Screening for Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)

1. What is a sexually transmitted disease (STD)?

Sexually transmitted disease (also known as a social disease) is a group of diseases that are passed from person to person through sexual activities, including vaginal, oral, or anus. STD has only mild or fewer symptoms. That why we should screen STD especially for those who have sex and. 

- Bất kỳ ai có yếu tố nguy cơ, gồm: quan hệ tình dục với người lạ, có bạn tình mới, có nhiều bạn tình, bạn tình mắc bệnh lây truyền qua đường tình dục hoặc có các triệu chứng nghi ngờ mắc bệnh lây truyền qua đường tình dục đều nên được tầm soát các bệnh lây truyền qua đường tình dục.

2. Who and when should be screened for STD?

Anyone who has sex with strangers, new or multiple partners, or having symptoms suspected of having an infection should be screened. 

People who have been having sex should at least be screened for HIV.

All sexually active women under the age of 25 should be screened for gonorrhea and chlamydia at least once a year. Women are older than 25 years of age who have risk factors such as having a new sex partner, having multiple sex partners, or having sex partners who have a sexually transmitted disease should also be screened for gonorrhea and chlamydia once a year.

Pregnant women should be screened for syphilis, HIV, and hepatitis B early in pregnancy. Women with risk factors (as noted above) should be screened for gonorrhea and chlamydia early in pregnancy.

Men who are gay (gay) or bisexual (bisexual) should screen at least once a year for diseases: syphilis, gonorrhea, Chlamydia. People with multiple sexual partners or a stranger partner should be screened more often (every 3-6 months).

Anyone, regardless of gender or sexual orientation, if having unprotected sex or sharing injection equipment should be tested for HIV at least once a year.

3. Common sexually transmitted diseases

3.1. Chlamydia:

- Cause: transmitted mainly through sex, caused by bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis

- Method of transmission:

• Anyone can get chlamydia if they have sex (vaginal, anal, or oral sex) with someone who is infected with Chlamydia.

• If your partner is male, you can be infected even if he or she does not ejaculate.

• If you have been infected with Chlamydia and have been cured in the past, you can still re-infect if you have unprotected sex with someone who is infected with Chlamydia.

• Pregnant women infected with Chlamydia can pass the disease to the fetus.

- Symptom:

In women:

• 70% of women infected with Chlamydia have no symptoms.

• Symptoms if you have: abnormal vaginal discharge, burning pain when urinating, vaginal bleeding or bleeding between periods, bleeding after sex, pain or discomfort in your lower abdomen.

In men:

• 50% of men infected with Chlamydia have no symptoms.

• Symptoms if you have: severe pain while urinating, unusual urinary discharge, pain or discomfort in the tip of the penis.

- Symptoms: 

• Inflammation of the uterus and fallopian tubes in women. This complication can occur in 10-40% of women infected with Chlamydia and occur quietly, possibly years after infection without having any symptoms before.

• Chronic pelvic pain

• Increased risk of infertility (both men and women)

• Ectopic pregnancy

• Increased risk of miscarriage, premature birth or stillbirth in pregnant women infected with untreated Chlamydia.

• Children born to a mother infected with Chlamydia can get pneumonia or an eye infection caused by Chlamydia.

• Reactive arthritis caused by gonorrhea

3.2. Gonorrhea:

- Cause: is a disease transmitted mainly through sex, caused by bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae (also known as gonorrhea bacteria), causing disease mainly in the genital area. In addition, gonorrhea bacteria can cause disease in the throat and eyes.

- How it is transmitted: anyone can get gonorrhea if they have sex (through vaginal, anal, or oral sex) with an infected person.

- Symptom:

In women:

• 50% of women infected with gonorrhea have no symptoms

• In women with symptoms:

• 50% have an increase in vaginal discharge or abnormal changes in vaginal discharge

• 25% of abdominal pain

• Pain when urinating is easy to confuse with a common urinary tract infection

• Pain during sex

• Rarely: bleeding between menstrual periods, menstrual irregularities.

• Symptoms in another area: anal itching or sore throat if there is sexual contact in this area with someone who has gonorrhea.

In men: 90% of men with gonorrhea have symptoms. Urethritis is the typical gonorrhea symptom in men, usually appearing 5-7 days after having unprotected sex with an infected person. The signs are usually:

• Abnormal penile secretions. Occurs in at least 8 out of 10 men infected with gonorrhea.

• Burning when urinating.

• Urinary retention (a feeling of frequent urination)

• Redness of the flute (urinary tract)

• An infection of the anus and throat can occur if there is sexual contact in this area. Symptoms in these areas are often itchy, sore throat.

- Symptoms:

In women:

• Inflammation of the uterus, ovaries

• Infertility

• Ectopic pregnancy

• Miscarriage, premature birth

• Severe pelvic infections can spread to the liver

• Bartholin's abscess

• Babies born vaginally to gonorrhea mothers can develop eye infections from gonorrhea.

In men:

• Gonorrhea can spread from the urethra to the prostate gland, and can cause an infection of the testicles or the epididymis.

• Men who have sex with men can have gonorrhea in the anus or throat.

3.3. Hepatitis B, C:

According to WHO statistics from the Western Pacific region, in Vietnam, there are 7.8 million people with hepatitis B and 1 million people with hepatitis C. Hepatitis B and C cause nearly 80,000 cases of liver cancer and 40,000 deaths a year. One study found that nearly 90% of people with liver cancer were or are infected with the hepatitis B virus and / or C.

- Cause: Caused by Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C virus.

- Method of transmission:

• Mother to child

• Through blood

• Body fluids: such as semen or vaginal discharge. Unsafe sex (including oral sex) is a transmission route for the hepatitis B and C viruses.

- Symptom:

• Acute stage: only about 50% of hepatitis virus infections have symptoms. About 1-6 months after infection, infected people may feel tired, nausea, abdominal pain, fever, jaundice, dark urine, pale stools. These symptoms will go away after a few weeks even with no treatment.

• Chronic stage:

• 70% of people infected with the virus do not have symptoms, are known as carriers and can infect others. Approximately 20% of healthy carriers are able to clear the virus from the body without treatment.

• Some people carry the virus to develop hepatitis, called chronic viral hepatitis. Symptoms can be jaundice, muscle fatigue, loss of appetite, pain in the liver, ... with the level depending on the person.

• Some progress to cirrhosis or liver cancer.

- Currently available vaccines to prevent Hepatitis B virus.

3.4. Genital herpes

The disease is caused by Herpes Simplex Virus. 80% of people infected with genital herpes virus have no symptoms, or have symptoms but are transient or very mild. In these people, the virus will reside in an inactive form in the genital nerve roots, without causing any symptoms. However, people who do not have symptoms can still have the virus in the genital area, and therefore potentially transmit the disease through sexual intercourse.

Symptom:

• Symptoms at the first onset:

• Fatigue, mild fever

• Blisters grow in clusters in the genital area, anus. May grow in waves in 1-2 weeks. The blisters then rupture leaving behind shallow slips.

• Lymph nodes in the groin may be floating.

• In women: abnormal vaginal discharge can be seen, blisters may be difficult to observe if they grow in the cervix or sacs of the vagina.

Note: sometimes the first symptoms may appear long (monthly or yearly) after the first infection. That is why you can experience symptoms even when you have safe sex or have sex with someone who is not infected. You could have gotten it from a previous partner but don't know that person has it.

• Recurrence (2nd onwards): for some reason the virus may become active. Symptoms are generally milder and shorter than the first symptom.

• A stinging and itching sensation in the genital area.

• Blisters grow in clusters with similar properties during the first outbreak.

Note: blisters are viral and very contagious. Therefore, during the period of blisters, limit sexual intercourse. If you do have sex, using a condom may not fully protect you because blisters or bumps may be present in areas not covered by the condom.

*** Screening for HSV-1 and HSV-2 in the general population is not indicated

3.5. HIV

Human Immunodeficiency Viruses (HIV) can cause Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) if left untreated. HIV attacks the body's immune system, with the target being CD4 cells, a cell that helps the immune system fight off infections or infection-related cancers. With HIV suppressive therapy, HIV can be controlled, and people with HIV can live a long, healthy life.

HIV is spread mainly through body fluids such as blood, semen, pre-ejaculation mucus, anal fluid, vaginal fluids, and milk of HIV infected people. These secretions can come into contact with the damaged mucosa / skin or inject directly into a blood vessel. HIV is not spread through saliva. The main modes of transmission of HIV are: unprotected sex (in which anal sex has the highest risk), sharing needles with someone with HIV, transmission from mother to child (risk This muscle decreases in the treated mother).

Symptom: Within 2 to 4 weeks after infection, the infected person may feel tired and have flu-like symptoms that last for several weeks and then disappear. The next stage is silent and has almost no symptoms. Without treatment, the viral load begins to increase and the CD4 + cell count gradually decreases. The most severe stage of people with HIV is AIDS, when the CD4 + falls below 200 cells / mm. A person with AIDS can live for 3 years without treatment.

3.6. Genital warts (genital warts)

Genital warts, also known as genital warts, are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). There are more than 100 types of HPV that have been identified, of which the main causes of genital warts are HPV types 6 and 11. HPV types 16, 18, 31, 33 cause cancer of the cervix (can cause cancer). letter from other genital contact areas such as penis, anus, vulva, vagina). Common warts are caused by other types of HPV and are not sexually transmitted diseases.

- Genital warts are transmitted. HPV is spread by contact, mostly direct (skin to skin), or less often, indirectly (genital area that comes in contact with objects).

- Symptoms: usually one or several small papules in the genital area, slightly raised from the surface of the skin, flat or slightly fluffy.

- If left untreated, genital warts may go away on their own, or persist. In immunocompromised people, genital warts can increase in size and number.

Note:

- There is currently no approved test for HPV in men

- Some HPV types can cause genital warts. Others are linked to cancer of the cervix and other organs. There are HPV tests that can be used to screen for cervical cancer. These tests are recommended for screening in sexually active  women aged 25 years and old.

3.7. Syphilis

Syphilis is caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum, which is mainly sexually transmitted. An estimated 10.6 million new infections of syphilis are reported each year.

The first symptom of syphilis is usually a round or oval sore in the infected area of ​​the bacteria (the tip of the penis, mouth, throat, cervix ... are common areas). These sores are usually painless and go away on their own in about 2-6 weeks, even without treatment. This stage usually has lymphadenopathy near the ulcer.

If not treated, the syphilis bacteria will enter the bloodstream, multiply continuously and cause a series of symptoms in the skin, mucous membranes. If left untreated, the disease will enter a late stage with a series of complications in skeletal muscle, nervous system, blood vessels.

Pregnant women with syphilis, if left untreated, are more likely to have a miscarriage, stillbirth, death or many defects after birth.

3.8. Vaginitis caused by Trichomonas

Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted infection that is quite common in women.

The most common symptom is an abnormal vaginal discharge. Exudates are usually thin, abundant, foamy, yellow-green in color and foul-smelling. Other symptoms may be: vulvar itching, difficulty urinating, pain in the lower abdomen or pain during sex.

3.9. Một số bệnh lây truyền qua đường tình dục khác (ít phổ biến hơn): hạ cam mềm, bệnh hạt xoài, Mycoplasma, rận mu, ghẻ.

4. Sexually transmitted diseases screening at CarePlus

CarePlus is an international standard clinic system, 100% foreign invested and a member of Singapore Medical Group. CarePlus provides affordable, high-quality outpatient services and modern facilities.

4.1. Why should I get screened for sexually transmitted diseases at CarePlus?

• CarePlus is committed to providing customers with the most comfortable and lightest experience.

• Screening package for sexually transmitted diseases is specifically designed for each individual

• The items of detailed, complete and accurate examination include: clinical examination, imaging diagnosis and laboratory tests.

• Transparent and clear expenses on website, fanpage, directly at the clinic.

• Support for many different payment methods such as insurance payment, Easycare prepaid card, installment payment, and card payment.

• The team of doctors with high professional qualifications and experience. Counseling wholeheartedly, helping clients to reduce anxiety when going to medical examination and treatment.

To taking care of your health during COVID-19, CarePlus provides HEALTHCARE TELECONSULTATION SERVICES with doctor team in many specialties (cardiology, paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology, otolaryngology, dermatology, etc.). Sign up HERE

4.2. CarePlus International Clinic system and working hours:

In Ho Chi Minh City, customers can come to screen for sexually transmitted diseases at the following addresses:

• CarePlus Tan Binh Clinic: 107 Tan Hai, Ward 13, Tan Binh District, HCMC. (Next to Etown building)

• CarePlus Clinic District 7: 2nd Floor, Crescent Plaza, 105 Ton Dat Tien, Tan Phu Ward, District 7, City. HCM City. (Next to Crescent Lake)

Work time:

• Monday - Friday: 8am - 20pm.

• Saturday: 8am - 5pm.