The most common sexually transmitted diseases in Spain

In Spain, as well as in the rest of the world, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are a public health problem. According to the Ministry of Health, around 145,000 new cases of STDs are diagnosed in Spain every year. In this article, we will talk about the most common sexually transmitted diseases in Spain and answer some frequently asked questions on the topic.

What are the most common sexually transmitted diseases in the population?

The most common STDs in Spain are:

• Chlamydia: It is an STD caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis. It is transmitted through vaginal, anal, or oral sexual contact with an infected person. It can affect both men and women and, in most cases, presents no symptoms.
• Human papillomavirus (HPV): It is an STD caused by the human papillomavirus. It is transmitted through vaginal, anal, or oral sexual contact with an infected person. Most people infected with HPV do not have symptoms, but some may develop genital warts or cervical cancer.
• Genital herpes: It is an STD caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). It is transmitted through vaginal, anal, or oral sexual contact with an infected person. It can cause painful blisters on the genitals, anus, and mouth.
• Gonorrhea: It is an STD caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae. It is transmitted through vaginal, anal, or oral sexual contact with an infected person. In some cases, it can cause pain when urinating and discharge from the genitals.
• HIV: It is an STD caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It is transmitted through vaginal, anal, or oral sexual contact, as well as through the use of shared needles or from mother to child during pregnancy or childbirth. HIV weakens the immune system and can lead to the development of AIDS.

What is the easiest STD to contract?

The ease of contracting an STD depends on many factors, such as the type of STD, the amount of virus or bacteria present in the body of the infected person, and the type of sexual contact. Generally, the easiest STDs to contract are chlamydia, gonorrhea, and HPV.

Where are there more STDs in Spain?

According to data from the Ministry of Health, the regions of Spain with the highest number of STD cases are Catalonia, Andalusia, and the Valencian Community. These regions account for 50% of new STD diagnoses in Spain.

What percentage of the Spanish population has an STD?

There is no exact data on the percentage of the Spanish population that has an STD, as many people may be infected without knowing it due to the lack of symptoms. However, it is estimated that around 10% of sexually active people in Spain have some form of STD.

What STIs are lifelong?

Some STIs are lifelong and have no cure, such as genital herpes and HIV. These STIs can be treated with medications to control symptoms and prevent transmission, but they cannot be completely eliminated from the body once contracted. Some of these STIs include HIV, human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis B, and genital herpes.

HIV is one of the most serious STIs as it attacks the immune system and can lead to AIDS. Currently, it is estimated that there are around 140,000 people living with HIV in Spain.

HPV is the most common STI worldwide. In Spain, it is estimated that around 80% of sexually active population will become infected at some point in their life. HPV can cause genital warts and cervical cancer, among other types of cancer.

Another common STI in Spain is chlamydia, which is estimated to affect around 5% of the sexually active population. Chlamydia often does not present symptoms, which means that many people do not realize they have it until they experience complications such as infertility.

Gonorrhea is also a common STI, especially among young people. It is estimated to affect around 1% of the sexually active population in Spain. Gonorrhea can cause pain and discharge in the urethra and other sexual organs.

As for syphilis, although its incidence has decreased in Spain, cases are still reported. Syphilis is a bacterial infection that can cause skin lesions, neurological and cardiovascular problems, and other serious complications if left untreated.

Remember that the best way to protect yourself against STIs is by practicing safe sex and getting tested regularly. If you think you may have an STI, consult a doctor for appropriate treatment.

https://www.medmesafe.com/sexually-transmitted-diseases-test-7-std

In addition, at MedmeSafe we offer STI testing so you can find out if you have any of these diseases. Visit our sexually transmitted disease testing page for more information about our offers and promotions. Stay safe and healthy!

References:

Clément Destoumieux

PRESENT: + 20 years in complex legal and IT projects in France, the UK and Spain Expert in BioExpert exclusive network of experts in the sectors of life science and investment. Startups coordinator of ANIS (Spanish Association of Health Journalists) Lider ehealth in Asociación Española de Start up Active member of ASEBIO (Leading Spanish Biotech Association) PAST: Sociedad Española Informática de la Salud MBA in Ecole Des Mines – Nantes Master Degree in Ipag Business School in Paris