STI Screening
Sexually Transmitted Infections
The most prominent STI would be HIV, which a lot of people would be aware of this. There are many other STIs that can affect millions of women and men each year. A lot of STIs have no symptoms at all, especially in women. If the symptoms do develop, a lot of people may confuse these with other diseases that may not have been transmitted through sexual contact. Sexually transmitted infections are still transmitted from person to person even if there are no symptoms. Women would tend to get more severe health problems to men. Below we have put some information in relation to the most common STIs. We offer our screening services at our Dublin clinic from Monday to Friday.
Genital Herpes is a common STD (sexually transmitted disease). This type of STD is caused by two types of viruses. The viruses are type 1 which is HSV-1 and 2 known as (HSV-2). The virus HSV-2 causes a lot of the infections. Most people with the virus don’t get any signs or have any symptoms from HSV-1 or HSV-2 infections. When the symptoms arise 1 or further blisters will arise on or near the genital or anal area. These bubble blisters will become sore and break and will take up to 2 or 4 weeks to heal the first time that the occur. If you get another outbreak of herpes, it could take up to weeks or months for them to heal. Some people who have the virus will get decreased outbreaks over their life time.
Syphilis is a common sexually transmitted disease and is caused by a type of bacteria known as bacterium Treponema pallidum. It is often been known as the great imitator because a lot of its signs and symptoms are similar to other types diseases.
Gonorrhea is a well-known sexually transmitted disease and is produced by the bacteria Neisseria Gonorrhoeae. This type of bacterium affects warm and clammy areas of the body in the reproductive tract area which would include the cervix, fallopian tubes, and uterus in women. It can also affect the urethra duct in both males and females. It cis also known to grow and cause problems in the throat, mouth, anus, and the eyes.
Genital HPV (human papillomavirus) infection is a common sexually transmitted disease which is associated with the Human Papillomavirus. There are more than one hundred diverse types and strains of this HP virus. A further 30 of this virus type are passed through intercourse and can cause infection in the male and female genital areas including penis skin, the vulva vaginal area, the anus, and the insert of the vagina or cervix. A lot of people who have developed the infection will not get or have any symptoms or clear the infection by themselves without treatment. Some of the viruses are high risk and could cause abnormal Pap tests. This type of infection can also cause cancer of the cervix, vagina, penis, anus, and vulva. There are other low-risk types which would cause minor Pap test abnormalities or genital warts. Genital warts are cauliflower-shaped growths and can grow in singular or multiple. Testing for the infections will help the healthcare service to know whether further tests or treatment is needed.
Chlamydia is a common STD that can affect both men and women. It is caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis. This type of infection can cause damage to a women’s reproductive organs. Most people who are infected have symptoms that are usually minor or none. Chlamydia can cause serious health problems later which could be irreversible, these would include infertility in women. Most men who are infected with the disease may get discharge from the penis.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) was reported for the first time in the US in the year 1981 and has since then become globally rampant. Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome comes from the HIV virus which stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. The HIV virus attacks the immune system, killing our natural defence system. It gradually breaks down the body’s capability to attack infections and different cancers. If you have received a diagnosis of AIDS, there are lifetime threatening diseases which are known as opportunistic infections, these are called microbes such as viruses or bacteria and will not make healthy people sick. HIV is usually spread through sex that is unprotected with an infected person and it can enter through the penis lining, anus, vagina and mouth.