RCC: After Effects - Sexually Transmitted Infections

Most sexually transmitted infections (STI’s) can be treated, but you will need to go and see a doctor or your clinic as soon as possible. If you are near our Somerset West Crisis Centre, we can help you as well, week days 08h30 – 17h00. If you have been raped call our 24-hour crisis line right now 083 484 9409.

If you need advice right now, please:

Call the toll-free AIDS Helpline (0800-012-322) and ask to be transferred to the Treatment Line (Professional Nurses provide quality, accurate and anonymous telephone information and/or education on antiretroviral, TB and STI treatment).

STI’s are infections passed from one person to another through sexual contact. There are 20 – 30 different infectious diseases which can be transmitted by sexual contact. 1 in every 10 sexually active persons in South Africa is infected with an STI (1 in 5 are HIV+).

STI’s can cause long-term complications and can spread rapidly, if not properly treated.

Symptoms of common STI’s include:

Women – painful urination and discharge, itching, ulcers, fever, fatigue, weight loss, painful joints, nausea, vomiting, lower abdominal pain, pain during intercourse, pain during menstruation, red or pink pin sized swellings (usually in clusters), lower back pain, rash, abscess or sores or blisters on vagina, ulcers in the mouth, changes in menstruation, vesticles on genitals, raw areas and inflammation on inner thighs, perineum and vulva, bladder infection, frequent urination, intermittent bleeding.

Men – painful and frequent drip or discharge from penis, blood stains on underwear, burn on urinating, itching, ulcers, weight loss, fatigue, lower abdominal pain, vomiting, nausea, fever, painful joints, red or pink pin sized swellings (usually in clusters), lower back pain, rash, abscess or sores or blisters on penis, ulcers in the mouth, film-like discharge on meatus usually in the morning, urethral irritation, red irritation on penis, frequent urination, intermittent bleeding, vesticles on genitals.

For more information about STI’s please go to: http://www.safersex.co.za/index.htm

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After being raped, even if you do not open a case please: Get evidence collected within 24 hours and no later than 72 hours (the police will take you to the rape crisis centre or hospital) Get anti-retrovirals & emergency contraception within 72 hours (anti-retrovirals are free to rape victims at government hospitals) Get antibiotic medication to prevent other sexually transmitted infections Get counselling from a person trained in rape trauma counselling - it is never too late
You can get all of the above free at our office at Helderberg Hospital, Somerset West Call 083 484 9409 (24 hours a day) or 021-852 5620 (office hours) or write to help@crisiscentre.org.za. You do not have to go through this alone.
RAPE TRAUMA SYNDROME is a recognised response to rape and sexual abuse and it includes a variety of problems including various long-term consequences, the symptoms are similar to Post Traumatic Stress. Although many rape survivors suffer from the symptoms of Rape Trauma Syndrome, not all survivors respond to rape in the same way. It is important to treat each rape survivor as an individual and to try and understand what the rape means to that particular person. Coping with being raped may also be more difficult if family, friends and colleagues are not supportive and/or blame the survivor. After the shock has passed, some survivors try to act as if nothing has happened. This is their way of trying to block out the rape, because they feel that they won't be able to cope if they let themselves remember what happened to them. However, if a rape survivor is going to recover well from the impact of a rape, s/he must let her/himself remember the rape and feel whatever s/he is feeling inside. When s/he does start remembering and feeling, s/he will also start suffering from symptoms, but these usually improve gradually over time. It often helps a survivor to have counselling if s/he is experiencing symptoms that upset her/him. The effects of rape are long term. Rape survivors never forget being raped, but many learn how to deal with the memory. Studies have shown that the symptoms suffered by a rape survivor three months after a rape usually continue over the next three to four years, although they do seem to improve over time. Sadly South Africa holds the for the highest rapes world-wide. Interpol estimates that over 1 million women are raped each year in South Africa.
We want to help you to "PUT THE PIECES TOGETHER AGAIN".