At home STD test

By NewsDesk   @bactiman63

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that newly published data reveals that daily, greater than one million new cases of four curable sexually transmitted infections (STI)–chlamydia, gonorrhoea, trichomoniasis, and syphilis are reported accounting for an annual total of some 376 million new cases.

That’s 127 million new cases of chlamydia in 2016, 87 million of gonorrhea, 6.3 million of syphilis and 156 million of trichomoniasis, according to the report.

“We’re seeing a concerning lack of progress in stopping the spread of sexually transmitted infections worldwide,” said Dr Peter Salama, Executive Director for Universal Health Coverage and the Life-Course at WHO. “This is a wake-up call for a concerted effort to ensure everyone, everywhere can access the services they need to prevent and treat these debilitating diseases.”

STIs spread predominantly through unprotected sexual contact, including vaginal, anal and oral sex. Some—including chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis—can also be transmitted during pregnancy and childbirth, or, in the case of syphilis, through contact with infected blood or blood products, and injecting drug use.

Trichomonas vaginalis: The sexually transmitted parasite

STIs are preventable through safe sexual practices, including correct and consistent condom use and sexual health education, officials emphasize.

The STIs listed have a profound impact on the health of adults and children worldwide. If untreated, they can lead to serious and chronic health effects that include neurological and cardiovascular disease, infertility, ectopic pregnancy, stillbirths, and increased risk of HIV.

Syphilis alone caused an estimated 200,000 stillbirths and newborn deaths in 2016, making it one of the leading causes of baby loss globally.