Programs Officer at the National AIDS and STI Control Program, Edith Asare Mensah, has reiterated that contracting Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) is not a death penalty.

According to the health practitioner, these infections can be treated and managed, therefore, people who contract the disease should not be ashamed of themselves; instead, they should seek medical attention and counseling to help them overcome it.

She explained that diseases like Chlamydia, Genital Herpes, Gonorrhea, HIV/AIDS, and Syphilis are easily diagnosed, treated, or managed, but the stigma associated with them cause depression in people living with STIs.

“We are seriously working on it and I believe with education we’ll get there. Having it is not a threat or a death penalty; having HIV/AIDS doesn’t mean you are a misfit, you still belong to the society,” she stated.

Speaking with Roselyn Felli on Changes on Wednesday, February 23, 2022, she advised people to stop discriminating against people living with STI, especially HIV/AIDS.

In her view, stigmatisation is one of the challenges in fighting the disease.

“People should make that bold step and seek medical attention for early detection. People with STIs can continue to live a normal life so they should stop the fear of losing their lives,” she advised.

STIs are infections that spread from one person to another, usually during vaginal, anal, and oral sexual intercourse. They’re really common, and lots of people who have them don’t have any symptoms. Without treatment, STIs can lead to serious health problems.

But the good news is that getting tested is no big deal, and most STIs are easy to treat.

Bacteria and viruses that grow in warm, moist places in the body cause STIs. They are passed from one person to another through sex.

Infections can spread from the penis, vagina, mouth or anus. These infections can be minor or they can be very painful, even life-threatening.

In educating people on the best ways to avoid contracting such infections, Edith Mensah, gave some options.

According to her, using a condom correctly during sexual intercourse, having a sexual relationship with only one, long-term partner who has no infections, using clean needles if you are injecting drugs, and practicing proper personal hygiene especially in women, are sure ways to avoid contracting any STI.