Sexually transmitted infections

Around two thirds of sexually transmitted infections are contracted before the age of 25. One in four new infections affects adolescents.

Over 20 different sexually transmitted infections have been identified. The best known are syphilis, gonorrhoea, HIV/AIDS, chlamydia, mycoplasma infections, HPV infections and genital herpes.

While most STIs do not cause major or directly visible symptoms, they can have serious health consequences (infertility following a chlamydia infection, certain cancers following a human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, AIDS following an HIV infection). The spread of STIs is a concern in all parts of the world and the risk of infection may vary significantly from one country to another. That is why protection against these infections is more important today than ever.

What is an STI?

STIs can be passed on from person to person through sexual relations, with or without penetration (vaginal or anal penetration, fellatio, cunnilingus, anilingus, and in some cases, mere genital contact).

To prevent infection, bodily fluids carrying the infection (mainly blood, sperm, semen and vaginal secretions) must not come into contact with the mucous membranes of the genitalia, anus or mouth, or with a lesion on the partner's skin.

Most STIs can be cured but, if left untreated, they can lead to serious complications.

Sexually transmitted infections also open the door to HIV/AIDS and to other STIs. Most STIs are bacterial or viral in origin.

What is risky behaviour?

• having sexual relations without a condom
• sharing drug paraphernalia such as syringes and sniffing tubes
• having skin/mucous membrane contact with a lesion, blood or other bodily fluids of an infected person

What can I do to avoid contracting an STI?

There are various simple measures that you can take to avoid STIs and prevent their transmission:

• Respect the Safer Sex rules:
  To protect yourself and your partners, use a condom for every sexual liaison and for every partner.
  To protect yourself from STIs, ensure that blood, sperm – including semen – and vaginal secretions do not come into contact with the genital, anal or buccal mucous membranes of your partner(s), or with a skin lesion.
  Male condoms and female condoms are the only means of contraception that also protect against HIV/AIDS and the majority of STIs.

• There is no risk whatsoever of transmission of an STI from embracing, kissing without the exchange of saliva, holding hands, drinking from the same glass, using the toilet, going to the dentist, going to the hairdresser, administering first aid, or being bitten by a mosquito.

• Get tested for STIs and HIV regularly when you have sex with multiple partners, and any time you wish to stop using condoms with a new regular partner.

• Take any treatment prescribed by the doctor, and ensure that you complete the course.

• Warn your partner(s) so that they can also get tested and treated if need be.

Male condoms and female condoms are the only means of contraception that also protect against HIV/AIDS and the majority of STIs. There is a vaccine against hepatitis B and HPV:

• The HPV vaccines protect against certain types of condylomes (genital warts) in both men and women, and thus prevent 75 % of cervical cancers in women. They are more effective if administered before the first sexual contact. In Luxembourg, HPV vaccination is offered to all girls at the age of 12.

• The prophylactic hepatitis B vaccine is highly effective: 3 injections are required to offer lasting immunity. In Luxembourg, all newborns are vaccinated against hepatitis B when they are born.

What should I do if I've engaged in risky behaviour?

• Contact your doctor or an emergency department immediately.
• Contact the National Infectious Disease Service (Service national des maladies infectieuses) (CHL, 2nd floor of Municipal Hospital (U20), Phone: 44 11 30 91).
• Contact a specialist centre, such as HIV-Berodung or Family Planning (Planning familial).