What is it?
STIs are sexually transmitted infections or venereal diseases. STIs are common throughout the world.
What is an STI?
STI stands for Sexually Transmitted Infection. Examples of STIs are chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, HIV (see below), hepatitis B, trichomonas, genital herpes, genital warts and pubic lice. STIs are transmitted through unsafe sexual contact. An STI may or may not cause symptoms. Some STIs can cause serious health problems.
What is HIV?
HIV is the abbreviation for human immunodeficiency virus, the virus that can cause AIDS. This virus attacks the body's immune system. The virus is transmitted through unsafe sexual contact via infected blood, semen or vaginal fluid, when infected blood enters the bloodstream (for example through the use of contaminated needles during drug use), and pregnant women and mothers who have HIV can pass the virus on to their child during pregnancy, at delivery or through breastfeeding. HIV is not (yet) curable and, without treatment, it is an infection with serious consequences. With successful treatment using a combination of medicines, the virus can no longer be detected in the blood and is no longer infectious to others.
How do you catch it?
You can become infected through unsafe sexual contact with an infected person.
You can contract both the hepatitis B virus and the HIV virus through unsafe sexual contact with an infected person, blood contact with an infected person and blood products from an infected person.
How do you prevent it?
You can reduce the risk of infection with the bacteria that cause gonorrhoea, syphilis and chlamydia by using a reliable, well-fitting condom. Only use condoms bought in the Netherlands.
You can be vaccinated to prevent infection with the hepatitis B virus. You can reduce the risk of infection with the hepatitis B virus, as well as the HIV virus, by following these measures:
- Use a condom during sexual contact. Only use condoms bought in the Netherlands.
- Do not have tattoos or piercings done.
- Avoid visits to the dentist; go only in the most urgent emergencies.
- Avoid injections, drips and blood transfusions.
- Avoid hospitals; go only in the most urgent emergencies.
- Take care when taking part in traffic and during risky activities.
- Avoid the need for malaria treatment by taking antimalarial medication.
In addition to the conditions at your destination, your personal situation and travel plans are variables that have a decisive influence on the preparations you may wish, or be required, to make before you travel. At Amsterdam Travel Clinic you can obtain expert travel medicine advice and the hepatitis B vaccination mentioned above. We keep this vaccination in stock.
The above description is only a general, brief and simplified account and is provided for information purposes only. No rights may be derived from it. Personal advice is provided solely during a consultation with the specially trained Certified Travel Medicine Physician or Travel Medicine Assistant.