In Singapore, sexually transmitted diseases are often treatable. Some can be prevented with vaccines, while others can only be prevented by safe sexual behavior.
Keywords: sexually transmitted disease, sexually transmitted disease in Singapore, Singapore sexually transmitted disease, std, std in Singapore, Singapore std
Sexually transmitted diseases are common in Singapore and around the world. The severity and ease of treatment varies widely.
Diagnosis of STDs
STDs can be diagnosed in several ways. Urine tests are used for some, such as gonorrhea and chlamydia. Blood tests are used for others, such as HIV. In some cases, saliva tests are available; HIV can also be diagnosed in this way. All of these tests are useful for screening for STDs in people who aren’t having symptoms, as well as for diagnosing those who are experiencing symptoms. If you’re sexually active and not monogamous, it’s recommended that you seek screening for STDs once a year, even if you have no symptoms.
In those who have discharge, a swab of the discharge is commonly used to determine the cause. If sores are present, a swab of the fluid from the sore is useful. If you have sores on the genitals or anus, discharge from the penis or vagina, burning during urination, pelvic pain, or other symptoms in the genitals or urinary tract, then you should consult a doctor to be tested for STDs.
Treatment of STDs
In some cases, STDs are easily treated. For syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomoniasis, and candidiasis, a single dose of an antibiotic or a course of antibiotics lasting about a week is usually enough to cure the infection. While any previous damage will often be permanent, the infection is usually completely eradicated by the treatment. This is why early treatment is best, so the bacteria can be killed before they cause damage.
However, some STDs cannot be so easily treated. Herpes, genital warts, HIV, and hepatitis B are all caused by viruses, which makes them difficult to treat. Herpes causes repeated outbreaks throughout life; antiviral medication can reduce the frequency and severity of the infection, but can’t clear it out of the body. The body will clear the virus that causes genital warts, but it can take more than a year; removal of the warts is possible, but the virus can’t be eradicated with medication. HIV can be managed with medication but is a lifelong infection. Hepatitis B is sometimes cleared by the body, but if it becomes chronic, then treatment is very difficult; often, it’s impossible to clear out the virus completely.
Prevention of STDs
A few STDs can be prevented with vaccines. There is an excellent hepatitis B vaccine available; in Singapore, it’s recommended for all newborns and anyone else at high risk of getting hepatitis B (such as healthcare workers, intravenous drug users, or those who have frequent unprotected sex with new partners). There is also a vaccine against HPV, which causes genital warts; the vaccine does prevent warts, but is primarily intended to prevent cervical cancer, which can also be caused by HPV. It’s recommended for all sexually active adults.
While vaccines against other STDs, such as HIV, are under development, there are currently no other vaccines available. This makes condoms your only method of prevention. Use latex condoms with a water-based lubricant (such as Astroglide or K-Y Jelly) every single time you have sex, unless both you and your partner are monogamous and have been screened for STDs.
References