Aviruses in the population. These include the herpes virus (HSV), human papilloma viruses (HPV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Herpes

The herpes virus is found worldwide, especially in Africa and parts of the Americas. The lifetime number of sexual partners is a significant predictor of infection. There are two well-known types: HSV-1 and HSV-2. They produce red spots that progress to vesicular papules (water bumps). On the skin, these bumps form crusts and later scabs. On the mucosal surfaces of the mouth or urethra of the penis, they form tiny ulcers.

HSV-1 is the most common type and produces infections predominantly on the face and mouth and less frequently on the genitalia. HSV-2 predominantly affects the genital areas but is also found on other parts of the body such as the buttocks and thighs. Some men only experience chaffing or tiny cracks on the glans (head of the penis), shaft of the penis, inside the urethra or around the anus. Sometimes men with HSV infections have no signs.

Human papilloma virus (HPV)

There are more than 75 types of HPV isolated so far. They are responsible for the most common sexually transmitted viral infections and affect young adults 17 to 33 years old. The HPV are highly contagious with a 60 per cent chance of catching the infection from a single sexual contact.

They produce flesh-coloured growths or warts in the genital and anal areas. These are readily obvious in men but less conspicuous in females. Some men may have bleeding from warts in the uretral meatus (opening of penis). Most of the infections are due to HPV-6 and HPV-11 and rarely cause cancers. However, HPV-16 and HPV-18 are linked with cancers of the penis and the anus.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

Each year, reported cases of HIV/AIDS continue to increase. Approximately 1.5 per cent of the population is living with this sexually transmitted disease. Highest rates of infections occur in Kingston and Montego Bay. Most HIV infections occur in adolescents 10 to 19 years old, while reported AIDS cases predominantly occur in young adults, 20 to 39 years old.

Signs of HIV infection may present two to four weeks after sexual contact, but often goes unrecognised. The man has flu-like symptoms with a reddish rash on the face and trunk which does not itch, as well as swollen lymph nodes. These symptoms disappear in a one or two weeks. Testing for HIV antibodies is negative at this time and the antibodies cannot be detected before a wait of three months.

Prevention

Until vaccines are discovered to help limit the spread of sexually transmitted viruses, the best means of treatment is prevention. This is critical since HSV has no cure, HPV may result in cancers and HIV will become chronic and eventually fatal.

Strategies for prevention include sexual behaviour that reduces the chance of infections, such as limiting the number of lifetime partners, the use of condoms and the exclusion of receptive anal intercourse and oral-anal contact. Education about high-risk behaviour will help to reduce this increasing problem of sexually transmitted infections.

Dr Pauline Williams-Green is a family physician and president of the Caribbean College of Family Physicians; email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.