Silent but deadly STIs affecting women

23 Aug, 2015 - 00:08 0 Views
Silent but deadly STIs affecting women

The Sunday Mail

There are “silent” sexually transmitted infections that are haunting women, usually leading to infertility, ectopic pregnancy, premature births and pelvic inflammatory, it has emerged.

While other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) show common signs and symptoms like vaginal discharges, genital ulcers, lower abdominal pains and pain during intercourse or urinating a few days after infection, health experts have revealed that some women are unknowingly suffering from silent STIs.

These infections include chlamydial, trichomoniasis, genital human papillomavirus (HPV) and bacterial vaginosis (BV), among others.

One of the local medical experts, Dr Steven Ndlovu, said chlamydial is the most common infection that leads to bareness. Chlamydia is defined as a common sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the bacterium ‘chlamydia trachomatis’.

“Chlamydia does not show any signs and symptoms in women but the infection can lead to serious complications which cause irreversible damages like infertility,” said Dr Ndlovu.

“The infection can also cause inflammation in the fallopian tube that will eventually create a blockage which can prevent eggs from the ovary to move to the womb for fertilisation.

“This can occur before a woman even recognises her problem.

“Infants born to mothers with untreated chlamydial infection will develop some serious eye infection which can lead to blindness if not treated early,” he said.

Dr Ndlovu said untreated chlamydial infections develop symptomatic inflammatory diseases on the ovaries, uterine tubes and vagina trek (pelvic organs).

“Women who have had pelvic inflammatory disease at one point in their lifetime have a greater chance of developing an ectopic pregnancy than those who have not,” he added.

Ectopic pregnancy occurs when the foetus develops outside the womb, typically in a fallopian tube.

The condition usually results in death. Unfortunately, most women who are susceptible to the condition only get to know about it when they try to have a baby.

A Harare-based gynaecologist who preferred to comment on condition of anonymity said untreated chlamydial can also cause premature deliveries.

“Infants who are born to infected mothers are at risk of getting chlamydial infections in their eyes and respiratory tracts,” he said.

“Chlamydia is a leading cause of early infant pneumonia and conjunctivitis or pink eye in newborns. On the other hand, the infected mothers have high chances of contracting HIV if they indulge in unprotected sex with infected partners.”

As such, the World Health Organisation recommends that women be screened annually for the silent STIs to overcome severe effects.

Chlamydia can be detected with a simple urine test and is treated by antibiotics. These are often unavailable or too expensive such that most women cannot access them.

However, in some cases, chlamydia can show signs and symptoms. These may include rectal pain, discharge and bleeding after anal sexual intercourse.

Infection with genital human pilloma-virus (HPV) can lead to the development of genital cancers, particularly cervical cancer in women.

“HPV is sexually transmitted and it has severe repercussions on females, leaving males being only carriers of the virus,” said National Cancer Alliance of Zimbabwe, executive director Dr Nelson Ngwaru.

“The HPV mainly affects the cervix. lt creates an environment for cancerous cells within the cervix, thereby causing cervical cancer.

“During the time where the cancer spreads, some women may still have no signs or symptoms.

“In many cases, the woman can never know she is infected unless she is screened. Some women may realise when the cancer is already in its late stages when it causes bleeding.”

He urged women to constantly go for cervical cancer screening.

Trichomoniasis is caused by the single-celled protozoan parasite, trichomonas vaginalis, which commonly infects the vagina.

“National Aids Council monitoring and evaluation manager, Mr Amon Mpofu, said the presence of the parasite can increase chances of HIV transmission.

“Some females may not know that they have the parasite and yet the infection would have caused small ulcers on their vulvas. In some cases, the parasite causes small red ulcerations on vaginal wall or cervix but without any itchiness like other STIs.

“Trichomoniasis can usually be cured with the prescription drug, metronidazole. These ulcers create an easy path for HIV to penetrate if a woman sleeps with an HIV-infected partner.”

He said trichomoniasis requires a physical examination and a laboratory test to diagnose the parasite.

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