On July 16th, students from the natural resources biotechnology major in Quito took part in a talk about sexually transmitted diseases, which was organized by UPS professor Luis Alberto Valdes Silverio. The aim was to disseminate current and scientific information regarding this issue.

There were participants from Universidad de las Américas (UDLA), Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ), and doctors from the Ministry of Public Health. Students discussed this problem which is affecting 15 to 29 year old people who are sexually active and most of which belong to vulnerable sectors of Latin America and Ecuador.

The topics were HIV, herpes virus, Human Papillomavirus, Hepatitis B and Cytomegalovirus. Focusing on the pathological characteristics, international and national epidemiology, as well as social and psychological aspects among affected individuals and finally protective measures to prevent infection and the spread of these physiological abnormalities known as Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs).

Interesting data about the topics:

Hepatitis B: students reported that it is a potentially fatal liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and is a major health problem worldwide. It can cause chronic liver disease and carries a high risk of death from cirrhosis and liver cancer. Since 1982 there is a vaccine with a 95% effective rate in preventing infection and the occurrence of a chronic disease and liver cancer due to hepatitis B. In addition, HBV is a common cause of acute and chronic liver disease. It is decreasing in recent years thanks to vaccination programs.