Candidiasis

What’s this?

Various species of Candida can cause genital and urinary tract infections, more easily in women but also in men.
Candidiasis is caused by a fungus that lives in our body without giving problems, and that manifests itself in case of poor hygiene, immuno-depression (chronic diseases, antibiotic therapy, diabetes). Thus, this disease is not necessarily linked to sexual activity, but can be transmitted through it.

How does it manifest itself?

With losses from the genital tract of characteristic appearance depending on the type of infection, itching and redness in the genital or anal area, pain when passing urine and during sexual intercourse.

How is it transmitted?

With unprotected sex.

Diagnosis

Examining genital secretions and culture tests under a microscope.

Treatment

Antibiotics / antifungals by mouth and / or local therapy (eggs, creams, lavenders).

Chlamydia – Trachomatis

Condylomatosis

What’s this?

It is an infection due to a virus, the Papillomavirus (HPV).

How does it manifest itself?

The infection runs, in most cases, without symptoms or manifests itself with growths (warts or condyloma) on the genitals. Sometimes, in the case of infections that persist over time and after several years, it can give rise to tumors of the genital tract (to the uterus, in women).

How is it transmitted?

During unprotected sex. The use of a condom is not always able to protect against this infection which can affect areas of the skin not covered by the condom itself.

Diagnosis

Clinic with observation of lesions or, in women, with PAP test.
All women, aged 25 to 64, should have a PAP test to prevent cervical cancer every 3 years.

Treatment

Local application of specific preparations, burning of lesions.
The infection can be contracted again.

Prevention

In addition to the condom, a vaccine is available for women who have not yet come into contact with the virus.

Viral Hepatitis (Hepatitis A, B, C)

What are?

They are viral diseases that affect the liver.

How do they manifest themselves?

√ Acute hepatitis with jaundice (yellow color of the skin and eyes) and liver pain;
√ chronic hepatitis: hepatitis B and, especially hepatitis C, can progress over the years to give cirrhosis or liver tumors;
√ status of “healthy carrier”, ie there are no symptoms but you can infect other people.

How are they transmitted?

Hepatitis A:
√ Contact with infected human feces, including oro-genital and oro-anal relations

Hepatitis B and C:
√ Unprotected sexual relations
√ Contact with the blood of infected people.
√ From an infected mother to a child (during pregnancy or childbirth).

Diagnosis

With a blood test for antibody research.

Treatment

Hepatitis A heals without complications, for hepatitis B and C that can become chronic, there are some fairly effective drugs. Vaccines exist for hepatitis A and B.

Gonorrhea

What’s this?

It is a bacterial infection caused by the gonococcus present in the purulent secretions of the genitals of infected people.

How does it manifest itself?

After 2-20 days from infection, burning to urinate or anus, loss of genital material of purulent material (more evident in humans), sore throat in case of infection in the oral cavity.
If left untreated it can lead to infertility in women.

How is it transmitted?

Unprotected sexual intercourse, through contact with the external genitalia, vagina, mouth, anus. The absence of contact with sperm does not prevent contagion.

Diagnosis

With a swab of genital secretions or oral cavity.

Treatment

It is treated with antibiotics. The infection can be contracted again.

Genital Herpes

What’s this?

It is an infection caused by a virus.

How does it manifest itself?

It can give both mild manifestations (redness and burning) and numerous painful vesicles / ulcerations in the genital area.
The infection tends to recur over time, especially during physical or mental stress, as the virus persists in the body.

How is it transmitted?

With unprotected sex, through contact with infected mucous membranes.

Diagnosis

It is clinical with the observation of lesions.

Treatment

There is no definitive therapy; however, the antiviral drugs available are able to shorten the duration of the lesions and reduce the intensity of the symptoms, in addition to reducing the recurrence of recurrences.

HIV/AIDS

What’s this?

AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) is a disease caused by the HIV virus and consists in the reduction of the body’s defenses.

How does it manifest itself?

It can stay for years without any sign (but it can also infect the partner) or manifest with symptoms of different severity.

How is it transmitted?

√ Unprotected sexual relations (vaginal, anal, or genital) with infected people;
√ Blood: exchange of infected syringes, instruments for tattoos and piercings contaminated with infected blood, common use of contaminated objects (razors, scissors, toothbrush, etc.);
√ From an infected mother to a child (during pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding).

How it is not transmitted:

√ with handshakes, kisses, hugs, bites, scratches;
√ saliva, cough, tears, sweat, urine, faeces;
√ plates, glasses, cutlery;
√ toilets, showers, swimming pools, saunas, gyms.

Diagnosis

The HIV antibody test can be performed 3 months after the last risk behavior.

Treatment

Antiviral therapy is currently quite effective in controlling infection and should be continued throughout life.

Pediculosis (head and pubis)

What’s this?

It is a parasitosis caused by lice, which lay eggs (nits) that hatch in 7-10 days. The larvae complete their development in 7-13 days.
The eggs are attached to the base of the hair with a very resistant glue substance and can escape the comb.

How does it manifest itself?

The most characteristic symptom, but not always present, is localized itching, in the scalp or in the genital area.

How is it transmitted?

The parasitosis spreads mainly in crowded conditions (schools, oratories, colonies, etc.) through direct contact with an infested person (even during sexual intercourse) or indirectly through combs, brushes, hats. Infestation occurs regardless of personal cleanliness level.

Diagnosis

With the finding, through a lens, of the louse and / or of the eggs in the hair or pubic hair and, in some cases, of the eyelashes, eyebrows, beard.

Treatment

The treatment consists of special products, in cream, foam and gel.
In most cases, the eggs and lice must also be mechanically removed with a comb. For eggs, a hot mixture consisting of half water and half vinegar can be used. After a week, to eliminate lice born of any surviving eggs, the treatment must be repeated. There are no preventive treatments: the anti-parasite drug does not prevent infestation, so it should not be performed for preventive purposes.

Further measures

√ Check all the members of the family and the people who came in close contact.
√ Machine wash (60 °) or dry pillowcases, sheets, towels and clothing (in particular hats, scarves, fabric toys, etc.) in contact with the head and neck; pass the vacuum cleaner on armchairs, sofas, mats and rugs where children play. Combs and brushes should be immersed in boiling water for 10 minutes.
√ The disinfestation of the premises does not bring advantages because the louse is not able to survive long in the environment.
√ To avoid the spread of the infection, it is recommended to families, a frequent, at least weekly, hair check.

Scabies

What’s this?

It is a skin disease caused by a very small insect not visible to the naked eye and which is called a mite.
Mites attach themselves to clothing that is in contact with diseased skin and can therefore spread.

How does it manifest itself?

The disease manifests itself with an annoying mainly nocturnal itching.

How is it transmitted?

The parasite is transmitted to people through:
√ direct contact, from sick people;
√ indirect contact, with shared use of linen, towels or underwear, etc. recently used.

Diagnosis

With the detection of the mite from the skin.

Treatment

With drugs applied locally on the whole skin.

Syphilis

What’s this?

It is caused by a bacterium (spirochete), Treponema Pallidum.

How does it manifest itself?

The incubation period varies between 10 and 90 days (average 21 days) after which several clinical pictures may occur: small, painless ulceration, at the point where the infection occurred (genitals or mouth), of short duration.

How is it transmitted?

Through direct contact with infected wounds (vaginal, anal and oral sex).
It can be transmitted from the mother to the fetus during pregnancy, with possible death of the fetus in the uterus or the birth of a child with congenital syphilis.

Diagnosis

With a blood test to search for antibodies, on average, 40 days after infection. Sexual partners must also be controlled.

Treatment

It is treated with antibiotics.

Tigna (head and body)

What’s this?

Ringworm is a contagious disease of the skin, hair and nails caused by various species of fungi known as dermatophytes.

How does it manifest itself?

The incubation period is variable, generally between 5 and 14 days after contact.
The disease is manifested by reddened roundish patches that tend to extend into the periphery and to clear in the center. In the case of ringworm of the head, the hair breaks easily.
After the start of adequate treatment, the disease is no longer contagious.

How is it transmitted?

The infection is transmitted by direct contact from infected animals (dog, cat) or sick people.
It can also be contracted by indirect contact, in particular with the common use of clothing, combs, brushes, hats and shoes.

Diagnosis

The specialist carries out the clinical examination and microscopy.

Treatment

With local and oral medicines and with the common hygiene rules that everyone should observe, such as:
√ strictly personal use of clothing, hats, brushes, combs and toiletries in general;
√ avoid walking barefoot in public places such as swimming pools, gyms, showers etc;
√ carry out accurate and prolonged disinfection of the feet before entering the pool;
√ avoid stroking dogs, cats or other animals whose health is unknown, especially if you notice that they have diseased hair;
√ have your pet checked by your veterinarian periodically.

How to avoid spreading it?

It is important to observe the following indications:
√ wash the laundry in the washing machine at a high temperature (90 °) separately;
√ have the veterinarian check the animals that may have come into contact with the people who have fallen ill (the animals can be healthy carriers).