners of a person who belongs to…

There are false information about the ways in which HIV is transmitted. Let’s see some. – Shaking hands with a person who has contracted the virus (HIV), hug, drink from his own glass means getting sick? The answer is absolutely NO. The skin is not a vehicle of transmission, nor are the clothes we wear. For this we can say that the virus is not transmitted through: handshakes, hugs, clothing; saliva, coughing, tears, sweat, urine, feces and kisses (unless there are no obvious wounds in the mouth or bleeding gums) glasses, silverware, dishes, sanitary towels and sheets; insect bites. In…

Do you think that HIV and AIDS are the same thing? Wrong! In fact, AIDS is the full-blown stage of infection caused by HIV. The HIV affects particular cells of the immune system, that causing a progressive weakening of the immune system (immunosuppression), which will lead consequently to develop a series of infections. The infected person, not being in fact more able with their immune system, to “defend” adequately by bacteria, fungi and viruses, can be affected therefore by a series of diseases. How is HIV transmitted? There are three different transmission modes: Unprotected sex Sex, heterosexual or homosexual type,…

You’ve certainly seen a person having a Herpes in the lips but do you know that herpes can also manifest in the genitals? Genital Herpes, unlike herpes labialis, is an infection that is transmitted during unprotected sex by direct contact with infected mucous membranes. It affects about 8% of the general adult population and more frequently men. Its high transmission depends on the fact that the virus is transmitted easily during the asymptomatic period, when aren’t visible lesions in the genitals. Typically, most people with genital herpes don’t have symptoms, nor particularly obvious injuries. In other cases, on the contrary,…

Did you know Gonorrhea? Gonorrhea is poorly understood but is widespread. It is caused by a bacterium that is transmitted during unprotected sex with people who have already contracted the disease. The bacteria responsible for gonorrhea causes infections of the rectum, cervix, anus or mouth. Symptoms usually appear after 1-3 days after infection and tend gradually to disappear. Man is most assists of white-yellowish secretions, burning sensation when urinating and voltage to the testicles. In women, however, the most common symptoms are pain and burning sensation when urinating, increased vaginal discharge and in some cases vaginal bleeding between menstrual cycle…