Sexually Transmitted Infections

How are STIs transmitted? Most common sexually transmitted infections Book an appointment

How are STIs transmitted?

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are most commonly passed on through unprotected sexual intercourse. Transmission can also occur from mother to child during pregnancy, or through contact with infected blood.

Many of these infections can be difficult to detect at first. Symptoms are often mild, easy to overlook, or can resemble a common urinary tract infection or an infection acquired through other means. Without timely treatment, however, they can develop into more serious inflammatory conditions that may affect fertility and overall health.

If you notice any symptoms, such as a burning sensation when urinating, unusual discharge, pain during intercourse or any unexplained discomfort — see a doctor and consider STI testing.

Most common sexually transmitted infections

Infections vary in their symptoms and duration. Some can be present for a long time without causing any noticeable signs, while others may cause more obvious discomfort.

When to see a urologist or gynaecologist

You experience a burning sensation or pain when urinating
You notice unusual discharge
You find blood in your urine or ejaculate
You experience pain during sex
You have pain in the lower abdomen, groin or lower back
You have a fever accompanied by pain in the urinary tract or genitals
You have had unprotected sex with a new or higher-risk partner

Regular testing and timely treatment help prevent complications. Book a discreet appointment, we will discuss everything with you sensitively and without unnecessary delay.

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Most common sexually transmitted infections

Chlamydie

Chlamydia trachomatis is the most common sexually transmitted organism in the world and the leading infectious cause of infertility in both women and men. Young people between the ages of 15 and 30 are the most affected group. The bacterium occurs equally in women and men and gives rise to a wide range of infections affecting the urogenital tract.

In men, it most commonly causes urethritis, epididymitis or prostatitis.
In women, it can cause urethritis, cervicitis, endometritis and salpingitis, which may lead to serious pelvic inflammatory disease — particularly dangerous during pregnancy. Chlamydial infection of the uterus is currently considered a risk factor for cervical cancer.

In addition to genital infections, Chlamydia trachomatis can also cause an eye condition in the form of severe conjunctivitis.

Diagnosis is based on medical history, clinical examination and confirmation of the presence of the bacterium. Treatment is primarily with antibiotics, and all sexual partners should be tested and treated if necessary.

Ureaplasma

The bacterium Ureaplasma urealyticum is a normal part of the genital flora in up to 80% of sexually active people. Infection can also occur through oral sex, and the majority of those carrying the bacterium experience no symptoms at all.

Women are more susceptible to ureaplasma infection than men. When symptoms do occur, they typically include an unpleasant sensation in the vagina accompanied by discharge and a mild odour. The infection can also develop into inflammation of the fallopian tubes and uterine lining, or pelvic inflammatory disease. In pregnant women, it can increase the risk of miscarriage or premature birth.
In men, ureaplasma infection most commonly presents as urethritis, with symptoms including pain and discomfort when urinating. Inflammation of the testicle, epididymis or prostate can also occur.

Ureaplasma infection is diagnosed by culturing swabs taken from the urethra, or through blood testing. It is treated with specific types of antibiotics.

Mycoplasma

The bacterium Mycoplasma hominis is present in the genital flora of approximately 20% of men and 40% of women, and does not cause problems in the majority of those who carry it. It can, however, be the cause of more serious respiratory infections as well as urogenital infections.

In men, mycoplasma infection most often passes without any noticeable symptoms.
In women, the most common sign is vaginal infection (vaginosis) with discharge, itching and a burning sensation when urinating. Pain during intercourse is also common. Untreated vaginosis can progress to cervicitis, salpingitis and pelvic inflammatory disease, all of which can affect fertility if left unaddressed. In pregnant women, mycoplasma can affect the foetus and cause inflammatory conditions in newborns.

The presence of Mycoplasma in the body is diagnosed using molecular biological methods from a urine sample or cervical swab. Treatment requires specific antibiotics, as Mycoplasma bacteria are resistant to some antibiotic types.

Gonorrhoea

Gonorrhoea is caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae and is the fourth most common sexually transmitted infection in the world. Young people between the ages of 15 and 34 are the most commonly affected group. In both men and women, gonorrhoea presents primarily as purulent urethritis, though the course of the infection differs somewhat between the sexes.

The vast majority of men notice symptoms of urethritis within 5 days of infection, including a whitish discharge in the urine, frequent urination and a burning or stinging sensation when urinating. The infection initially affects the front part of the urethra; if left untreated, it spreads to the back of the urethra and can then extend to other organs.
In women, the incubation period for gonorrhoea is around 2 weeks, during which most of those infected experience no symptoms. The infection then typically announces itself with a burning or stinging sensation when urinating and purulent discharge from the urethra, which also irritates the mucous membranes of the labia, causing redness and swelling. From the urethral mucosa, the inflammation can spread to other organs in the pelvic area. In some cases, the infection can spread throughout the body and cause conditions affecting the skin, tendons and joints, or conjunctivitis.

In both men and women, gonorrhoea can also present in a chronic form.

Diagnosis most commonly relies on molecular biological testing of a urine sample, or swabs from the urethral opening, cervix, rectum or throat. Treatment is with antibiotics and usually requires rest, at least in the initial phase. Gonorrhoea is a notifiable disease.

Syphilis

Syphilis, one of the most well-known sexually transmitted infections and one that has claimed the health of many remarkable people throughout history, is also bacterial in origin. It is caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum, and several hundred new cases are recorded in the Czech Republic each year.

The infection is transmitted through sexual contact, including anal and oral sex. The most common sign of the first stage of the disease is the appearance of a hard ulcer in the genital area, less commonly around the anus or in the mouth, along with swollen lymph nodes. Without appropriate treatment, the second stage develops 4 to 10 weeks after infection. This is characterised primarily by a rash of non-itchy, reddish-brown spots across the body. Other symptoms include fever, muscle and joint pain, general fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, weight loss, and loss of hair from the head, eyelashes and eyebrows. Neurological symptoms may also begin to appear at this stage. Both the first and second stages of syphilis are highly contagious.

Without treatment, syphilis enters a latent (hidden) phase that can last anywhere from 3 to 30 years after the secondary stage. The third stage takes several forms, which may occur individually or in combination, and is no longer contagious. The most serious form is neurosyphilis, which affects the central nervous system.

The most common diagnostic method for syphilis is a serological blood test; bacteriological examination of a swab from the initial ulcer or from white lesions in the mouth is also an option. All forms of syphilis can be treated effectively with antibiotics. Like gonorrhoea, syphilis is a notifiable disease.

HIV

The number of people newly diagnosed with HIV in the Czech Republic rises each year. In 2015, according to the National Institute of Public Health, 266 new cases were recorded.

The highest-risk group in the Czech Republic is men who have sex with men, who account for the majority of newly diagnosed cases. Although HIV transmission through shared needles among people who use drugs is frequently discussed, the vast majority of those affected are infected through sexual contact.

The HIV virus attacks the cells essential to the functioning of the immune system and causes AIDS, for which there is currently no cure. The virus can survive in the body for several years after infection without producing noticeable symptoms, or it may initially present in a way that the person does not associate with HIV — for example, as what appears to be a common viral illness in the 3 to 6 weeks following infection.

Early detection of HIV is important both for protecting sexual partners and for the person infected, who can begin treatment sooner. Treatment does not cure HIV but significantly improves and extends life with the virus. HIV testing from a blood sample is recommended for anyone who has had or currently has multiple sexual partners.