Sexually Transmitted Infections Health Education Mr. Sheldon

Viruses Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Herpes Hepatitis B Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Not curable – can only treat the symptoms!

HPV Direct cause of cervical cancer Symptoms: warts or no symptoms Highly contagious with or without symptoms Spread through skin to skin contact, oral, vaginal, anal sex Not curable – possible for girls to be vaccinated before exposure Can be passed from mother to child at birth Prevention – no sexual contact. Condom has limited effectiveness

Herpes 1 in 5 Americans Simplex 1 – Mouth (cold sores) Simplex 2 – Genitals Transmitted: skin to skin, mouth to genitals, touching sore then touching skin Symptoms: rash/blisters Can cause birth defects and passed mother to child Treatment: medication for outbreaks Condoms provide limited protection during outbreak. Possible to transmit virus even when not experiencing outbreak.

Hepatitis B Causes infection of the liver Transmitted through oral, anal, vaginal sexual contact, sharing needles, mother to child. Symptoms: Flu like, jaundice, or no symptoms. No cure for Hepatitis B – vaccine can be taken before exposure.

HIV/AIDS Causes weakening of the immune system. HIV is the virus. Blood count level determines when someone has AIDS. Present in Blood, Semen, Vaginal fluid, breast milk. Ways of transmission: Oral, anal, vaginal sex, sharing needles, mother to child

HIV Continued Signs & Symptoms No symptoms Average time between HIV infection & AIDS is 8-11 years Over time, HIV causes body to develop infections normally controlled by immune system Diagnosed through blood test Treatment: No cure – drugs to allow people to live with HIV for longer periods of time.

Bacterial Gonorrhea Syphilis Chlamydia Treated with antibiotics.

Gonorrhea 40 Million infections in United States Grows in warm, moist places (uterus, fallopian tubes, urethra, throat, mouth) Symptoms: often none Women: burning sensation when urinating, discharge Men: burning sensation when urinating, discharge, swollen testicles Prevention: no physical contact with exposed person

Gonorrhea Causes infertility in both men and women Easier to catch HIV when infected with Gonorrhea Can spread to blood system leading to death. Antibiotics used to treat, do not prevent future infections.

Syphilis Very few cases in US (less than 40,000) Passed by touching sores on infected person, sexual contact Very few symptoms: sores first (first 6 weeks), Skin rash, long term damage to heart, brain, eyes, liver. Treated very easily with antibiotics Untreated leads to death

Chlamydia Teenage girls have highest risk (not fully developed cervix) “silent disease” – most people have no symptoms. Symptoms: Women: abdominal pain, bleeding, nausea Men: discharge, burning sensation when urinating

Chlamydia Causes infertility in women & men Transmitted through vaginal, anal and oral sex. Treated with antibiotics Condoms: reduce risk of transmission

Parasites Pubic Lice Scabies Treated with Shampoos/Lotions.

Pubic Lice – “Crabs” Tiny insects live in pubic hair – feed on human blood. 3 million cases per year in U.S. Spread through physical contact & linens Symptoms: itching

Scabies Mite that burrows into skin Lays eggs under skin Symptoms: Intense itching, red bumps, crusty skin Spread through physical contact, sharing clothing, towels, bedding

Scabies

Pubic Lice

Testing Not having sex Most be done by a doctor! Should be tested before and after sexual contact. Only 1 Method of birth control guarantees you will not become infected: Not having sex