STD Awarness month

Sexually transmitted infection (STI) is an infection that can be transferred from one person to another through sexual contact. Sometimes an infection can be transmitted Non-Sexually, such as from an infected mother to child, blood transfusion or shared needles, etc.
The causes of STDs are bacteria, parasites, yeast, and viruses. There are more than 30 types of STDs, including Chlamydia, Genital Herpes, HIV/AIDS, HPV, Syphilis, Trichomoniasis.
Most STDs affect both men and women, but in many cases, the health problems they cause can be more severe for women. If a pregnant woman has an STD, it can cause serious health problems for the baby.

STI/STD diagnosis by laboratory tests can identify the cause and detect co-infections you might have contracted.

• Blood tests: Blood tests can confirm the diagnosis of HIV or later stages of syphilis.
• Urine samples: Some STIs can be confirmed with a urine sample.
• Fluid samples: If you have active genital sores, testing fluid and samples from the sores may be done to diagnose the type of infection. Laboratory tests of material from a genital sore or discharge are used to diagnose some STIs.

DSS Imagetech provides the solution to diagnostics lab for diagnosis of many highly infected organisms. HIV/ AIDS, CT/NG and HPV genotyping diagnostics kits are available with the worldwide accepted kit from Abbott Molecular. DSS Imagetech also has collection vial and screening kit of HPV which help with the clinical management of STD patients.

People with STDs/STIs may feel ill and notice some of the following signs and symptoms:

• Unusual discharge from the penis or vagina
• Sores or warts on the genital area
• Painful or frequent urination
• Itching and redness in the genital area
• Blisters or sores in or around the mouth
• Abnormal vaginal odour
• Anal itching, soreness, or bleeding
• Abdominal pain
• Fever

Antibiotics can treat STDs caused by bacteria, yeast, or parasites. There is no cure for STDs caused by a virus, but medicines can often help with the symptoms and keep the disease under control.

Correct usage of latex condoms greatly reduces but does not completely eliminate the risk of catching or spreading STDs. The most reliable way to avoid infection is to not have anal, vaginal, or oral sex.