The doctor told which sexual infections are especially dangerous this summer

The end of summer is the busiest time for dermatologists. The flow of patients with diseases that were previously considered indecent is increasing dramatically. According to expert estimates, about 10 times more people complain about the symptoms of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in August-September than on average in the rest of the year. And most often they are victims of resort or casual summer romances, which are so favored by warm weather, beach holidays and alcohol. In euphoria, lovers relax and turn off the instinct of self-preservation

The World Health Organization estimates that more than 1 million people worldwide are infected with sexually transmitted infections. Four infections account for 357 million cases each year – chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis or trichomoniasis.

As a dermatovenereologist, who wished to remain anonymous, told MK, with such formidable diseases as syphilis or gonorrhea, today colleagues of his profile do not encounter as often as in years past. Fortunately, when detected early, these infections are treatable. “At least, young doctors here have hardly ever seen a patient with end-stage syphilis live – only in pictures in medical school textbooks,” our expert says. In addition, he notes that if in Soviet times people with such diseases were “taken on a pencil”: all their contacts were checked, and sometimes they were reported at the place of work, today it is quite possible to go to a private clinic, undergo a course of treatment – and no one will know about anything. On the one hand, this is good, because the person himself feels safe. On the other hand, his partner, from whom he received a “gift”, or to whom he has already managed to pass it around, may remain completely unaware. To this day, the Criminal Code has an article “intentional infection with a venereal disease,” but almost no one applies it in practice. “So it is impossible to unconditionally believe the statistics, which indicate that there are fewer such diseases. We cannot relax and be sure that this problem will not affect us,” emphasizes our expert.

But with infections such as chlamydia, mycoplasmosis, candidiasis, gardenerellosis, ureaplasmosis, one has to deal quite often. Second-tier diseases that can be sexually transmitted also include herpes infections, human papillomavirus and toxoplasmosis. And the main flow of patients with them begins at the end of the holiday season. On average, the incubation period of these infections lasts a couple of weeks – and then clinical symptoms begin, which, as a rule, manifest themselves in the form of the appearance of strange secretions with an unpleasant odor from the genitals. Sometimes they are accompanied by pain, burning, less often – fever and general malaise. Therefore, in case of any incomprehensible discharge, it is better to visit a local dermatological clinic. Many of these infections gradually become chronic and threaten with very serious health problems. For example, ureaplasma can lead to the development of infertility, and human papillomavirus is one of the risk factors for developing genital cancers, including cervical cancer and prostate cancer.

Previously, STIs of the “second tier” were included in a special group – non-gonococcal urethritis. This included all sexually transmitted infections that could not be accurately identified by symptoms, because there was no reliable diagnosis. And now each pathogen is easy to calculate with the help of simple tests. There are DNA tests that allow you to get information about the nature of an infectious disease in just one day. In addition, there are molecular biological methods for testing for sexually transmitted infections, which are more sensitive, and this is important for the selection of more effective treatment. In general, laboratory diagnosis is quite simple – it is enough to donate blood and a smear. “It is necessary to diagnose such infections in a timely manner in order to avoid the development of ascending urethritis and prostatitis in men, as well as inflammatory diseases of the pelvic organs in women,” says the MK expert.

However, practice shows that in many cases such diseases have a latent course – and there are couples who live with them for years without suspecting anything. And then they are found by chance inspection. Most often this happens when a couple comes to be examined due to the inability to conceive a child. Examination for STIs is included in the standard diagnostics for searching for the causes of infertility and in cases of suspected pathology of the reproductive organs. “It happens that during the examination both the husband and the wife reveal a whole complex of conditionally pathogenic pathogens: enterococci, staphylococci. The partners did not even know about their presence: the woman did not change the nature and smell of the discharge, she believed that she was completely healthy. However, most often after a course of treatment, a woman has a long-awaited pregnancy. Due to the risk of an asymptomatic course, testing for STIs is indicated for couples when planning a pregnancy to prevent transmission of the infection to the fetus,” our speaker continues.

And he emphasizes that in the case of STIs, the main rule is that both partners should be treated. Although such situations are not uncommon, when a woman is faced with symptoms of thrush, runs to the pharmacy and buys an antifungal agent. Meanwhile, under the guise of candidiasis, ureaplasma, toxoplasma, enterococci can occur, and this requires a course of antibiotic therapy.

And, of course, do not forget about prevention. Barrier contraceptives will protect you not only from STIs, but also from other unpleasant surprises. If, nevertheless, passion has overshadowed your mind, keep in mind that many STIs do not make themselves felt for months, and some are asymptomatic even for years, gradually undermining your health. So if you still have an amorous adventure, it is better to go and be examined.