STI
The acronym STI stands for Sexually Transmitted Infection. They include chlamydia, syphilis, gonorrhea, condyloma and HIV.
Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae, also called gonococci. The bacterium is found in the urethra and vagina, and sometimes in the rectum and throat.
Read more about gonorrhea here
Herpes
The disease is caused by a virus, Herpes simplex virus, HSV, which exists in two closely related variants, HSV-1 and HSV-2. Both virus variants can cause rashes and sores on the lips (oral herpes) and genitals (genital herpes). However, HSV-1 is more often the cause of oral herpes, while HSV-2 more often causes genital herpes.
Read more about herpes here
HPV
HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in Sweden. The virus is highly contagious and most people become infected with one of the different types of the virus at some point in their lives. The infection is asymptomatic and usually clears up on its own, but can cause other conditions such as condyloma (genital warts) and precancerous lesions, as well as causing cancers of the cervix, vulva, vagina, anus, penis and throat, among others.
Read more about HPV here
HTLV
Human T-lymphotropic virus, or HTLV, is a rare virus with low infectivity that primarily targets blood cells. It is characterized by an exceptionally long incubation period, which can extend up to 30 years. There are currently two well-known variants of HTLV (I and II), with a third form recently identified. HTLV belongs to the deltaretrovirus group, which causes lifelong infections that the body cannot clear on its own. Historically, the term HTLV was used to describe what we now know as HIV; however, HTLV and HIV are distinct viruses. HTLV cannot lead to AIDS. There is a certain stigma associated with HTLV which can make it especially challenging for the individuals who are affected.
Read more about HTLV here
Chlamydia
The most commonly reported sexually transmitted infection in Sweden is Chlamydia. The disease does not always cause symptoms which means that many people can be infected without knowing. Chlamydia is one of the more serious STIs. If left untreated, it can lead to sterility, among other things.
Read more chlamydia here
Condyloma
Condylomas, or genital warts, are caused by a virus that belongs to the group of human papillomaviruses, HPV. More than 100 different types of human papillomavirus have been described. About 40 of these are so-called genital human papillomaviruses and seek out mucous membranes, especially in the abdomen. Some of the HPV types that exist can cause condylomas, while other HPV types are the cause of cervical cancer.
Read more about condyloma here
LGV
LGV is caused by a type of Chlamydia trachomatis. It is the same bacteria that causes a chlamydial infection. This type of chlamydia bacterium is more aggressive than the usual one and is more difficult to treat.
Read more about LGV here
Mpox
Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) is a virus that can be transmitted both between animals and humans as well as between humans. Mpox is caused by the monkeypox virus, which is a type of so-called orthopox virus. It occurs in both mild and severe forms and before 2022, transmission to humans was rare.
Read more about mpox here
Syphilis
Syphilis (which is sometimes called lues) is caused by a spiral-shaped bacterium, a so-called gram-negative spirochete, called Treponema pallidum. The bacteria can survive almost anywhere in the human body and can spread quickly.
