IV.

Prevention and Control

Unlike many serious diseases, simple measures can prevent STIs. The most effective prevention method is abstinence—that is, refraining from sex completely. No sexual contact means no risk of developing an STI. Practicing monogamy, in which two partners do not have sexual relations with anyone but each other, also greatly reduces the risk of spreading and contracting STIs.

Latex condoms are an effective, although not perfect, form of protection from STIs. These plastic sheaths, worn over the penis or inserted into the vagina, act as a physical barrier to organisms that cause STIs. However, condoms do not cover all of the genital surfaces that may come into contact during sex, and the possibility of transmission of some STIs, especially genital herpes and warts, still exists.

Early diagnosis and thorough treatment prevent the more serious consequences of STI infection, while halting the spread of STIs from person to person. This is most critical in STIs that do not cause symptoms, because those infected often do not know they risk infecting their sexual partners. The complete dosage of drug treatment must be completed, even if early doses of drugs appear to alleviate symptoms entirely. The infection may still persist in the absence of symptoms, leading infected individuals to unknowingly spread the disease.

Public clinics screen patients at risk for STIs in order to diagnose and treat diseases in the early stages. Clinics track the incidence of STIs in particular areas and contact the sexual partners of infected individuals. By identifying and treating these potential carriers, clinics are able to break the chain of STI infections. Several organizations, such as the CDC and the World Health Organization, monitor and research the prevalence and transmission of STIs on an international level in an effort to prevent local outbreaks from reaching global, epidemic proportions.