Taking precautions

Dr Vigneswaren says that there are no confirmed reported symptoms that occur in other areas of the body besides the genital area. Almost all symptoms of STIs occur in the genital area for both male and female.

He also says that STIs typically do not directly cause death and are rarely a threat to pregnancy.

In Malaysia, a routine syphilis test is done for women coming in to confirm a pregnancy. If the syphilis test comes back positive, a second test is carried out for

Good sexual health begins with getting tested. Here are a few steps to achieving good sexual health:

Go for regular check- ups and actively listen and follow doctor’s advice Practise good personal hygiene Learn about combative products ( such as medications, hygiene washes and condoms) and use them wisely

Schedule sexual encounters to when the worst stages of the infections are over

Use protection confirmation and treatment is then quickly administered. A HIV ( human immunodeficiency virus) test, on the other hand, is optional.

According to the WHO, not treating the disease or taking the necessary care are the factors that can lead to serious and possibly fatal complications.

Appropriate treatment of STIs at the first contact between patients and healthcare providers is, therefore, an important public health measure.

Dr Vigneswaren says that a couple can have a healthy sex life even after being diagnosed with an STI – as long as diagnosis and treatment are carried out at an early stage.

Moreover, a woman can have an entirely incident- free pregnancy provided she is diagnosed at an early stage and takes all the necessary measures to cure it.

Having good sexual health is not a natural phenomenon and involves good decision- making.

Honest communication with partners, doctors and even ourselves play an important role as well. Together, we can deal with it and lead a healthy STI- free life.