New STI Circulating in Jamaica – Persons Unaware of Infection
Jamaicans are again being reminded to practice safer sex following the discovery of a new sexually transmitted infection circulating locally.
Chief DNA analyst compton Beecher at the Caribbean Genetics (CARIGEN), has found that a number of Jamaican men and women have unknowingly contracted Mycoplasma genitalium, which often does not show any symptoms until later in life.
Beecher who has been a forensic scientist for over tw0 decades stated: “The frightening thing is that we are seeing so much of it and it is something that we don’t normally look for”.
Mycoplasma genitalium is a sexually transmissible infection caused by bacteria.
Both men and women can become infected.
In men, Mycoplasma can infect the inside lining of the penis (urethra).
In women, Mycoplasma can infect the neck of the womb (cervix) and possibly the womb (uterus) itself and fallopian tubes.
There is no evidence it can infect the throat of women or men.
Symptoms for men may include: discharge from the penis, burning pain while passing urine in men while women might experience pain during sex, unusual vaginal discharge, bleeding after sex and between periods and lower pelvic pain.
Some men and women may produce or show no symptoms. Mycoplasma should be treated with antibiotics. The antibiotics may be a single dose or a longer course. Sometimes courses may need to be repeated.
Source: The Gleaner