-Sexually Transmitted Diseases - Sexually Transmitted Infections
What is an STD/STI?
A sexually transmitted disease/infection (STI/STD) is an infection that can be passed from person to person when having sex. You can get an STI by having vaginal sex, anal sex, or oral sex. There are several different types of STI.
What are the main STIs? The ten most common STIs are: anogenital warts, chlamydia, genital herpes, gonorrhoea, HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, pubic lice, syphilis, and trichomonas. These are briefly described below.
Anogenital warts are small lumps that develop on the genitals and/or around the anus (back passage). They are sometimes just called genital warts. They are caused by a virus called the human papillomavirus (HPV). However, many people infected with HPV do not develop visible warts, as the virus lays dormant inside your bodies cells. You can be a 'carrier' of the virus without realising it, and you may pass on the virus to others who may then go on to develop warts. Treatment options include applying chemicals to the warts or freezing the warts to destroy them. Usually applying a specific cream/gel successfully treats the warts, but does not kill or eradicate the HPV, which will continue to reside in the cells. Maintaining a healthy well balanced lifestyle through, adequate rest & exercise, healthy diet and minimising stress is often enough to minimise outbreaks.
Chlamydia is caused by a bacterium (germ) called Chlamydia trachomatis. It is the most common STI. Symptoms include a vaginal discharge in women, and a discharge from the penis in men. You can be infected with chlamydia for months, even years, without realising it as it often causes no symptoms. However, even if you have no symptoms, you can still pass on the infection and complications may develop if it is left untreated (such as pelvic infection and infertility in women). A short course of an antibiotic clears chlamydia in most cases, and both partners should be treated at the same time.
Genital herpes is caused by the herpes simplex virus. Once you catch this virus it stays with you for life but lies dormant without causing symptoms most of the time. In fact, many people who are infected with this virus never have symptoms, or the herpes develop in an area in which they are not visible. If symptoms occur, they can range from a mild soreness to many painful blisters on the vulva or penis and surrounding area. A first episode of symptoms can last 2-3 weeks, but may be shorter. Recurrent episodes of symptoms then develop in some cases from time to time, but are usually less severe than the first episode. Antiviral medication can ease symptoms when they develop. There are different tests to determine if someone has genital herpes currently or has previously had genital herpes.
Gonorrhoea is caused by a bacterium called Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Symptoms include a vaginal discharge in women, and a discharge from the penis in men. Again, some people infected with gonorrhoea do not develop symptoms. However, even if you have no symptoms, you can still pass on the infection and complications may develop if it is left untreated (such as pelvic infection and infertility in women). A short course of an antibiotic clears gonorrhoea in most cases.
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is most commonly passed on by sexual contact. HIV attacks cells of the immune system. Over time (usually several years) the immune system 'weakens' so that you cannot defend your body against various bacteria, viruses and other germs. This is when AIDS develops (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). Many infections and conditions can develop if you have AIDS. Treatment with antiretroviral drugs can reduce the 'viral load' of HIV and allow your immune system to work effectively. However, treatment does not clear the virus from the body. Therefore, if you are infected with HIV you will need monitoring for the rest of your life, and treatment is long-term.
Hepatitis B is a virus that primarily attacks the liver. The virus is mainly passed on by sexual contact, sharing contaminated needles to inject 'street drugs', or from an infected mother to her baby. The hepatitis B virus can cause a short term (acute) infection, which may or may not cause symptoms. Following an acute infection, some people develop a persistent infection called chronic hepatitis B. Many people with chronic hepatitis B remain well, but can still pass on the virus to others (as they are 'carriers'). Some develop serious liver problems. If needed, antiviral medication may prevent or reduce the severity of liver inflammation and liver damage.
Hepatitis C is a virus that primarily attacks the liver. Most cases occur in people who share needles to inject 'street drugs' that are contaminated with traces of infected blood. There is a small risk that an infected person can pass on the virus whilst having sex. Some people clear the infection naturally. Some people with persistent infection remain free of symptoms, but some have symptoms. After many years of infection some people develop cirrhosis (a severe scarring of the liver), and some develop liver cancer. Treatment is difficult but it can clear the infection in up to half of cases.
Pubic lice (often called 'crabs') are tiny insects about 1-2 mm long (smaller than a match-head). They lay eggs which hatch into lice after seven days. Pubic lice attach strongly to hairs, and do not wash or brush off with normal cleaning. Pubic lice are passed on by close bodily contact, especially when having sex. The main symptom is itch, usually in the pubic hair area. However, you may not have any symptoms, but may still pass on the lice to others. Treatment with a lotion or cream usually clears the lice.
Syphilis is caused by a bacterium called Treponema pallidum. If it is not treated, it can spread in the bloodstream from the genital region to cause various symptoms and problems in different parts of the body over many years. A short course of antibiotics usually clears syphilis infection. Both partners should be treated at the same time.
Trichomonas is a protozoan, which is a tiny germ similar to bacteria. It can cause an infection that is not normally serious but symptoms can be unpleasant. Symptoms include a vaginal discharge in women, and a discharge from the penis in men. Some people infected with trichomonas do not have symptoms but can still pass on the infection. A course of antibiotics usually clears trichomonas infection.
There are some other STIs that are less common. For example, donovanosis and chancroid.
Other conditions that are sometimes thought of as STIs
Scabies is a common skin rash that is caused by a mite (a tiny insect). It is usually very itchy. You need close skin-to-skin contact with an infected person to catch scabies. Most cases are probably caught from holding hands with an infected person. The hand is the most common site to be first affected. However, sleeping in the same bed, and sexual contact are other common ways of passing on the mite which is why some people regard scabies as an STI.
Molluscum contagiosum is a common skin rash that is caused by a virus. It is passed on by skin-to-skin contact. The rash consists of small lumps which are pearly-white or slightly pink. Each lump ('molluscum') looks like a small wart and is round, firm, and about 1-5 mm across. Sometimes the virus is passed on during the close contact of having sex. So, some people regard molluscum contagiosum as an STI. If it is passed on whilst having sex then the first mollusca to appear tend to be on the skin around the penis or vagina.
However, many cases of molluscum contagiosum are not caused by a sexual contact but by simply touching other affected people. It is a common condition that is seen both in adults and children.
What are urethritis, balanitis, PID, and vulvitis? These terms describe the site of a problem rather than a particular cause of the problem.
Urethritis is an inflammation of the urethra. The urethra is the tube that passes out urine from the bladder. If you have urethritis you may develop a burning sensation when you pass urine, and men may have a discharge from the end of the penis. Urethritis is usually caused by a sexually transmitted infection, but not always. For example, it can be caused by chlamydia or gonorrhoea (see above) but can also be caused by injury and some other causes.
Balanitis is inflammation of the tip of the penis. Balanitis is sometimes caused by an STI. However, it is most commonly caused by non-sexually transmitted infections, and skin conditions. Balanitis is common in young children due to non-sexually transmitted infections.
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection of the uterus (womb). Bacteria that cause the infection usually travel into the uterus from the vagina or cervix (neck of the uterus). An STI is a common cause of PID. Most cases are caused by chlamydia or gonorrhoea. However, some cases are not due to an STI.
Symptoms of PID include pain in the lower abdomen, fever, abnormal vaginal bleeding and a vaginal discharge. Possible complications include: infertility, persistent pain, and an increased risk of an ectopic pregnancy if you become pregnant.
Vulvitis is inflammation of the vulva. (The vulva is the 'lips' and skin just outside the vagina.) There are various causes of vulvitis including some STIs.
Conditions that are not STIs
The genitals (vagina and vulva in women, penis in men) can be affected by various other conditions. Some people are confused as to what is and what is not caused by a sexually transmitted infection. For example, the following are not usually due to a sexually transmitted infection:
Symptoms of each STI can vary from local symptoms affecting the genitals, to symptoms that affect various other parts of the body. The following is not a full list of all possible symptoms. However, these are the common symptoms to look out for:
What can I expect when I attend the clinic?
1. Registration
When you arrive at a clinic you will have to register. You will be asked your name, address, date of birth, contact telephone number. This information is treated confidentially.
2. Initial assessment
You will be seen initially by a nurse, followed by a doctor. You will ask you some questions to try to assess the situation and to determine what tests (if any) you may need. Examples of questions that you may be asked include:
3. Examination
A doctor will usually examine you. You can ask for a male or female doctor, but you may have to return at a different time (or even to a different clinic) if a doctor of a particular sex is not currently available. The examination includes looking carefully at your genitals for signs of discharge, redness, lumps or ulcers. The doctor may also feel your groin (the top of your legs) to check for enlarged or tender lymph nodes. If necessary, the doctor may also do a general examination to check on your general health.
Tests
Depending on the initial assessment and examination, the doctor may advise on some tests and ask for your consent to do the tests. Tests may include:
A urine test.
This can detect some infections of the urethra such as chlamydia. For this test you will be asked to pass some urine into a sterile pot. (It is best not to go to the toilet just before attending a clinic in case you are asked for a urine sample.)
Swabs.
A swab is a small ball of cotton wool on the end of a thin stick. It can be gently rubbed in various places to obtain a sample of mucus, discharge, or some cells. The sample can be looked at under a microscope and sent away to the lab for testing.
Depending on what is suspected, a swab can take a sample from: just inside the urethra, inside the vagina, the cervix (neck of womb), throat, and rectum (back passage). For women, to see the cervix and to make sure the swab sample is taken from the correct place an instrument called a speculum is used. This is a small plastic or metal device that is gently pushed into the vagina to hold open the vagina whilst the swab sample is taken from the cervix. Swabs are used to detect chlamydia, gonorrhoea, trichomonas and genital herpes. A swab sample can also detect thrush, bacterial vaginosis and various other bacteria which may not be sexually transmitted infections.
Blood tests.
A sample of blood from a vein may be taken. This is mainly used to test for syphilis, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV. Note: sometimes you may be advised to delay having a blood test. For example, following an initial infection of HIV it can take several weeks for a blood test to become positive. So, for example, if you had sex with someone who is HIV positive within the last few days, you may be advised to wait several weeks to have a blood test to see if you have become infected.
Diagnosis
Sometimes a doctor will be able to diagnose an STI from the examination. Sometimes you will need to wait for the results of some tests. Some test results can be available quickly - during your time in the clinic. For other tests it takes a few days for the results to come back from the lab. You may be given an appointment to come back for the results of tests, or in some situations you may be able to phone for the results.
Advice about sexual partners
If you are diagnosed with an STI then you're encouraged to tell any current or recent sexual partners that you have an infection. You are not obliged to do this or to give out any information about other people. However, it is best that any recent sexual partners should know that they might also be infected. They should be offered testing, and treatment if necessary, to prevent the infection being spread any further. This telling of sexual partners is sometimes called 'contact tracing'. If you prefer, the clinic can contact people anonymously if you do not wish to tell them yourself.
Notifiable diseases
Also you should understand that many STI infections are notifiable diseases, just the same as they are in many countries around the world. China is no different in that respect. If you test positive for one of the notifiable STD's then we are obliged and required by law to report it. The laboratory will forward the clinic a form which we complete with your details. This form is then sent internally to another department which reports to the Health Bureau. The report does not impact on your ability to reside/work in mainland China.
Treatment
The treatment that you will be offered depends on what STI is found. For example, a short course of antibiotics can usually clear away chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, and trichomonas. A cream or lotion can clear pubic lice and scabies. Topical treatments can usually clear most anogenital warts. Treatments for genital herpes, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV are more involved and complex. You will be given advice about what treatment options you have and given time to ask questions. Also, there are information leaflets for some of these conditions that gives details about treatment options.
If you are prescribed antibiotics then it is important to finish the full course of tablets, or else the infection may not be fully cleared. If you develop side-effects then seek advice from the clinic or from your doctor as to what to do. Do not simply stop taking the medication. For some infections you will be asked to return after a course of treatment to check that the infection has gone. For females who are prescribed antibiotics, it is important to remember that should you also be taking oral contraception or have had a contraceptive depot injection, then you will need to take extra precautions against pregnancy. This may mean you will have to use other barrier methods (male/female condoms & spermicidal creams) for anything up to 1 month or until your next menstrual period either during or after completing the course of antibiotics.
Do not have sex again until the time advised by the clinician. Depending on the infection, this may be for a certain length of time after treatment is finished or it may be until you are given the 'all clear' from the results of repeat testing. The aim is to prevent you from passing on the infection to others. While condoms are ~99% effective against the transmission of STI's etc, there is still a small failure rate.
Clinic telephone +86 (0574) 86000000 (Mon-Fri closed)
Website designed and maintained by Foreigners Medical Clinic, Ningbo Development Zone Central Hospital
All content on this website in its entirety is subject to copyright. No part is to be copied without express written permission of Ningbo Development Zone Central Hospital 宁波开发区中心医院
A sexually transmitted disease/infection (STI/STD) is an infection that can be passed from person to person when having sex. You can get an STI by having vaginal sex, anal sex, or oral sex. There are several different types of STI.
What are the main STIs? The ten most common STIs are: anogenital warts, chlamydia, genital herpes, gonorrhoea, HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, pubic lice, syphilis, and trichomonas. These are briefly described below.
Anogenital warts are small lumps that develop on the genitals and/or around the anus (back passage). They are sometimes just called genital warts. They are caused by a virus called the human papillomavirus (HPV). However, many people infected with HPV do not develop visible warts, as the virus lays dormant inside your bodies cells. You can be a 'carrier' of the virus without realising it, and you may pass on the virus to others who may then go on to develop warts. Treatment options include applying chemicals to the warts or freezing the warts to destroy them. Usually applying a specific cream/gel successfully treats the warts, but does not kill or eradicate the HPV, which will continue to reside in the cells. Maintaining a healthy well balanced lifestyle through, adequate rest & exercise, healthy diet and minimising stress is often enough to minimise outbreaks.
Chlamydia is caused by a bacterium (germ) called Chlamydia trachomatis. It is the most common STI. Symptoms include a vaginal discharge in women, and a discharge from the penis in men. You can be infected with chlamydia for months, even years, without realising it as it often causes no symptoms. However, even if you have no symptoms, you can still pass on the infection and complications may develop if it is left untreated (such as pelvic infection and infertility in women). A short course of an antibiotic clears chlamydia in most cases, and both partners should be treated at the same time.
Genital herpes is caused by the herpes simplex virus. Once you catch this virus it stays with you for life but lies dormant without causing symptoms most of the time. In fact, many people who are infected with this virus never have symptoms, or the herpes develop in an area in which they are not visible. If symptoms occur, they can range from a mild soreness to many painful blisters on the vulva or penis and surrounding area. A first episode of symptoms can last 2-3 weeks, but may be shorter. Recurrent episodes of symptoms then develop in some cases from time to time, but are usually less severe than the first episode. Antiviral medication can ease symptoms when they develop. There are different tests to determine if someone has genital herpes currently or has previously had genital herpes.
Gonorrhoea is caused by a bacterium called Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Symptoms include a vaginal discharge in women, and a discharge from the penis in men. Again, some people infected with gonorrhoea do not develop symptoms. However, even if you have no symptoms, you can still pass on the infection and complications may develop if it is left untreated (such as pelvic infection and infertility in women). A short course of an antibiotic clears gonorrhoea in most cases.
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is most commonly passed on by sexual contact. HIV attacks cells of the immune system. Over time (usually several years) the immune system 'weakens' so that you cannot defend your body against various bacteria, viruses and other germs. This is when AIDS develops (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). Many infections and conditions can develop if you have AIDS. Treatment with antiretroviral drugs can reduce the 'viral load' of HIV and allow your immune system to work effectively. However, treatment does not clear the virus from the body. Therefore, if you are infected with HIV you will need monitoring for the rest of your life, and treatment is long-term.
Hepatitis B is a virus that primarily attacks the liver. The virus is mainly passed on by sexual contact, sharing contaminated needles to inject 'street drugs', or from an infected mother to her baby. The hepatitis B virus can cause a short term (acute) infection, which may or may not cause symptoms. Following an acute infection, some people develop a persistent infection called chronic hepatitis B. Many people with chronic hepatitis B remain well, but can still pass on the virus to others (as they are 'carriers'). Some develop serious liver problems. If needed, antiviral medication may prevent or reduce the severity of liver inflammation and liver damage.
Hepatitis C is a virus that primarily attacks the liver. Most cases occur in people who share needles to inject 'street drugs' that are contaminated with traces of infected blood. There is a small risk that an infected person can pass on the virus whilst having sex. Some people clear the infection naturally. Some people with persistent infection remain free of symptoms, but some have symptoms. After many years of infection some people develop cirrhosis (a severe scarring of the liver), and some develop liver cancer. Treatment is difficult but it can clear the infection in up to half of cases.
Pubic lice (often called 'crabs') are tiny insects about 1-2 mm long (smaller than a match-head). They lay eggs which hatch into lice after seven days. Pubic lice attach strongly to hairs, and do not wash or brush off with normal cleaning. Pubic lice are passed on by close bodily contact, especially when having sex. The main symptom is itch, usually in the pubic hair area. However, you may not have any symptoms, but may still pass on the lice to others. Treatment with a lotion or cream usually clears the lice.
Syphilis is caused by a bacterium called Treponema pallidum. If it is not treated, it can spread in the bloodstream from the genital region to cause various symptoms and problems in different parts of the body over many years. A short course of antibiotics usually clears syphilis infection. Both partners should be treated at the same time.
Trichomonas is a protozoan, which is a tiny germ similar to bacteria. It can cause an infection that is not normally serious but symptoms can be unpleasant. Symptoms include a vaginal discharge in women, and a discharge from the penis in men. Some people infected with trichomonas do not have symptoms but can still pass on the infection. A course of antibiotics usually clears trichomonas infection.
There are some other STIs that are less common. For example, donovanosis and chancroid.
Other conditions that are sometimes thought of as STIs
Scabies is a common skin rash that is caused by a mite (a tiny insect). It is usually very itchy. You need close skin-to-skin contact with an infected person to catch scabies. Most cases are probably caught from holding hands with an infected person. The hand is the most common site to be first affected. However, sleeping in the same bed, and sexual contact are other common ways of passing on the mite which is why some people regard scabies as an STI.
Molluscum contagiosum is a common skin rash that is caused by a virus. It is passed on by skin-to-skin contact. The rash consists of small lumps which are pearly-white or slightly pink. Each lump ('molluscum') looks like a small wart and is round, firm, and about 1-5 mm across. Sometimes the virus is passed on during the close contact of having sex. So, some people regard molluscum contagiosum as an STI. If it is passed on whilst having sex then the first mollusca to appear tend to be on the skin around the penis or vagina.
However, many cases of molluscum contagiosum are not caused by a sexual contact but by simply touching other affected people. It is a common condition that is seen both in adults and children.
What are urethritis, balanitis, PID, and vulvitis? These terms describe the site of a problem rather than a particular cause of the problem.
Urethritis is an inflammation of the urethra. The urethra is the tube that passes out urine from the bladder. If you have urethritis you may develop a burning sensation when you pass urine, and men may have a discharge from the end of the penis. Urethritis is usually caused by a sexually transmitted infection, but not always. For example, it can be caused by chlamydia or gonorrhoea (see above) but can also be caused by injury and some other causes.
Balanitis is inflammation of the tip of the penis. Balanitis is sometimes caused by an STI. However, it is most commonly caused by non-sexually transmitted infections, and skin conditions. Balanitis is common in young children due to non-sexually transmitted infections.
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection of the uterus (womb). Bacteria that cause the infection usually travel into the uterus from the vagina or cervix (neck of the uterus). An STI is a common cause of PID. Most cases are caused by chlamydia or gonorrhoea. However, some cases are not due to an STI.
Symptoms of PID include pain in the lower abdomen, fever, abnormal vaginal bleeding and a vaginal discharge. Possible complications include: infertility, persistent pain, and an increased risk of an ectopic pregnancy if you become pregnant.
Vulvitis is inflammation of the vulva. (The vulva is the 'lips' and skin just outside the vagina.) There are various causes of vulvitis including some STIs.
Conditions that are not STIs
The genitals (vagina and vulva in women, penis in men) can be affected by various other conditions. Some people are confused as to what is and what is not caused by a sexually transmitted infection. For example, the following are not usually due to a sexually transmitted infection:
- Thrush. This is an infection caused by a yeast called Candida. Small numbers of Candida commonly live on the skin and around the vaginal area. These are usually harmless. However, when conditions are good for Candida, it multiplies and may invade the vagina and cause symptoms such as a vaginal discharge.
- Cystitis (bladder infection).
- Bacterial vaginosis. This is a common condition of the vagina. It is caused by an overgrowth of various bacteria that are normally found in the vagina. It is the most common cause of a vaginal discharge.
Symptoms of each STI can vary from local symptoms affecting the genitals, to symptoms that affect various other parts of the body. The following is not a full list of all possible symptoms. However, these are the common symptoms to look out for:
- A vaginal discharge.
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding.
- A discharge from the penis.
- A sore, ulcer, rash, or lump that appears on the penis or around the vagina, vulva or anus.
- Pain when you have sex.
- Pain when you pass urine (although the common reason for this is a urine infection and not an STD).
- Swelling of the glands in your groin.
What can I expect when I attend the clinic?
1. Registration
When you arrive at a clinic you will have to register. You will be asked your name, address, date of birth, contact telephone number. This information is treated confidentially.
2. Initial assessment
You will be seen initially by a nurse, followed by a doctor. You will ask you some questions to try to assess the situation and to determine what tests (if any) you may need. Examples of questions that you may be asked include:
- What symptoms and/or concerns do you have?
- How many people have you had sex with in the last few weeks and were they male or female?
- What type of sex have you had - vaginal, oral, anal sex?
- Have you previously had an STI?
- What is the state of your general health?
- Do you take any regular medication?
- Do you have any allergies?
3. Examination
A doctor will usually examine you. You can ask for a male or female doctor, but you may have to return at a different time (or even to a different clinic) if a doctor of a particular sex is not currently available. The examination includes looking carefully at your genitals for signs of discharge, redness, lumps or ulcers. The doctor may also feel your groin (the top of your legs) to check for enlarged or tender lymph nodes. If necessary, the doctor may also do a general examination to check on your general health.
Tests
Depending on the initial assessment and examination, the doctor may advise on some tests and ask for your consent to do the tests. Tests may include:
A urine test.
This can detect some infections of the urethra such as chlamydia. For this test you will be asked to pass some urine into a sterile pot. (It is best not to go to the toilet just before attending a clinic in case you are asked for a urine sample.)
Swabs.
A swab is a small ball of cotton wool on the end of a thin stick. It can be gently rubbed in various places to obtain a sample of mucus, discharge, or some cells. The sample can be looked at under a microscope and sent away to the lab for testing.
Depending on what is suspected, a swab can take a sample from: just inside the urethra, inside the vagina, the cervix (neck of womb), throat, and rectum (back passage). For women, to see the cervix and to make sure the swab sample is taken from the correct place an instrument called a speculum is used. This is a small plastic or metal device that is gently pushed into the vagina to hold open the vagina whilst the swab sample is taken from the cervix. Swabs are used to detect chlamydia, gonorrhoea, trichomonas and genital herpes. A swab sample can also detect thrush, bacterial vaginosis and various other bacteria which may not be sexually transmitted infections.
Blood tests.
A sample of blood from a vein may be taken. This is mainly used to test for syphilis, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV. Note: sometimes you may be advised to delay having a blood test. For example, following an initial infection of HIV it can take several weeks for a blood test to become positive. So, for example, if you had sex with someone who is HIV positive within the last few days, you may be advised to wait several weeks to have a blood test to see if you have become infected.
Diagnosis
Sometimes a doctor will be able to diagnose an STI from the examination. Sometimes you will need to wait for the results of some tests. Some test results can be available quickly - during your time in the clinic. For other tests it takes a few days for the results to come back from the lab. You may be given an appointment to come back for the results of tests, or in some situations you may be able to phone for the results.
Advice about sexual partners
If you are diagnosed with an STI then you're encouraged to tell any current or recent sexual partners that you have an infection. You are not obliged to do this or to give out any information about other people. However, it is best that any recent sexual partners should know that they might also be infected. They should be offered testing, and treatment if necessary, to prevent the infection being spread any further. This telling of sexual partners is sometimes called 'contact tracing'. If you prefer, the clinic can contact people anonymously if you do not wish to tell them yourself.
Notifiable diseases
Also you should understand that many STI infections are notifiable diseases, just the same as they are in many countries around the world. China is no different in that respect. If you test positive for one of the notifiable STD's then we are obliged and required by law to report it. The laboratory will forward the clinic a form which we complete with your details. This form is then sent internally to another department which reports to the Health Bureau. The report does not impact on your ability to reside/work in mainland China.
Treatment
The treatment that you will be offered depends on what STI is found. For example, a short course of antibiotics can usually clear away chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, and trichomonas. A cream or lotion can clear pubic lice and scabies. Topical treatments can usually clear most anogenital warts. Treatments for genital herpes, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV are more involved and complex. You will be given advice about what treatment options you have and given time to ask questions. Also, there are information leaflets for some of these conditions that gives details about treatment options.
If you are prescribed antibiotics then it is important to finish the full course of tablets, or else the infection may not be fully cleared. If you develop side-effects then seek advice from the clinic or from your doctor as to what to do. Do not simply stop taking the medication. For some infections you will be asked to return after a course of treatment to check that the infection has gone. For females who are prescribed antibiotics, it is important to remember that should you also be taking oral contraception or have had a contraceptive depot injection, then you will need to take extra precautions against pregnancy. This may mean you will have to use other barrier methods (male/female condoms & spermicidal creams) for anything up to 1 month or until your next menstrual period either during or after completing the course of antibiotics.
Do not have sex again until the time advised by the clinician. Depending on the infection, this may be for a certain length of time after treatment is finished or it may be until you are given the 'all clear' from the results of repeat testing. The aim is to prevent you from passing on the infection to others. While condoms are ~99% effective against the transmission of STI's etc, there is still a small failure rate.
Clinic telephone +86 (0574) 86000000 (Mon-Fri closed)
Website designed and maintained by Foreigners Medical Clinic, Ningbo Development Zone Central Hospital
All content on this website in its entirety is subject to copyright. No part is to be copied without express written permission of Ningbo Development Zone Central Hospital 宁波开发区中心医院