Sexually Transmitted Infections

Cause of Chlamydia Bacterium CHLAMYDIA TRACHOMATIS Transmitted by vaginal, anal, and oral sex An estimated 2.8 million Americans are infected with Chlamydia each year. Women are frequently re-infected if their sex partners are not treated.

Symptoms of Chlamydia “Silent” Disease because there are NO SYMPTOMS IF there are symptoms they appear 1-3 weeks after exposure.

Symptoms of Chlamydia FEMALE MALE Infects cervix and urethra Abnormal vaginal discharge Burning sensation while urinating Low back pain Nausea Fever MALE Discharge from penis Burning sensation while urinating Burning and itching around the opening of the penis

Consequences of Chlamydia FEMALE PID (pelvic inflammatory disease) Damage reproductive organs and tissue. Pelvic pain Infertility MALE Complications are rare Spreads to epididymis causing pain, fever, and sterility.

Treatment for Chlamydia Can be easily treated and cured with antibiotics. Re-infection is possible.

Cause of Gonorrhea Bacterium Neisseria Gonorrhoeae Grows in moist areas Cervix,uterus, fallopian tubes and urethra Mouth, throat, eyes, and anus. Contact with penis, vagina, mouth,anus, mother to baby. Ejaculation does not have to occur.

Symptoms of Gonorrhea WOMEN MEN No Symptoms Mild Mistaken for bladder or vaginal infection. Painful, burning sensation with urinating Vaginal discharge Vaginal bleeding MEN No Symptoms Burning sensation while urinating. White, yellow, green discharge from penis. Painful or swollen testicles.

Consequences of Gonorrhea Gonorrhea can spread to the blood or joints and this can be life threatening. WOMEN PID Chronic pelvic pain Infertility MEN Epididymitis – painful condition of the testicles that can lead to infertility if left untreated.

Treatment of Gonorrhea Several antibiotics can successfully cure gonorrhea, however, drug resistant strains of gonorrhea are increasing and successful treatment is more difficult. Many people with Gonorrhea also have chlamydia.

Causes of Syphilis Bacterium Treponenma Pallidum “The great imitator” because so many signs and symptoms are indistinguishable from other diseases. Passed from person to person through direct contact with a syphilis sore.

Symptoms/Consequences Primary Stage Appearance of a single sore or multiple sores Start of the this stage can range from 10-90 days Firm, round, small and painless Secondary Stage Skin rash and mucous membrane lesions. Rough, red or reddish brown spots both on palms and feet. Fever, swollen lymph glands, sore throat, patchy hair loss, weight loss, muscles aches. Late Stage (Hidden Stage) NO SYMPTOMS Damage the internal organs, brain, nerves, eyes, heart, blood vessels, liver, bones and joints.

Treatment of Syphilis Easy to cure in early stages. Injection of penicillin, or an antibiotic Can not repair any damage that already exists.

Cause of Hepatitis B Serious liver disease caused by a virus. (HBV) Sexual contact with an infected person. Exposure to infected blood from skin puncture Contact with mucous membrane 1 out 20 people have Hepatitis B

Symptoms of Hepatitis B No Symptoms Yellow skin or yellowing of the whites of your eyes (jaundice), tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea, abdominal discomfort, dark urine, grey-colored bowel movements, or joint pain.

Consequences of Hepatitis B Some people who become infected develop chronic (lifelong) infection. Chronic infection increases risk for Cirrhosis (scarring of liver), liver cancer, and liver failure.

Treatment of Hepatitis B No medications Antiviral drugs available for the treatment.

Cause of Herpes Herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2 Most genital herpes is caused by HSV-2

Symptoms of Herpes No signs or symptoms One more blisters on or around the genitals. Blisters break, leaving tender ulcers (sores) that may take 2-4 weeks to heal.

Consequences of Herpes Another outbreak can appear weeks or months after the first. The virus remains in body for life. Outbreaks will most likely decrease over a period of years.

Treatment of Herpes NO CURE Antiviral medications can shorten and prevent outbreaks during the time the person is on the medication.

Causes of Genital Warts Virus or Condyloma Passed through sexual contact, anal, vaginal, and sometimes oral. Carry the wart on penis, around vagina.

Symptoms of Genital Warts Not everyone will have signs. Painless wart-like growths on or in sex organs. Warts may vary in size and be bumpy or flat.

Treatment of Genital Warts Women will need to have a pap smear (part of a pelvic exam) every six months to one year. Warts may be treat if wanted. Cold liquid chemical More than one visit

Causes of HPV (human papillomavirus) Genital contact Sexual contact

Symptoms of HPV No signs or symptoms Abnormal pap smear for women. There are no tests for men.

Consequences of HPV Some people get genital warts Some people get pre-cancerous changes in cervix, vulva, anus, and penis. HPV can develop into life threatening cervical cancer. No “cure”

Trichomoniasis Trichomoniasis (or “trich”) is a very common sexually transmitted disease (STD) that is caused by infection with a protozoan parasite.

Symptoms of Trichomoniasis Although symptoms of the disease vary, most women and men who have the parasite cannot tell they are infected. Men with trichomoniasis may feel itching or irritation inside the penis, burning after urination or ejaculation, or some discharge from the penis. Women with trichomoniasis may notice itching, burning, redness or soreness of the genitals, discomfort with urination, or a thin discharge with an unusual smell that can be clear, white, yellowish, or greenish.

Transmitted -Trichomoniasis The parasite is passed from an infected person to an uninfected person during sex. In women, the most commonly infected part of the body is the lower genital tract (vulva, vagina, or urethra), and in men, the most commonly infected body part is the inside of the penis (urethra). During sex, the parasite is usually transmitted from a penis to a vagina, or from a vagina to a penis, but it can also be passed from a vagina to another vagina.

Trichomoniasis Treatment Trichomoniasis can be cured with a single dose of prescription antibiotic medication (either metronidazole or tinidazole), pills which can be taken by mouth People who have been treated for trichomoniasis can get it again. About 1 in 5 people get infected again within 3 months after treatment.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome HIV AND AIDS Human Immunodeficiency Virus Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome

HIV and AIDS HIV- a virus that attacks immune system AIDS – disease where immune system is weakened.

HIV and AIDS As number of viruses increase and number of T cells decrease, immune system becomes less capable of preventing infections and cancer. OPPORTUNISTIC INFECTIONS Cells are destroyed over many months/years. AIDS is the advanced stage of HIV

Modes of Transmission Four “life-giving” fluids: Blood Semen Vaginal secretion Breast Milk

Modes of Transmission Sexual Intercourse: oral, anal, vaginal STD infection increases risk Sharing needles

Symptoms of HIV Fever Rash Headache Body Ache Swollen Glands Symptoms often disappear and are mistaken for the flu.

Stages of HIV Infection Asymptomatic - NO SYMPTOMS 6 months to 10 years or more Symptomatic – symptoms develop as a result of severe drop in immune cells: swollen glands, weight loss and yeast infections AIDS Severely damaged immune system Low number of T cells Opportunistic infections Attacks Brain Cells: difficulty thinking

Detecting HIV EIA Test – screens for presence of HIV antibodies in the blood May give a FALSE NEGATIVE RESULT Developing antibodies takes time Most test positive 3-4 weeks but some take up to 6 months to test positive Western Blot Test (Final Exam Test Question) Most commonly used test in USA. If repeat EIA test is positive If done properly, 100% accurate results

ABSTINENCE!!!! Prevention Avoid high-risk situations Practice good refusal skills Choose your relationships/partners CAREFULLY