Popular science knowledge of STD prevention and control

Key points of knowledge about STD prevention and control

1. Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are a group of infectious diseases with sexual contact as the main mode of transmission, and their prevalence is widespread, ranking among the highest in the number of reports of infectious diseases in the mainland, and has become an important public health and social problem.

• Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are one of the most common infectious diseases in mainland China. In the past decade or so, the incidence of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in mainland China has been increasing year by year, and the infection rate is relatively high among people who engage in prostitution, multiple sexual partners, and men who have sex with men.
• The damage to human health caused by STDs is manifold. If the infection of STDs is not detected and treated in time, it can not only damage the reproductive organs and cause infertility, but also can be transmitted to the fetus or newborn, and some STDs can also cause damage to multiple organs of the human body, resulting in disability and even death.
• STDs can be transmitted within the family. When one of the spouses is infected with an STD, it can be transmitted to the other through sex. Rarely, family members can become infected through contact with items contaminated with secretions from sexually transmitted patients.
• General contact between the workplace and public places (e.g., shaking hands, hugging, eating together, etc.) with a person with an STD does not transmit STDs.
• STDs are preventable and treatable. STDs can be prevented by adherence to safe sex, the vast majority of STDs can be cured with early and standardized treatment, and viral STDs can be clinically cured with aggressive treatment, but recurrence occurs.
• The human body has no lifelong immunity to STDs, and it is possible to re-infect even if STDs have been cured. Therefore, STDs still need to be prevented after they have been cured.

2. In addition to AIDS, the sexually transmitted diseases that the mainland is currently focusing on in the prevention and treatment of are syphilis, gonorrhea, genital chlamydia trachomatis infection, genital warts, and genital herpes.

• Syphilis and gonorrhea are notifiable infectious diseases in mainland China, and genital chlamydia trachomatis infection, genital warts and genital herpes are sexually transmitted diseases under key surveillance in mainland China.
• Syphilis is a chronic, systemic disease caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. Clinically, it can be divided into occult syphilis, primary syphilis, secondary syphilis and tertiary syphilis. Primary syphilis is characterized by a round, red, round, red, raised-edge, hard-base, painless ulcer at the site of sexual contact, often within 2 to 4 weeks of infection, known as a chancre. Secondary syphilis presents as a symmetrical, erythematous rash that is not painful or itchy, and is more common on the trunk, limbs, palms, or soles of the feet. Tertiary syphilis presents with mucocutaneous lesions, typically with nodular syphilis rash and gumma. Damage to multiple organs such as the brain, cardiovascular, bones, and eyes can also occur, and in severe cases, it can lead to disability and even death. Syphilis can also be infected with syphilis for a long time without obvious symptoms, which is called occult syphilis. Benthine penicillin and procaine penicillin are the preferred drugs for the treatment of syphilis, patients who are allergic to penicillin can choose tetracycline, erythromycin, etc., and pregnant women and children should avoid tetracyclines.
• Gonorrhea is a venereal disease caused by gonorrhea and mainly manifested by purulent infection of the genitourinary system. Gonorrhea is mainly manifested as urethritis in men and cervicitis and urethritis in women. The main symptoms are frequent urination, urgency, painful urination, pus from the urethral opening or purulent discharge from the cervical and vaginal openings. Women tend to have asymptomatic infections. Ceftriaxone and spectinomycin are the drugs of choice for the treatment of gonorrhea, but non-standard treatment not only does not cure gonorrhea, but also tends to develop drug resistance.
• Genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection is most common in men with urethritis and in women with cervicitis, but most infected patients have no obvious clinical symptoms. Male urethritis is manifested as frequent urination, urgency, painful urination, thin mucous discharge from the urethral meatus, female manifestations of cervical congestion, mucopurulent leucorrhea at the cervical opening, urinary urgency, frequent urination, painful urination and other symptoms of urinary tract infection, resulting in endometritis, manifested as persistent fever, menorrhagia, irregular vaginal bleeding, lower abdominal pain, etc. Antibiotics such as tetracyclines and erythromycin are effective. Pregnant women can be treated with azithromycin or erythromycin.
• Genital warts are venereal diseases caused by human papillomavirus infection of human skin and mucous membranes, and papillary, cauliflower-like growths appear on the genitals and anus. Genital warts are mainly transmitted by sexual contact, and skin contact with lesions and contaminated clothing and supplies may also cause transmission. Newborns can be infected with human papillomavirus through the birth canal of a pregnant woman with genital warts. It is usually treated with topical drugs or lasers, cryotherapy, etc., and regular follow-up examinations are required after treatment to detect and manage recurrence.
• Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease caused by herpes simplex virus infection of the skin and mucous membranes of the urinary genitals and anus. Genital herpes is mainly caused by herpes simplex virus type II, which is almost always transmitted through direct sexual contact. The main symptoms are blisters and ulcers in the genital area, accompanied by pain, and in severe cases, symptoms such as fever, myalgia, and headache may occur. Pregnant women with genital herpes can be transmitted to their newborns when they have blisters or rashes in the genital area during childbirth, and in severe cases, they can even lead to the death of newborns. Drug treatment such as acyclovir, valacyclovir, and famciclovir tablets can improve or even eliminate clinical symptoms, but they can recur.

3. Syphilis is a harmful and highly contagious sexually transmitted disease, which is transmitted through sexual contact, blood and mother-to-child, which can cause neurological, cardiovascular and other multi-system damage, and even endanger life.

• Since the end of the 90s of the 20th century, the number of syphilis infections in mainland China has increased significantly, showing a rapidly rising epidemic trend. In 2010, the number of reported cases of syphilis ranked third among the reports of Class A and B infectious diseases in mainland China.
• Syphilis is transmitted through sexual contact and blood, and can also be transmitted to the fetus or newborn through the placenta or during delivery, resulting in miscarriage, stillbirth, or neonatal syphilis.
• Free syphilis counseling and testing can be provided at voluntary HIV/AIDS counseling and testing clinics and community drug maintenance treatment clinics, and referral services are provided for those who test positive for syphilis.
• Pregnant women should be screened for syphilis within 3 months of pregnancy to detect the infected person in time; pregnant women with syphilis should receive standardized treatment and perinatal guidance in time to prevent neonatal congenital syphilis; pregnant women infected with syphilis should choose the appropriate way to feed their babies under the guidance of a doctor.
• In order to strengthen the prevention and control of syphilis, the Ministry of Health issued the Plan for the Prevention and Control of Syphilis in China (2010-2020) in 2010.

4. Patients with sexually transmitted diseases are more susceptible to HIV infection due to the damage and inflammation of the local skin and mucous membranes of the genitals, and timely curing of sexually transmitted diseases can reduce HIV infection and transmission.

• STDs such as syphilis, genital herpes, gonorrhea, and genital chlamydia trachomatis infection can cause damage and inflammation of the skin and mucous membranes of the genitals, making it easier to be infected and spread HIV.
• The key to preventing the spread of AIDS among STDs is to detect and treat STDs in a timely manner, minimize the course of the disease, cure STDs as soon as possible, repair the barrier function of the local skin and mucous membranes of the genitals, eliminate local inflammation, and reduce the risk of HIV infection.
• Patients with STDs should avoid sexual activity during the illness and treatment, and condoms must be used correctly if they have sex.

5. STDs can be prevented, and avoiding multiple sexual partners and putting an end to unsafe sex are the main preventive measures.

• Sexual morality, maintaining a single sexual partner, and avoiding premarital and extramarital sex are the cures for the prevention and control of sexually transmitted diseases.
• Cracking down on prostitution and other illegal acts, avoiding multiple sexual partners, and putting an end to unsafe sex are important measures to prevent and control sexually transmitted diseases at the source.
• By using condoms correctly, you can reduce the risk of contracting and spreading STDs.
• Practices such as vaginal lavage, ejaculation, misuse of antibiotics, and topical application of drugs are not effective in preventing STDs.

6. Many STDs have no obvious symptoms, and most STDs can be completely cured, the key is to take the initiative to seek medical treatment, timely detection, and early treatment.

• There may be no obvious clinical symptoms after an infectious disease, so it is important to take the initiative to seek medical attention and detect it in time.
• As long as it is detected early and standardized treatment is carried out in time, the vast majority of STDs can be controlled and clinically cured, effectively reducing the occurrence of sequelae and complications.
• If you have suspicious symptoms of venereal diseases such as urethral discharge, abnormal vaginal discharge, rash, genital ulceration, and blisters, you should go to a regular medical institution for examination in time.
• Due to the incubation period and asymptomatic infection of many sexually transmitted diseases, especially female patients, there are many asymptomatic patients, and if there are risky sexual behaviors, it is necessary to take the initiative to seek medical attention in time.
• People with multiple sexual partners, men who have sex with men, and others who are susceptible to sexually transmitted diseases should have regular medical examinations.
• Patients with sexually transmitted diseases should inform their sexual partners to go to a formal medical institution for examination as soon as possible to avoid mutual infection. Patients with sexually transmitted diseases should seek medical advice when considering marriage and childbearing.

7. Receiving standardized diagnosis and treatment in a formal medical institution can obtain the best treatment effect and obtain privacy protection.

• Formal medical institutions may provide standardized diagnosis and treatment for patients with venereal diseases, and protect patients' privacy in accordance with relevant national regulations. Patients with venereal diseases should not go to illegal medical institutions or seek treatment from traveling doctors, and should not treat themselves on their own.
• Patients with venereal diseases should follow the doctor's instructions for treatment, and do not stop the drug at will, change the type of drug or increase or decrease the drug dosage during the period, so as to avoid drug resistance and delay the disease.

 After treatment, they should be re-examined and followed up as required to observe the treatment effect, reduce the occurrence of complications and sequelae, and recover their health as soon as possible.

8. The prevention and control of sexually transmitted diseases is the common responsibility of the whole society.

• Sustained, extensive and in-depth publicity and education, popularization of STD prevention and control knowledge, and comprehensive intervention can effectively prevent and control STDs and promote social harmony.
• Everyone should know and master the basics of STD prevention, scientifically understand STDs, avoid unsafe sex, and pass on the knowledge and skills they have mastered to others.
• Adolescents are at an important stage of physical and mental development, and it is the common responsibility of families, schools, communities and society as a whole to strengthen sex education for adolescents and protect them from sexually transmitted diseases.
• STD patients are victims of the disease, and families and communities should create a friendly, understanding and healthy living environment for STD patients, and encourage them to adopt a positive and healthy attitude towards life and cooperate with treatment.
• Discrimination can lead to STDs not being treated in formal health facilities for fear of being exposed, delaying treatment, not controlling the spread of STDs, and endangering individuals, families and society.
• It is illegal to deliberately spread STDs and is subject to corresponding legal responsibility.

Source: Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Center for STD Control