Choose the correct statements about sexually transmitted infections (STIs):
A. Sexually transmitted infections are also collectively called venereal diseases (VD) or reproductive tract infections (RTI).
B. Hepatitis-B and HIV can also be transmitted from an infected mother to the foetus.
C. Infected males may often be asymptomatic and hence may remain undetected for long.
D. The social stigma attached to STIs deters infected persons from going for timely detection and proper treatment.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → A, B and D only
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are infections that pass from one person to another mainly through sexual intercourse. Most of them can be cured if they are found early, but many cases are found late because the early signs are mild or absent.
Statement A: Sexually transmitted infections are also collectively called venereal diseases (VD) or reproductive tract infections (RTI). — True. The three names, STI, VD and RTI, are used for the same group of infections, such as gonorrhoea, syphilis, genital herpes and HIV infection.
Statement B: Hepatitis-B and HIV can also be transmitted from an infected mother to the foetus. — True. These two infections are not spread by sexual contact alone. They also pass through blood, as with shared needles or transfusion, and from the mother to the foetus.
Statement C: Infected males may often be asymptomatic and hence may remain undetected for long. — False. The book says this of infected females, not males. Asymptomatic means showing no symptoms, so such women may not know that they carry the infection. With “females” changed to “males”, the line is no longer correct.
Statement D: The social stigma attached to STIs deters infected persons from going for timely detection and proper treatment. — True. Fear of what others will think keeps many people away from the doctor. A late diagnosis can lead to complications such as pelvic inflammatory diseases (PID), ectopic pregnancy and infertility.
NCERT Extract:
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) – “Infections or diseases which are transmitted through sexual intercourse are collectively called sexually transmitted infections (STI) or venereal diseases (VD) or reproductive tract infections (RTI).”
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) – “… Some of these infections like hepatitis–B and HIV can also be transmitted by sharing of injection needles, surgical instruments, etc., with infected persons, transfusion of blood, or from an infected mother to the foetus too. Except for hepatitis-B, genital herpes and HIV infections, other diseases are completely curable if detected early and treated properly. Early symptoms of most of these are minor and include itching, fluid discharge, slight pain, swellings, etc., in the genital region. Infected females may often be asymptomatic and hence, may remain undetected for long. Absence or less significant symptoms in the early stages of infection and the social stigma attached to the STIs, deter the infected persons from going for timely detection and proper treatment.”