Sexually transmitted diseases
The prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases has increased steadily over the past decade.
The main reasons for this are the increasing age of sexual debut, frequent partner changes and increasingly modern and life-prolonging treatments for HIV infection.
The latter has increased sexual freedom in both the homosexual and heterosexual populations, leading to an increase in sexually transmitted diseases.
Sexually transmitted diseases are most often caused by various viruses or bacteria, mainly through sexual contact (in any form), but also through blood.
STDs often insidiously cause no symptoms after infection and only later, at an advanced stage, can other symptoms (infertility, scarring, chronic pelvic pain) alert the presence of a STD.
The main reasons for this are the increasing age of sexual debut, frequent partner changes and increasingly modern and life-prolonging treatments for HIV infection.
The latter has increased sexual freedom in both the homosexual and heterosexual populations, leading to an increase in sexually transmitted diseases.
Sexually transmitted diseases are most often caused by various viruses or bacteria, mainly through sexual contact (in any form), but also through blood.
STDs often insidiously cause no symptoms after infection and only later, at an advanced stage, can other symptoms (infertility, scarring, chronic pelvic pain) alert the presence of a STD.
WHAT ARE THE TUNES?
Sexually transmitted pathogens that infect the rectum can cause a wide range of clinical symptoms.
The symptoms depend mainly on the type of pathogen.
Patients most often present to the proctology clinic with bloody, mucous or pus-filled stools, rectal pain, urgency, improductive bowel movements, abdominal pain, malaise, fever or temperature.
Sometimes the patient may feel a growth, a painful blister or an ulcer near the anus, which may also be associated with a sexually transmitted disease.
The symptoms depend mainly on the type of pathogen.
Patients most often present to the proctology clinic with bloody, mucous or pus-filled stools, rectal pain, urgency, improductive bowel movements, abdominal pain, malaise, fever or temperature.
Sometimes the patient may feel a growth, a painful blister or an ulcer near the anus, which may also be associated with a sexually transmitted disease.
DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT
In some cases, the clinical picture is clear and the diagnosis can be made on the basis of the course of the disease and the physical examination (e.g. painful blisters caused by herpes simplex virus or viral warts caused by HPV).
If the infection has spread to the inner surface of the rectum and has developed into rectal inflammation or proctitis, microbiological sampling is essential for an accurate diagnosis.
This may need to be supplemented by blood sampling.
Once the pathogen has been identified, targeted treatment can be started.
Simultaneous treatment of the sexual partner(s) is crucial.
If the infection has spread to the inner surface of the rectum and has developed into rectal inflammation or proctitis, microbiological sampling is essential for an accurate diagnosis.
This may need to be supplemented by blood sampling.
Once the pathogen has been identified, targeted treatment can be started.
Simultaneous treatment of the sexual partner(s) is crucial.
