Are condoms always reliable?
The risk of contracting an STI is very high, with an annual increase exceeding 22% compared to the previous year. This trend has intensified since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
What do we mean?
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are conditions caused by bacteria and viruses that can be passed from one person to another through genital secretions and any type of sexual intercourse, including masturbation, oral sex, and the use of sex toys
Which infections are sexually transmitted?
These infections are caused by common bacteria such as those responsible for syphilis, gonorrhoea, Mycoplasma genitalium and hominis, Chlamydia trachomatis, and Trichomonas vaginalis.
Viral infections include HIV, herpes, hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and the rarer hepatitis A virus (HAV)—which can be transmitted through oral-genital contact. The most common, contagious, and risky viral infection is the human papillomavirus (HPV), which can be transmitted simply by rubbing mucous membranes. It is important to remember that, while condoms provide some protection, they are not entirely effective.
How can you tell if you have contracted an STI through unprotected sex?
Most STDs are asymptomatic. However, they can sometimes present as ulcers, skin spots, discharge, and inflammation of the urethra (urethritis) or vagina (vaginitis). Other symptoms can include fever, swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, and groin, urinary tract infections (UTIs) and cystitis, and proctitis (rectal disorders). If you experience any of these symptoms or skin and mucous membrane manifestations, you should seek immediate medical advice.
Even if you are asymptomatic, it is necessary to undergo screening tests after sexual intercourse with unknown partners, especially without condom use, to ensure that you have not contracted STDs and to avoid transmission. These infections can be identified through microbiological laboratory tests, such as urine tests, oral swabs, rectal swabs, and urethral swabs. Collecting this material allows sexually transmitted germs to be identified. Blood tests for specific antibodies are carried out to rule out viral infections.
Why is it necessary to carry out tests for the early diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections?
The main reason is to prevent the infection from developing into a serious disease. Sexually transmitted infections are caused by bacteria and viruses, which can be very serious if not treated as soon as possible. The consequences can include:
• in men, they can cause infections of the testicles and epididymis (epididymitis — didymitis), inflammatory prostate diseases (prostatitis), infertility, and tumours of the anus;
• in women, they can cause cervicitis, pelvic inflammatory disease, adnexitis, uterine, fallopian tube and ovarian infections, genital tumours, ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, preterm birth, and infertility.
HCV and HBV viral infections can lead to chronic hepatitis and related conditions such as blood tumours (lymphomas), liver tumours, and autoimmune diseases (thyroiditis, arthritis, and vasculitis). The human papillomavirus (HPV) causes 90% of cervical cancer in women and anal cancer in both sexes, and is one of the most common causes of oral cancer.
HIV is responsible for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, which is still considered fatal if not identified and treated early.
Early diagnosis of STDs also enables partners to be notified so they can protect themselves and others.
How can STDs be prevented and treated?
Infections caused by bacteria are treated with antibiotics. It is also essential that the partner receives treatment to avoid the risk of being reinfected. Specific vaccines are used for the hepatitis A and B viruses, as well as HPV. Hepatitis C is treated with appropriate antiviral drugs. HIV remains a potentially fatal chronic disease, but antiretroviral drugs can help to manage it. These medicines must be taken for life. This infection can be prevented by using condoms. It should also be noted that the Italian National Health Service provides antiviral prophylaxis, called PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), free of charge. This is a medication taken ‘on demand’, two hours before sexual intercourse and for two consecutive days.
Valdemaro Gianmaria Pavacci teaches General and Applied Hygiene to third-year students on the MSc in Medicine and Surgery programme (taught in Italian) at the Rome campus.
Article taken from Artemisia Magazine, no. 25, November 2025