Summary of Study Session 31

In Study Session 31, you have learned that:

1. STIs are very common communicable diseases in the community.
2. The transmission of STIs is greatly affected by demographic, social, biological, economic and behavioural factors.
3. Syndromic management of STIs is an important tool to simplify the diagnosis and treatment of STIs. It involves treating all possible causes, even though the specific infectious agents have not been identified.
4. HIV testing and counselling is an essential component of STI management.
5. The risk of HIV transmission increases when an individual has concurrent and untreated STIs. The presence of HIV increases the severity of some STIs and makes them more difficult to treat.