Sexually Transmitted Infections, HIV & AIDS © Sarina Shen

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) Infectious diseases transmitted with some form of intimate, usually sexual, contact Sexual intercourse Oral-genital contact Hand-genital contact Anal intercourse

Chlamydia If symptoms are present, Males: painful and difficult urination, frequent urination and a watery pus-like discharge from the penis Females: yellowish discharge, spotting between periods and occasional spotting after intercourse This infection in women can damage the cervix or fallopian tubes, causing sterility and can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) A term used to describe the various infections of the female reproductive tract Nonsexual causes such as vaginal douching, smoking, and drugs are also common

Gonorrhea (the clap) Caused by a bacteria that usually infects the urethra, genital tract, pharynx, and rectum but may spread to the eyes or other areas of the body via the hands or fluids Male symptoms: white milky discharge from the penis with painful, burning urination Female symptoms: very few experience a discharge or burning sensation with a possible fever

Syphilis Caused by a bacterium that is transferred only by direct sexual contact because it dies upon exposure to air, dryness, or cold Primary syphilis Development of a chancre (painless sore that oozes with bacteria) that disappears in 3 to 6 weeks Secondary syphilis A rash or white patches on the skin or mucus membranes of the mouth, throat, or genitals appears along with possible hair loss, lymph node enlargement, fever and headaches Symptoms again will disappear Latent syphilis Organism begins to invade the body’s other organs Infectious lesions may again reappear Late syphilis Heart and nervous system damage, blindness, deafness, paralysis, senility and insanity

Pubic Lice (crabs) Small parasites that are usually transmitted during sexual contact They attach to pubic hair where they deposit their eggs (nits) When crab lice feed they can inject saliva into the host, causing itching

Genital Warts Caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) The virus penetrates the skin and mucous membranes of the genitals or anus through sexual contact Can be treated with topical medications or removed by being frozen with liquid nitrogen Large warts may require surgical removal

Candidiasis (yeast infection) This yeast like fungus normally inhabits the vaginal tract in most women Under certain conditions, when the normal chemical balance of the vagina is disturbed, these organisms multiply and cause problems Symptoms include severe itching and burning of the vagina and vulva, swelling of the vulva and a white, cheesy discharge

Trichomoniasis (trich) Caused by a protozoan Symptoms include a foamy, yellowish, unpleasant smelling discharge with a burning sensation, itching, and painful urination Usually spread by sexual contact, but can also be spread by toilet seats, wet towels, or other items that have discharge fluid on them

Herpes Genital herpes is caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV) Symptoms include a redness at the site of infection followed by a blister filled with clear fluid containing the virus The blister will crust over, dry up and disappear and the virus will travel to a nerve in the area and stay dormant until the virus becomes reactivated

HIV / AIDS Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the slow acting virus that causes AIDS Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a disease that causes the immune system to become inoperative

Transmitting HIV Engaging in High-Risk Behaviors Unprotected sex, multiple partners Exchange of Body Fluids Vaginal or anal intercourse, deep wet kissing Blood Transfusions prior to 1985 Since 1985, all donated blood is tested Injecting Drugs Sharing or using contaminated needles and syringes Mother-to-Infant (Perinatal) In the womb or exposure during delivery

HIV Symptoms A person may go months or years before any symptoms appear A person may experience infections, colds, sore throats, fever, tiredness, nausea, night sweats and other non-life threatening conditions Meanwhile, their immune system gradually weakens until they are diagnosed with AIDS.

HIV Testing ELISA is a blood test that detects the presence of antibodies to the HIV virus Western blot is a test more accurate than the ELISA to confirm the presence of HIV antibodies

AIDS Treatments Current treatments combine different drugs Older drugs worked by preventing the virus from infecting new cells There are many side effects to the different drugs and getting the right combination and dosage is difficult

Preventing STD’s Latex condoms are the only form of contraception now available that are highly effective in protecting against the transmission of HIV and other STDs Condoms give good disease protection for vaginal sex and can also reduce the risk of disease transmission in oral and anal sex Condoms may not be 100% effective, a lot depends on knowing the right way to buy, store and use them