According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are very common, and millions of new infections occur yearly in the United States. The CDC reported 2.4 million cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis in 2020. It is estimated that 1 in 5 adults in the United States has an STI.
What Are They, And How Do They Spread?
STIs are common infectious diseases caused by microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, or parasites. There are several different STIs, and each one is associated with a different organism. For example, trichomoniasis is an STI caused by a protozoan parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis. A common STI is chlamydia, caused by a bacteria called Chlamydia trachomatis. STIs spread from one person to the next through vaginal, oral, or anal sex with someone who is infected with one of these microorganisms.
Listed here are some of the types of STIs with facts and statistics for each:
Symptoms of STIs
STI symptoms can vary significantly, with some infected individuals experiencing discomfort and pain, and others experiencing no symptoms at all. STIs often manifest with very mild symptoms, which may go undetected for an extended time before severe complications appear or a partner gets diagnosed. Signs and symptoms that may indicate an STI are:
Diagnosis of STIs
To be diagnosed with an STI, a doctor will review your sexual history and current symptoms, and then perform a physical exam. The healthcare provider will also order different laboratory tests to aid in identifying the microorganisms to render a diagnosis. Available tests for different STIs include
Various samples can be used in lab tests to help in STI diagnosis and may include blood, urine, or fluids.
Treatment of STIs
In 1944, penicillin was first used as a treatment for syphilis. Since then, phenomenal progress has been made into researching new methods of treatment. Treatment of an STI varies from case to case and from infection to infection and may consist of antibiotics, antivirals, or other therapies. There is still no cure for some STIs; in these cases, the physician’s focus is on treating symptoms rather than the disease.
Preventing STIs
There are several strategies to help prevent or reduce your risks of STIs. The CDC recommends using condoms, reducing the number of sexual partners, getting vaccinated for STIs (where a vaccine is available), or abstinence to prevent STIs. The CDC also advocates testing as a critical step in protecting against STIs and receiving the appropriate diagnosis and treatment.
Next Steps with Boca Biolistics
Boca Biolistics is a hybrid CRO and Biobank with a global biospecimen repository. It is one of the largest multinational commercial biobanks and has an inventory of over 500,000 data-rich human biological specimens available. Currently, that inventory includes samples tested positive for HIV, HSV, HPV, CT, NG, BV, TV, and many others. They also offer Clinical Research Services and quickly assess and initiate prospective collections for specimens that can meet the needs of development programs. These, combined with their CAP-accredited reference lab, make Boca Biolistics a unique partner for diagnostic and pharmaceutical research.
To learn more about what Boca Bio has to offer, please give us a call at 954-449-6126
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