CLAIMING over 20 million victims in the world, the Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/Aids) has been the focus of a world-wide campaign for its prevention and eradication.
Compared to HIV/Aids hot spots, the Philippines has sustained its relatively low prevalence of HIV/Aids cases. On the other hand, the cases of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), which is a “co-factor for HIV transmission,” remains high, notes a World Health Organization (WHO) report on the Philippines.
For this reason, Dr. Rene Josef Bullecer observes that public advocacy should also prioritize educating the public about STIs. According to the summary report of Aids-Free Philippines, 3,155 STI cases were examined and treated by the nongovernment organization (NGO) from December 1994 to present.
Bullecer, Aids-Free Philippines national director, points out that their office has examined and treated in the same period 86 cases of HIV and 36 for Aids. In the 104 HIV/Aids cases, 17 deaths resulted from complications.
Prevention is the best medicine
Trained in HIV medicine for 12 years, including a stint with the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine and exposure to the HIV/Aids advocacies in India and Thailand, Bullecer says information and awareness are the better part of valor in dealing with STIs.
The acronym “STI” is more frequently used now, compared to the older term “sexually transmitted disease,” since public health experts acknowledge that a person “may be infected, and may potentially infect others, without showing signs of the disease.”
And while STIs are caused by pathogens that have a “significant probability of transmission” due to sexual contact, this is not limited only to vaginal intercourse but also oral and anal sex, points out a WHO advisory.
Bullecer notes that some STIs can be transmitted via the needles used in intravenous drug use, as well as childbirth or breastfeeding.
Aside from addressing the misinformation and lack of knowledge of different public sectors through seminars and forums, Aids-Free Philippines operates an 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. hotline, 255-0136.
Bullecer says callers are referred to health professionals and institutions for treatment. Many of the callers inquire about the symptoms of STIs and HIV/Aids, apparently in efforts to self-diagnose and then self-medicate their conditions.
Risks of self-medication
However, self-medication adversely affects the management of STIs. This practice does not only result in wrong administration of medications but also contributes to the emergence of resistant strains and the consequent prolonged and more complicated treatment of STIs.
According to a research presented by Francia, Ortega and Gonzales during the 2000 International Conference on Aids, the 1997-99 surveillance of a model STI clinic in Manila showed that almost all of the 2,069 sex workers used penicillins, quinolones and douching to treat their STIs, when symptoms were observed.
Bullecer confirms that many still go by folk therapies. STIs cannot be cured by inserting the infected penis in boiled coconut water or drinking soapy water where Perla, Ariel or other laundry soaps have been dissolved.
According to an STD handbook distributed to sex workers and adults by the Bidlisiw Foundation Inc. Health Resource Center, persons spotting symptoms or suspecting STI should immediately go to a clinic or health center. Their spouse or partners should also be examined.
The patient has to take the complete prescription given by the examining doctor. Correct and regular use of condoms can prevent STIs, cautions the Bidlisiw information material.
