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The agents and impacts of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
At the VNU 2024 international scientific conference themed “Updating New Trends in Sexual Health,” organized by the Vietnam Society of Sexual Medicine in collaboration with the University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vietnam National University Hanoi, experts discussed the issue of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), also known as sexually transmitted infections (STIs). These diseases primarily spread through sexual intercourse, including vaginal, anal, and oral sex, as well as non-sexual means such as blood transmission. Many dangerous sexually transmitted diseases can also be transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy and childbirth, such as syphilis, hepatitis B, HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, and HPV. According to the latest statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 376 million cases of one of the four treatable STDs (chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, syphilis) occur each year, equating to over 1 million cases per day.
Experts also pointed out common symptoms of STDs, which include urethral discharge, genital ulcers, abdominal pain, vaginal discharge in females, or a burning sensation when urinating in males. However, there are also cases of STDs that present no clear symptoms. As a result, these syndromes often go undetected and untreated until complications arise. The agents of STDs are generally assessed to affect both men and women, but they tend to have more severe impacts on women, including infertility, ectopic pregnancy, chronic pain, cervical cancer, and other complications.
STD Testing - A Comprehensive Solution for the Health of the Transgender Community
The transgender community often faces a higher risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). This partly stems from feelings of embarrassment and stigma, which can lead to hesitance in accessing healthcare and health education services. Additionally, society has not paid enough attention to the health issues faced by transgender individuals. Furthermore, the lifestyle of some in this community may result in a lack of protective measures, increasing the risk of STDs.
Screening, diagnosis, counseling, and early treatment can prevent the spread of STDs and minimize the complications of these diseases, with one of the most effective methods being STD testing. STD testing is a medical procedure aimed at detecting the presence of sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia. If not treated promptly, these diseases can lead to serious complications, affecting both reproductive and overall health.
The importance of STD testing lies in its role in protecting individual and community health. First, early detection allows patients to receive timely treatment, reducing the risk of transmission to others. Second, regular testing helps individuals become aware of their health status, enabling them to make informed decisions regarding sexual relationships.
The advantages of STD testing include high accuracy and the ability to detect multiple types of diseases in a single test. Many testing methods today, such as blood tests, urine samples, vaginal swabs (for females), and urethral samples (for males), are easy to perform and painless. Additionally, privacy and confidentiality are ensured, allowing patients to feel comfortable during testing. Thanks to these benefits, STD testing is increasingly encouraged and plays a crucial role in community health care.
At GENTIS, STD testing can identify 12 pathogens, including: Chlamydia trachomatis; Ureaplasma parvum; Trichomonas vaginalis; Mycoplasma genitalium; Mycoplasma hominis; Neisseria gonorrhoeae; Ureaplasma urealyticum; Gardnerella vaginalis; Candida albicans; Treponema pallidum; Herpes simplex virus 1; and Herpes simplex virus 2. Sample collection can be performed by qualified gynecologists or self-collected using an HPV self-sampling kit. The samples are then analyzed using realtime-PCR technology to detect and quantify bacterial DNA in the samples with the PANA RealTyper™ STD kit (PANAGENE), which has received IVD certification. The process from sample collection to result delivery is quick and accurate, taking only 2-3 days. With two testing centers equipped with modern devices certified to ISO 15189:2022 standards, along with a team of experienced experts and technicians, GENTIS ensures that you and your loved ones will have the best experience.
GENTIS - A Partner for VNU 2024
As a sponsor of the conference, GENTIS is honored to provide information for the presentation by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Xuan Da, Director of the High Medicine Center, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vietnam National University Hanoi, on the topic “The Status of LGBT, Transgender Needs, and Legal Aspects in Vietnam.”
Additionally, GENTIS made its mark at the VNU 2024 international scientific conference with a special booth where doctors, experts, and delegates could learn about STD testing services for the transgender community. The GENTIS booth also attracted attention with a lucky draw activity and many exciting prizes. Through this partnership, GENTIS aims to help everyone, especially the transgender community, raise awareness about sexual health and demonstrate its commitment to supporting the community.
The event not only emphasized the need to improve the quality of healthcare for transgender individuals but also created opportunities to connect leading experts in the field of sexual health from both domestic and international backgrounds. GENTIS is proud to be a part of this event and hopes that its medical efforts will support the community.
