STI’s Mrs. Gennaro

Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) Condition in women where the normal balance of bacteria is disrupted and replaced by an overgrowth of a certain bacteria. Symptoms discharge, odor, pain, Itching, or burning

Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) Some women don’t know they have BV- They have no Symptoms Some women who have never had sex may be affected by BV (common in pregnant women) Pregnant women may have premature or low birth-weight babies

Complications of Bacterial Vaginosis Having BV can increase a woman’s susceptibility to HIV infection if she is exposed to HIV virus. Having BV increases the chances that an HIV infected woman can pass HIV to her partner Having BV has been associated with an increase in the development of an infection causing surgical procedures (hysterectomy or abortion) Having BV while pregnant may put a woman at increased risk for some complications of pregnancy such as preterm delivery. BV can increase a woman’s susceptibility to other STIs such as: Herpes Simplex Virus, Chlamydia, and Gonorrhea

Chlamydia Most common STI reported in the United States Easy to cure, however, Chlamydia can impact a woman’s ability to have children if left untreated Most common among young people- Estimated that 1 in 15 sexually active females aged 14019 years has chlamydia.

Chlamydia How to get Chlamydia: Having sex with someone who has the infection Vaginal Oral Anal Even if the male does not ejaculate Chlamydia can still be transmitted. People who have had chlamydia and have been treated can get infected again if they have sex with an infected person. Chlamydia can also be spread from an infected woman to her baby during childbirth. Also known as the “Silent” infection because infected people have no symptoms – If symptoms do occur they may not appear until several weeks after exposure Even when it causes no symptoms, Chlamydia can damage a woman’s reproductive organs.

Chlamydia In women: In Men: Bacteria first infects the cervix (connects to the birth canal to the uterus or womb) Discharge or burning during urination Untreated Spread upwards to the uterus and fallopian tubes causing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) In Men: Burning sensation during urination

Gonorrhea Caused by a bacterium Grows easily in warm, moist areas of the reproductive tract (cervix, womb, fallopian tubes, and urine canal –women and men) How to get it: Having sex Vaginal Anal Oral Spread from an untreated mother to her baby during childbirth

Gonorrhea Symptoms in men: Burning sensation during urination White, yellow, or green discharge (usually appears 1 to 14 days after infection) Symptoms in women: Most women with gonorrhea do not have any symptoms If they do- mild and can be mistaken for a bladder or vaginal infection Initial symptoms in women: Painful or burning sensation when urinating Increased discharge Vaginal bleeding between periods Risk of developing serious complications from the infection, even if symptoms are not present or are mild Untreated Gonorrhea can spread to the blood or joints – this condition can be life-threatening.

Genital Herpes Symptoms: Most individuals experience either no symptoms or have a very mild symptoms that go unnoticed or are mistaken for another skin condition. (Most infected don’t know they are infected) If they do occur: Appear as one or more blisters on or around genitals, rectum, or mouth If blisters break they leave painful sores that may take two to four weeks to heal First time someone has an outbreak they may also experience flu-like symptoms such as fever, body aches and swollen glands.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) HPV- there are more than 40 types of HPV that can infect the genital areas of males and females can also infect the mouth and throat HPV can cause serious health problems: Genital warts and certain cancers No way to tell who will develop health problems from HPV In most cases HPV goes away by itself before it causes health problems, and most people who become infected with HPV don’t know they have it Pass through genital contact Vaginal sex Anal sex Oral sex

Syphilis Easy to cure in early stages Signs/Symptoms: Firm, round, small, and painless sore on the genitals, anus, or mouth, or a rash on the body – especially on the palms of the hands or the soles of the feet. Transmitted from person to person by direct contact with syphilis sores. Pregnant women with the disease can pass it to their unborn children.

Primary Stage Single sore marks first stage. Sore appears where syphilis entered the body Sore is painless and may go unnoticed Sore lasts 3-6 weeks heals regardless of whether or not a person is treated.

Secondary Stage (if not treated in primary) Starts with a rash on one or more areas of body. Can appear from the time primary sore heals to several weeks after the sore has healed. Rash does not cause itching- may appear as rough, red, or reddish brown Looks different on other parts of the body Large, raised, gray, or white lesions may develop in warm, moist areas (mouth/underarm/groin area) Other symptoms: fever, swollen lymph glands, sore throat, patchy hair loss, headaches, weight loss, muscle aches, and fatigue

Late and Latent Stages Hidden stage of syphilis Begins when primary and secondary symptoms disappear. Without treatment : Infected person can continue to have syphilis in their body even though there are not signs or symptoms

Pubic Lice (Crab) Spreads through sexual contact

STI’s and pregnant women STIs can be passed from a pregnant woman to the baby before, during, or after the baby’s birth. Some STDs (like syphilis) cross the placenta and infect the baby while it is in the uterus (womb). Other STDs (like gonorrhea, chlamydia, hepatitis B, and genital herpes) can be transmitted from the mother to the baby during delivery as the baby passes through the birth canal. HIV can cross the placenta during pregnancy, infect the baby during the birth process, and unlike most other STDs, can infect the baby through breastfeeding

Pregnant women and STI’s A pregnant woman with an STI may also have early onset of labor, premature rupture of the membranes surrounding the baby in the uterus, and uterine infection after delivery.

Harmful effects of STI’s in babies The harmful effects of STDs in babies may include: stillbirth (a baby that is born dead) low birth weight (less than five pounds) conjunctivitis (eye infection) Pneumonia neonatal sepsis (infection in the baby’s blood stream) neurologic damage Blindness Deafness Acute hepatitis Meningitis Chronic liver disease Cirrhosis Most of these problems can be prevented if the mother receives routine prenatal care, which includes screening tests for STDs starting early in pregnancy and repeated close to delivery, if necessary. Other problems can be treated if the infection is found at birth.

Can STI’s be treated during pregnancy? Chlamydia Gonorrhea Syphilis Trichomoniasis Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) c can be treated and cured with antibiotics during pregnancy. There is no cure for viral STIs such as: Genital Herpes and HIV, but antiviral medication may be appropriate for pregnant women with herpes and definitely is for those with HIV. For women who have active genital herpes lesions at the time of delivery, a cesarean delivery (C-section) may be performed to protect the newborn against infection. C-section is also an option for some HIV-infected women. Women who test negative for hepatitis B may receive the hepatitis B vaccine during pregnancy.