A dermatovenereologist explains who is at risk for STIs.

February 24, Minsk . Vladimir Yaromich, head of the outpatient dermatovenereology department No. 4 of the Minsk city clinical center of dermatovenereology, told journalists who is at risk for sexually transmitted infections, a BELTA correspondent reports.

"Teenagers are most at risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections. This is due to many reasons. Firstly, teenagers, as is the reality now, begin to have sex early. They don't always know, and often simply don't want to know, the main signs and symptoms of these diseases. Teenagers begin using drugs quite early."Alcohol or other substances that facilitate easy partner changes. They often choose partners they barely know. This segment of the population often simply lacks the means to afford protection. There are also certain anatomical and physiological characteristics of adolescents that increase the risk of infection in this segment of the population," explained Vladimir Yaromich.

Regarding gender, women are slightly more likely to develop the disease than men. "This is also related, firstly, to female physiology. Secondly, women are less likely to develop early symptoms. Furthermore, women may perceive symptoms that appear as a characteristic of their health and dismiss them as unimportant. Women also have a risk of transmitting the infection to their fetus during pregnancy." "Viral infections can cause cervical cancer in women," the dermatovenereologist explained.

The doctor noted that if sexually transmitted infections are left untreated or treated improperly, they can become chronic and latent, causing irreversible health consequences. "The presence of these infections can greatly increase the risk of contracting the human immunodeficiency virus," added Vladimir Yaromich.

The most dangerous STIs were also identified at the press conference. "According to WHO statistics, more than 1 million people are infected with some kind of sexually transmitted infection every day. There are more than 30 of these infections, the most common being syphilis, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, chlamydia, mycoplasmosis, human papillomavirus , genital herpes, and HIV. It's important to remember that syphilis and HIV are the most dangerous." "At the same time, the presence of any sexually transmitted infection greatly increases the risk of contracting the human immunodeficiency virus," the dermatovenerologist stated.