The world has eight more years until 2030 – the year that’s been chosen as the one during which the HIV pandemic will be terminated. In order to achieve that goal, we have to combat social, financial, political and legal inequalities that limit access to adequate healthcare among numerous vulnerable members of the global population.

While chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and trichomoniasis are triggered by bacteria, the 4 H’s (herpes, HIV, HPV and hepatitis B) occur due to viruses. Bacterial STDs are curable, but viral STDs are lifelong conditions which are only treatable with the help of antiretrovirals. That being said, bacterial STDs are less severe than viral ones. In this article, deep dive into how antibiotics fully eliminate bacterial STIs and how antiretrovirals manage symptoms.

Genital warts are almost always linked to HPV. Warts are not considered serious health problems, but these mild but annoying conditions can cause discomfort and shame towards those who experience them. Although not all types of HPV end up in genital warts, all genital warts always happen because of some HPV strains. In this article, dive deeper into the types of warts, when they emerge and how to tell warts apart from skin tags and moles.

Anatomy and physiology make it easier for women to become infected with a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Also, certain conditions tend to be more prominent among females. Understanding the specifics of STDs and recognising common symptoms can both help adequate diagnosis and early treatment.

Do you have to tell a partner about an STD you have? The short answer is yes. As a human being, you have the moral obligation to protect others from risks you’re aware of. Also, there’s a Singaporean law that necessitates the provision of such information. While having the conversation is never easy, it’s the right thing to do.

Having an STD is still considered shameful in Singapore, which is why many people who experience symptoms don’t seek testing and treatment. They hope an STD would resolve on its own. Unfortunately, such wishful thinking can have some very dire health consequences.

While STDs are incredibly common as per some of the latest statistics, there are still many questions and misconceptions about sexually transmitted conditions. Can you get an STD in a swimming pool? Or in a public restroom? Here are some of the important facts everybody needs to be aware of.

Current guidelines suggest that HIV-positive individuals should get a Covid-19 shot as they’re considered a group at a higher risk of complications. A new study confirms these recommendations. The extensive trial shows that in most HIV patients, the Covid-19 shot is as effective as among healthy controls.

A recent study indicates the benefit of taking doxycycline within 72 hours after condomless sex. A trial involving 544 men who have sex with men (MSM), transgender women and “gender diverse” folks proved that taking the drug may reduce the probability of being diagnosed with bacterial STIs by 62% to 66%. In this article, we detailed what the study finds and rising concerns after the study was presented at the 24th International AIDS Conference.

Mostly associated with women and cervical cancers, HPV is an STD that also causes penile cancer in men. However, not limited to HPV, there are so many risk factors that lead to penile cancer such as age, weakened immune systems, phimosis as well as particular treatment. In this article, we explored the risk factors of penile cancer and what we can do to lower the risks of developing it.