Sexually Transmitted Diseases or Infections

Gonorrhea Caused by bacteria that can infect the mucous membranes of the penis, vagina, throat, or rectum. Gonorrhea: While reported rates are at historically low levels, cases increased slightly from last year and more than 300,000 cases were reported in 2010. According to the CDC.

What are the signs & symptoms of Gonorrhea? Women often no signs or symptoms; vaginal irritation & discharge; pain in lower abdomen Males frequent, painful urination; heavy yellow discharge of pus from penis; tenderness in groin or testicles; swollen lymph nodes or groin

Gonorrhea Can be cured with antibiotics If it is left untreated it can lead to PID and infertility.

Chlamydia The most common bacterial STD in the USA. Cause: Bacteria In 2010, 1.3 million chlamydia cases were reported.

What are the signs & symptoms of Chlamydia? Women usually no signs or symptoms; painful urination; vaginal discharge; pain in lower abdomen; bleeding between menstrual periods Men often no signs or symptoms; painful, difficult urination; white or yellow discharge from penis

Chlamydia Cure: Antibiotics If left untreated: Can lead to PID and infertility

Genital Herpes: Cause: Virus 2 types of Herpes Virus Type 1 – found above the waist [cold sores or fever blisters on the mouth] Type 2 – found below the waist

What are the signs & symptoms of Genital Herpes? Women usually no signs or symptoms; painful blisters on cervix, vagina, vulva, thighs, or buttocks; sluggish feeling; fever; flu-like symptoms; lymph node enlargement Men usually no signs or symptoms; blisters on penis, thighs, or buttocks; painful urination; sluggish feeling; fever; flu-like symptoms; lymph node enlargement

Herpes Cure: None Genital herpes infection is common in the United States. Nationwide, 16.2%, or about one out of six, people aged 14 to 49 years have genital HSV-2 infection according to the CDC.

Syphilis: Caused by bacteria that can spread through bloodstream to any organ in the body.

What are the signs & symptoms for Syphilis? First signs: small, red bumps at the point of infection, which becomes an open sore oozing fluid (called a chancre)

Syphilis Later signs: a rash; a dull, depressed feeling; fever, joint pain; hair loss, large moist sores around the sex organs or mouth Final stage: blindness; brain damage; paralysis; can cause death

HPV=Human Papilloma Virus Caused by a virus 5 million new cases in U.S. teenagers each year, leading cause of cervical cancer .

What are the signs and symptoms of HPV? causes warts in the genital and anal areas has been linked to cervical cancer and penile cancer NO CURE! Warts can be removed by tricloracetic acid; podophyllin; laser; liquid nitrogen; surgery

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease: An infection of the uterus and fallopian tubes. Caused by Bacteria Signs/Symptoms: vaginal discharge, burning during urination, abdominal or pelvic pain, pain during sexual intercourse, or bleeding between menstrual cycles. If left untreated may result in infertility

Pubic Lice: AKA Crabs Caused by an insect Signs/Symptoms: Intense itching & possible rash in genital area; occasional swelling of lymph nodes in the groin Medicine: Medicated lotions & shampoos

Testing & diagnosis for STDs A person who has an STD can go to a family doctor, or a private doctor to get tested There are public health clinics that offer free or low-cost treatment Clinics can be found in the Yellow Pages

Treatment for STDs After a person takes medicine and feels better, they have to keep taking the medicine until it is completely gone Sex partners should be treated at the same time for certain STDs If both sex partners are not treated at the same time, they can continue to re-infect each other

Myths of STI’s Birth control pills prevent STI’s. Washing the genitals after sex prevents STI’s. It is best to see if an STI goes away on it’s own before going to the doctor. The medicine for one kind of STI will cure any STI As soon as the person feels better, he or she can stop taking their medicine. If one sex partner is treated for an STI, the other partner doesn’t need to be. It is easy to tell if a person has an STI.