MANILA, Philippines - When speaking of STIs or STDs (sexually transmitted infections and sexually transmitted diseases), what appears to be more disturbing than the statistics is the lack of it. Due to its delicate nature, “this kind of data is considered not reportables” says Dr. Francisca Roa, president of the Philippine Society of Venereologists, Inc. (PSVI). If at all, it is often under reported or the data is not accurate. It is said that for every 100 cases that are reported, probably another 100 are not reported.
Due to the social stigma attached to it, instead of seeking medical attention, many of those who may have the symptoms of STI self-medicate. What’s worse, many STIs, such as HPV, are asymptomatic and so remain undetected. Consequently, infected persons can transmit it without knowing that they themselves are infected. Infection can increase the risk of contracting long-term health problems such as infertility, cervical cancer, pelvic and tubal inflammatory disease, and ectopic pregnancy. Despite the limited data available, it is a known fact that STIs are a major cause of morbidity in the Philippines.
STIs, the most common of which are urethritis, genital warts, genital herpes, and gonorrhea, raise the risk of acquiring infections such as HIV and HPV or human papillomavirus. HPV causes genital warts in both men and women; cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancers in women, and anal and penile cancers in men, while HIV can lead to AIDS.
With the support from global healthcare leader MSD (Merck Sharp & Dohme), PSVI recently held its 9th biennial convention entitled “Sex in the City” featuring field updates and statistics, patient trends, and treatment guidelines on STIs and STDs in the Philippines. Here are some of the available data: “There are 32 million worldwide who are diagnosed with genital warts each year. US data shows that at least 50 percent of sexually active individuals will get HPV. Local data from the Department of Health shows that the number of HIV cases has hiked up to 87 percent by July of this year, with 131 individuals testing positive. To date, there have been 5,364 HIV cases since the country’s first reported case in 1984, with the annual totals steadily increasing every year.”
“We don’t have to wait to be another Africa,” says Dr. Gilbert C. Yang, a director of the board of the PSVI, which has for its mission “to promote ethical practices at the highest standards of health care in the prevention and control of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV/AIDS.” PSVI is engaged in promoting public awareness regarding the prevention and control of different kinds of STIs.
The PSVI is a fellowship of 3,000 physicians and specialists in different fields including dermatology, infectious diseases, ob-gyne, urology, and family medicine. Both Dr. Roa and Dr. Yang are dermatologists. Dr. Yang clarifies, “Dermatologists specialize in diseases of the skin, hair, and nails. STIs normally present themselves on the skin, so we are usually the first to see it.”
STIs are usually acquired through intimate relations with an infected partner. The demographics of patients include young adults in the 18-24 age group where most cases of STIs were found by the Sentinel STI Etiologic Surveillance System in 2004. The incidence is found predominantly among males who appear to be more adventurous, more sexually active than females, and tend to have more partners. There is also the alarming result of a study that showed the rising incidence of STIs among those who work in call centers.
“Filipinos should take their sexual health more seriously,” says Dr. Roa. “With the prevalence of STI cases in the country even among adolescents, it is important to spread awareness on how these infections are acquired and how best to prevent and treat them.”
It is good to be aware of certain tell-tale signs such as a burning sensation when one urinates, yellowish or reddish discharge, and presence of genital warts. “You should see your obstetrician and go for your regular pap smear tests,” is Dr. Roa’s advice.
“The most effective way of preventing STDs and minimizing the risk of infection is complete abstinence from body and fluid contact with another person,” says Dr. Yang.
Fidelity to one partner, as opposed to promiscuity, also cuts the risks, he points out.
Fortunately, some STIs can be prevented through vaccination which is available for both men and women, to help protect against hepatitis B and HPV which can cause genital warts, cervical cancer, and other HPV-related diseases. “A vaccine against cervical cancer, which is the second most common cancer among Filipino women, is available,” says Dr. Roa. “It is 95-100% effective. It can be given to those as young as nine years old or as old as 46 years old.” The vaccine has been on the market for some time, and yet consumption is still low. Dr. Roa believes that it is the doctor’s obligation to make available information that will safeguard the health of their patients.
PSVI is committed to fighting the spread of STIs, especially HPV which is “potentially fatal, highly communicable and yet preventable.” The society’s doctor members are there to help. “If it hits you, at least you know where to go,” says Dr. Roa.
For more information, consult your doctor and log on to www.helpfighthpv.com.