Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) 😊
What are STIs?
STIs are illnesses that spread mainly through sexual contact. You might also hear them called venereal diseases (VD) or reproductive-tract infections (RTI). They include well-known names like gonorrhoea and syphilis, along with newer worries such as HIV-AIDS.:contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
Common STIs you should know 👍
- Gonorrhoea
- Syphilis
- Genital herpes
- Chlamydiasis
- Genital warts
- Trichomoniasis
- Hepatitis-B
- HIV infection leading to AIDS ⚠️
Among these, HIV is the most dangerous and needs special attention.:contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
Other ways these infections spread
Some STIs—especially hepatitis-B and HIV—can also pass on when people share injection needles or surgical tools, during blood transfusions, or from an infected mother to her baby before birth.:contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
Can they be cured?
Good news first: most STIs disappear completely when doctors spot and treat them early. The big exceptions are hepatitis-B, genital herpes, and HIV, which cannot yet be fully cured. Early action still helps control symptoms and protects others.:contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
Early warning signs 🚨
The first hints are usually mild—itching, a little fluid discharge, slight pain, or small swellings around the genitals. Because the signs are tiny (and girls often notice nothing at all), many people wait too long to see a doctor.:contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
Why ignoring symptoms is risky
Untreated STIs may lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), ectopic pregnancy, infertility, miscarriages, still-births, or even cancers of the reproductive organs. Clearly, they are a serious health threat for everyone.:contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
Who gets STIs most often?
Anyone can catch an STI, yet studies show the highest numbers in the 15-24 year-old group—the age most students reading this belong to. Don’t panic! With simple habits, protection is possible.:contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
Prevention: stay safe, stay healthy 💡
- Avoid sex with unknown or multiple partners.
- Use a condom every time you have intercourse.
- If you ever feel unsure, visit a qualified doctor quickly for testing and complete treatment.
Following these three golden rules keeps you and your future family safe. Spread knowledge, not infections! ✨:contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
Important Concepts for NEET 📝
- Full forms: STI, VD, RTI—know the examples for each.
- Non-sexual transmission paths (needles, blood, mother-to-foetus).
- Curable vs incurable list (hepatitis-B, genital herpes, HIV stand out).
- Silent/asymptomatic nature in females and link to late detection.
- Key prevention principles: limited partners, condom use, early medical help.
