The sores and ulcers caused by FGS can provide an easy way for the HIV virus to enter the body. As a result, FGS increases the risk of becoming HIV positive. Women with FGS are around three to four times more likely to have HIV than those without.

There is also a concern that schistosomiasis, including FGS and MGS, may lower the efficacy of anti-retroviral drugs (ART) used to treat HIV. Clinical trials are underway to see if regular treatment with Praziquantel (PZQ), the drug used to treat schistosome infections, can prevent FGS and HIV infections.

If you are living with HIV and think you may be experiencing symptoms of FGS, you should talk to your healthcare provider about the medications you are on and the best way to manage your health.

Like many other health conditions, FGS can have a stigma attached to it. Stigma comes from poor information and misunderstanding and can make life a lot harder for people experiencing FGS.

In the case of FGS, a lot of the stigma that surrounds it comes from the fact that many of the symptoms of FGS are wrongly associated with sexual activity. This can lead to people wrongly believing that people with FGS are more sexually active or have more sexual partners, neither of which are true. There can also be stigma related to infertility or subfertility, both of which can be a result of having FGS.

Stigma can lead to women and girls experiencing negative thoughts and feelings and fears of talking about their symptoms or revealing a diagnosis. Women and girls should be offered support to address their feelings and improve their mental wellbeing.

In the first instance, just being there and listening can often make a big difference. Stigma affects people in different ways and different people will appreciate different types of support. Try not to make assumptions about how they are feeling. If someone is in real distress, they may need to be referred for further psychological support.