Sexually transmitted diseases in the height of summer – steiermark.ORF.at

This topic is often taboo, despite the prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases around the world. In Europe, traditional sexually transmitted diseases, which had been on the decline due to better medical treatment options, are on the rise again.

For general practitioner Alexander Moses from Hartberg and his medical colleagues, suspected cases are currently on the rise again: “They are not very common, but they are very common. We are thinking here primarily of viral diseases such as HIV and hepatitis, but also bacterial infections such as chlamydia, mycoplasma infections, gonorrhea and syphilis – these are also still common and still exist.”

Risk of long-term consequences such as infertility

Sexually transmitted diseases can be diagnosed relatively easily by a urologist, gynecologist or family doctor using a smear test. This is also important because the consequences can be serious, explains Moussa: “Sexually transmitted diseases can be very serious. They can also cause very serious systemic diseases in the long term. They can lead to infertility, which of course is a particular problem in young people if infections and inflammations caused by sexually transmitted diseases are not recognized in time.

Use of preventive measures

False shame in a suspected case is therefore very dangerous. As preventive measures, Dr. Moussa recommends: “Above all, here prevention is very good with protected sexual intercourse, i.e. using a condom, and prevention with vaccinations such as hepatitis.”

By the way, STDs can have symptoms similar to other diseases. Therefore, you should consult a doctor immediately in all cases.