318 in Surigao City infected with STIs

THE Surigao City Health Office said 318 persons in the city were infected with sexually transmitted infections (STIs) last year, 16 more than in 2013.

Topping the list for 2014 is bacterial vaginosis, with 185 cases, slightly lower than the 188 cases in 2013, according to Jessica Nepomuceno, social hygiene clinic nurse at the CHO.

Cases of gonorrhea reached 68 last year compared to 55 in 2013. Trichomoniasis infected 21 people in 2013 and 18 in 2014.

Nepomuceno said 38 persons got non-gonococcal infection in 2013 while 47 persons had it last year.

She warned that while the use of condoms may prevent transmission of the disease it does not guarantee full protection.

She said the best defense against STI is to remain faithful to one’s partner.

In Caraga, at least 25 people have been found positive of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in Surigao del Norte since 2007, the local Department of Health reported.

Eleven of them are from Surigao City, three of whom have been confirmed to have developed Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).

The rest of the cases came from different towns of Surigao del Norte such as Dapa, Del Carmen, Pilar, Gigaquit, Sison, Burgos and Bacuag. MINDANEWS