Nurse: Other STIs can lead to HIV/AIDS infections

 SEXUALLY-transmitted infections should be seriously dealt with and treated early because they could lead to HIV/AIDs, a nurse says.

Janet Tunu, a registered nursing officer from Mendi, Southern Highlands, has been dealing with HIV and sexually-transmitted infections and sexual health issues for 12 years.

“STIs like gonorrhea, syphilis, donovanosi, clymedia and venerealwarts must be treated early as soon as signs and symptoms – such as crab louse and vaginal and penile discharge – are identified,” she said.

“If untreated, it opens the door for HIV virus to get into people. 

“When a HIV positive person has sex with someone who has untreated STIs, the the virus passes very easily.”

Tunu is the programme coordinator for women infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS.

She said with the support of HIV-positive women in Port Moresby, she registered the association called WABHA (Women infected and affected by HIV/AIDS) so that they could be cared for and have access to treatment.

This includes zero discrimination and stigma under the umbrella of Papua New Guinea culture and religious value.

Tunu aims to pursue her training in sexual health to be a specialist. Tunu said she had been accepted to pursue a Masters in Science Medicine programmme, specialising in STI/HIV and sexual health, at Sydney University, Australia next year.

However, she needs K100,000 as her school fee to do her masters course.