Diagnosis, care, prevention, keys to stop an infection

According to the latest estimates from the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 38 million sexually active people between the ages of 15 and 49 in the Americas have a Sexually Transmitted Infection easily curable (Chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and/or trichomoniasis).

In Mexico, according to figures from the Epidemiological Bulletin of the National Epidemiological Surveillance System of the Ministry of Health, at the end of 2021 there were considerable increases in cases of sexually transmitted infections, in relation to previous years.

While it is known that there are more than 30 different bacteria, viruses and parasites that are transmitted through sexual contact. In Mexico in particular, there are four diseases that have skyrocketed recently: acquired syphilis, chancroid, HPV (Papilloma), genital herpes and he HIV or human immunodeficiency virus.

“Sexual health is an issue that should concern us all and in which health institutions should take action on the matter. This starts, of course, with the right education at the right ages; however, it is necessary that there is a culture of diagnosis, care, prevention and early attention without prejudices”, explains Doctor Roberto Santos, medical director of Kabla.

In this sense, the Kabla team details the four main sexually transmitted diseases in Mexico:

acquired syphilis

There are currently more than 10,500 active cases of acquired syphilis in Mexico. However, it is a disease that can be easily detected with a blood test or a rapid test for the qualitative detection of antibodies. Both are easy to obtain and offer reliable results in a matter of hours.

soft canker

Soft chancre or chancroid is a disease caused by a bacterium, which presents as a lesion in genital areas. After an incubation period it transforms into an ulcer. It can be painful, uncomfortable, and constantly expel pus. Its diagnosis is given after analyzing a sample of the lesion to look for the bacteria that produces them.

Herpes genital

In Mexico there are more than 7,000 active cases of genital herpes and it is a disease that is transmitted easily and quickly. It can be easily diagnosed and identified with highly reliable PCR tests that provide fast results.

HIV

According to records from the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS, more than 37 million people worldwide are living with the human immunodeficiency virus. The figures for Mexico exceed 13,000 cases among the population.

It can be detected with the Antibody Test, a rapid, continuous flow, single-use in vitro qualitative immunoassay for the detection of antibodies in blood. In less than a minute it can deliver results with an accuracy greater than 99.6 percent.

Prevention

Today there are diagnostic devices of the highest precision that are used so that patients can have an accurate diagnosis and adequate follow-up to treat the disease.

“Sexual health is a public health issue of the highest relevance. For this reason, it is important to pay particular attention to the prevention of these diseases that can cause greater problems in the long term. There are various methods to identify them in the laboratory by different tests and methods, whether in groups considered at risk or the bulk of the population. Each confirmed and treated case has the potential to help stop new infections, so efforts should not be minimized. in terms of prevention and timely treatment ”, concludes the Doctor. Robert Santos.

How do I know if I have an infection?

Signs and symptoms that may indicate a sexually transmitted infection include:

• Sores or bumps on the genitals or in the oral or rectal area.

• Pain or burning when urinating.

• Discharge from the penis.

• Unusual or foul-smelling vaginal discharge.

• Unusual vaginal bleeding.

alba.servin@eleconomista.mx