How are HIV infection and STIs related ?

It is usually believed that HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) belong to entirely different zones. However, they can no longer be looked upon as separate issues as they have been found to be interconnected.  If you have contracted a sexually transmitted infection, it means you may have put yourself at a higher risk for HIV infection. Similarly, if you are suffering from HIV infection then you have higher risk of picking up other STI infections. For instance, STIs such as syphilis and herpes are characterised by lesions or ulcers. It produces an excellent spot for HIV to enter the blood and infect the individual. An intact skin can act as a barrier against HIV.

Moreover, STIs like chlamydia stimulate the concentration of white blood cells of the immune system, meaning there are more CD4 cells for HIV to infect so the risk of HIV infection increases. HIV-infected people who have also contracted STIs have higher concentrations of HIV in their genital fluids. Obviously, it increases the chances of infecting their partner owing to the higher concentrations of HIV. If you look for a proper STI treatment it will not only treat the sexually transmitted infection but also reduce the amount of HIV in their genital secretions. Taking complete prevention and treatment can play a dynamic role in decreasing the transmission of HIV.

Trichomonas Vaginalis is a commonly spread sexually transmitted infection which infects a man’s urethra, prostate gland, and a woman’s urethra and vagina. It can also potentially damage the epithelial layers of cell. This infection is usually difficult to diagnose at an early stage due to lack of recognisable symptoms. The parasite which causes this infection is similar in size to a white blood cell and moves around the urethra or vagina. This bacterial infection does not get out of your body easily, and hence you need to opt for appropriate Trichomonas Vaginalis treatment. It can pass through during unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex sexual intercourse. This infection can also transmit through sharing of sex toys as the parasite gets an ideal surface to attach. This parasite also attaches itself to the womb or urethra, causing ulceration of the cells.

Metronidazole is an effective antibiotic that can treat this parasite. It can either be taken in a low dosage strength or in a higher single dose. Metronidazole 400mg is a low dose treatment which should be taken two times a day for seven days. You should bear in mind that the treatment should not be discontinued mid-way if you are taking the seven days course so that the infection does not return. Condyline solution is a podophyllotoxin solution that is meant for treating genital warts, an STI which causes fleshy growths in the genital area. It is applied twice every day in your private areas to get rid of warts in just four weeks. It penetrates the wart tissues and prevents the multiplication of the wart cells by damaging the nucleus.