Introduction to Sexual Health and STI

Running Head: INTRODUCTION TO SEXUAL HEALTH AND STI 0
Introduction to Sexual health and STI
9/4/2018

INTRODUCTION TO SEXUAL HEALTH AND STI 1
Contents
Introduction.........................................................................................................2
Living with HIV..................................................................................................2
Impact of HIV on physical and emotional health and wellbeing.........................2
Importance of physical and emotional aspects for Health-care professionals......3
Evaluation of the Role of healthcare professionals..............................................4
Professional aspects of the Healthcare practice related to HIV Infected people..4
Conclusion...........................................................................................................5
References...........................................................................................................6

INTRODUCTION TO SEXUAL HEALTH AND STI 2
Introduction
The report brings about the discussion on, ‘Sexual health on individuals, and the
impact on sexually transmitted infection on the wellbeing of individuals or a group in a
society. Sexual health of an individual plays an important role in affecting the overall health
i.e. physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing or wellness. Sexual health and the diseases or
issues associated with it include one of the most influencing and common health issue,
known as HIV. It stands for human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency
virus, is a prevalent public health issue in the society. HIV is the pandemic, which is
considered as one of the most contemporary sexual health related issue affecting the human
race today, especially the youth and the adults. The issue has a high and increasing impact on
the health of an individual, leading to the long-term impact leading to death. As the issue is
general, and commonly spread in Africa, therefore the assessment of the health issues and
impact of the communicable diseases on the age group of 13-24 years (Whiteside, 2016).
Living with HIV
HIV is the retrovirus that leads to the acquired immunodeficiency virus, i.e. Aids.
HIV virus spreads through certain fluids in the body that affects the T cells (CD4) in the
human body. Over time, if not treated, it can affect the individual with severe infections and
diseases. The T-cells in the body are the special skills that help an individual to fight with
infections and diseases, and the untreated HIV decreases these cells in the body. Therefore, it
disturbs the immune system of the human being in the long-term. The common causes or
HIV is spread through vaginal or oral sex, shared needles, pregnancy or during breastfeeding.
Living with HIV, is a very complicated and scary as it leads to severe impact on the health
and wellbeing of an individual, but it can be dealt well with effective medical care. As like
other severe diseases such as cancer, HIV also has the risk of spreading leading to AIDS.
This is considered the last stage of the infection with HIV (Bourne, et.al, 2015).
Impact of HIV on physical and emotional health and wellbeing
One of the most serious health issues which has been largely influencing the health of the
people in the modern society over years. Since the beginning of this epidemic, it has been
found that more than 70 million, have been affected by the HIV and 35 million has died with
the same. With the end of the year, 2017 36.9 million people are found to be suffering with
the HIV infection. Considering the statistics and the prevalence of the infection, there is a
severe impact on the physical and emotional health and wellbeing. As with the impact of HIV
on the physical health, the impact is highly variable, it varies from person to person and their
health condition. HIV impact on the various body parts and the systems in the body (Cooper,
et.al, 2016).
 Respiratory and cardiovascular systems, HIV increase the risk of cold, influenza, and
pneumonia, and put the individual at a greater risk of facing the problems like