Help! I Think I May Have Caught Something
You have been dismissing it off as a 'jock itch' for some time now, but one day you discover strange sores or secretions around your private parts.
You might be tempted to ignore these symptoms or feel too embarrassed to seek help. But, don't wait, seek immediate consultation with a medical professional as you may have caught a sexually transmitted infection (STI), and early detection means early treatment.
Types of STI
Most STIs are treatable when detected early, so do not panic. Help is always available.
Here is a guide that could enable you to identify the disease, but remember it is vital to seek counsel from a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.
| If you experience | You could have | Which may lead to |
| Pain or burning while urinating | Chlamydia Gonorrhea Non-gonococcal urethritis |
Infertility Infertility Infertility |
| Unusual discharge from sex organs | Chlamydia Gonorrhea Non-gonococcal urethritis |
Infertility Infertility Infertility |
| Blisters or growth on the genital area | Genital herpes Genital warts |
Treatment can only relieve pain and discomfort, cannot prevent recurrence As above |
| Unexplained weight loss, extreme fatigue, fever | Syphilis HIV Infection or Aids |
Paralysis, blindness, insanity, heart disease, bone/joint deformity Lowered resistance to infections, even death |
| Abdominal pain or bleeding | Non-gonococcal urethritis | Infertility |
| Ulcers | Syphilis Genital herpes |
Paralysis, blindness, insanity, heart disease, bone/joint deformity Treatment can only relieve pain and discomfort, cannot prevent recurrence |
| Non-itchy rashes on palms, soles of feet and/ or body | Syphilis | Paralysis, blindness, insanity, heart disease, bone/joint deformity |
A person with bacteria STIs can be treated with medications and recover from the infections. However, people with viral STIs like genital warts, genital herpes and HIV infection can be treated but cannot be cured.
While most STIs can be treated if detected early, the bad news is that many do not present any early symptoms. STIs if left untreated can lead to other health issues in men like infertility problems, inflammation of the prostate and infection of other organs in your body. You can also pass the infection to others through unprotected sex.
STIs spread through unprotected sex. Some infections like genital herpes and genital warts are especially hard to prevent as even the regular use of condoms does not curb the spread of these infections. Therefore, your best insurance is to only have one sex partner, in a mutually faithful relationship.
Measures to take
Consult a doctor and get tested if you have had multiple sex partners as you are at high risk of contracting a STI. If you suspect that you might be infected, ease your doubts by testing early and you can start on your treatment, if necessary.
Don't gamble your future for momentary pleasures. Unprotected casual sex is never a good idea. Once is all it takes. Abstain from unprotected sex and practise monogamy with an uninfected partner to prevent getting a STI. If you're not sure who your partner has been with, or if you can't resist your hormonal urges, then use a condom. And use it correctly every time.
