Prevention of STDs
The most effective way to prevent the transmission of STIs is to not have anal, vaginal or oral sex. Since the continuation of our species relies on having sex, there are a number of other things that can be done to prevent the transmission of STIs. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) there are four other categories of STI prevention [1].
Vaccination
Vaccines are recommended, and a very effective means of preventing the transmission of both Hepatitis A and B, and the human papilloma virus (HPV).
About one in four Americans is infected with HPV, and 14 million people become newly infected every year. It is recommended that all children be vaccinated for HPV by the age of 12. The vaccine also immunizes against the form of HPV that causes genital warts [2]. The HPV vaccine has been shown to be nearly 100% effective in stopping the transmission of HPV and genital warts [3]. Since the vaccine was recommended in 2006, there has been a 64% decrease in HPV infections in teen girls in the US.
It is estimated that up to 2.2 million people in the US have hepatitis B, and that there are 19,200 new cases each year [4]. The hepatitis A and B vaccination series is started at birth and provides protection to more than 90% of people who complete the series [5]. Since 1991 when the routine vaccination of children started, there has been an 82% decrease in acute hepatitis B in the US [4].
In 2015 there was an estimated 2,800 cases of hepatitis A in the US, but the estimated cases have dropped more than 95% since the vaccine became available in 1995 [6].
Vaccines for herpes simplex virus (HSV), and human immune deficiency virus (HIV) are currently under development [7]. (Fig 1).
Australian researchers have had preliminary success in developing a chlamydia vaccine for koalas. While the species of the bacteria that affects koalas is different from that which infects humans, it is hoped that their work will eventually lead to a human chlamydia vaccine. So far, 18 female koalas have been vaccinated with positive results [8].
Condom use
The effectiveness of condoms for protecting against STI transmission has been demonstrated both in the laboratory and in epidemiological studies. The exact level of effectiveness is hard to gauge because certain individual behaviors cannot be observed [9], and condoms can provide different degrees of protection for different STIs [9]. Male condoms may not cover all infected areas or areas that could become infected, so they are likely to provide greater protection against STIs that are transmitted only by genital fluids like gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomoniasis, and HIV. They may be much less effective against STIs that are spread by skin-to-skin contact, like genital herpes, HPV, syphilis, or chancroid, an STI that is rare, but found more often in regions of Africa and the Caribbean [10].
The failure of condoms to stop the transmission of STIs is usually because of incorrect use, so it is very important to know how to use condoms correctly [9].
Reduce the number of sexual partners
The more partners you have in your lifetime the more likely you are to have sex with a partner that has an STI [11]. It is still important that both partners be tested, and share their results [1].
Mutual monogamy
Being in a mutually monogamous relationship with another uninfected person is one of the best ways to avoid contracting an STI. Again, it is imperative that each partner be tested, and open about the test results [1].
Videos for mature audience:
References |
|
1. CDC. How You Can Prevent Sexually Transmitted Diseases. https://www.cdc.gov/std/prevention/default.htm (accessed 24 February 2018).
2. CDC. Human Papilloma Virus (HPV): HPV Vaccines: Vaccinating Your Preteen or Teen. https://www.cdc.gov/hpv/parents/vaccine.html (accessed 24 February 2018).
3. CDC. Human Papilloma Virus (HPV): Questions and Answers. https://www.cdc.gov/hpv/parents/questions-answers.html (accessed 24 February 2018).
4. CDC. Hepatitis B FAQs for the Public. https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hbv/bfaq.htm (accessed 24 February 2018).
5. HHS. Vaccines.gov: Hepatitis B. https://www.vaccines.gov/diseases/hepatitis_b/index.html (accessed 24 February 2018).
6. CDC. Hepatitis A FAQs for the Public. https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hvv/afaq.htm (accessed 24 February 2018).
7. CDC. 2010 STD Treatment Guidelines. https://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment/2010/vaccine.htm (accessed 24 February 2018).
8. Queensland University of Technology. News - Koala vaccine for chlamydia close. https://www.qut.edu.au/news?news-id=18995 (accessed 24 February 2018).
9. CDC. Condom Effectiveness: Condom Fact Sheet in Brief. https://www.cdc.gov/condomeffectiveness/brief.html (accessed 24 February 2018).
10. CDC. 2015 Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines. https://www.cdc.gov/std/tg2015/chancroid.htm (accessed 24 February 2018).
11. CDC. HIV Risk Reduction Tool. https://wwwn.cdc.gov/hivrisk/decreased_risk/number.html (accessed 24 February 2018).
12. El-Bassel, N. et al. The efficacy of a relationship-based HIV/STD prevention program for heterosexual couples. American Journal of Public Health. 93, 963-969 (2003).
2. CDC. Human Papilloma Virus (HPV): HPV Vaccines: Vaccinating Your Preteen or Teen. https://www.cdc.gov/hpv/parents/vaccine.html (accessed 24 February 2018).
3. CDC. Human Papilloma Virus (HPV): Questions and Answers. https://www.cdc.gov/hpv/parents/questions-answers.html (accessed 24 February 2018).
4. CDC. Hepatitis B FAQs for the Public. https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hbv/bfaq.htm (accessed 24 February 2018).
5. HHS. Vaccines.gov: Hepatitis B. https://www.vaccines.gov/diseases/hepatitis_b/index.html (accessed 24 February 2018).
6. CDC. Hepatitis A FAQs for the Public. https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hvv/afaq.htm (accessed 24 February 2018).
7. CDC. 2010 STD Treatment Guidelines. https://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment/2010/vaccine.htm (accessed 24 February 2018).
8. Queensland University of Technology. News - Koala vaccine for chlamydia close. https://www.qut.edu.au/news?news-id=18995 (accessed 24 February 2018).
9. CDC. Condom Effectiveness: Condom Fact Sheet in Brief. https://www.cdc.gov/condomeffectiveness/brief.html (accessed 24 February 2018).
10. CDC. 2015 Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines. https://www.cdc.gov/std/tg2015/chancroid.htm (accessed 24 February 2018).
11. CDC. HIV Risk Reduction Tool. https://wwwn.cdc.gov/hivrisk/decreased_risk/number.html (accessed 24 February 2018).
12. El-Bassel, N. et al. The efficacy of a relationship-based HIV/STD prevention program for heterosexual couples. American Journal of Public Health. 93, 963-969 (2003).