STI: Sexually Transmitted Infections

Anatomy basics

Anatomy basics

Anatomy basics

Chlamydia Caused by a bacteria Spread sexually by an infected partner, A/O/V An untreated mother can transmit chlamydia to her unborn baby Most females have no symptoms – 70%, 50% of males have no symptoms Two of the possible symptoms: can cause burning during urination discharge from the vagina or penis can be cured by antibiotics tested for through a family physician or public health clinic Can lead to infertility caused by Pelvic Inflammatory Disease in females and infertility in males (damages the epididymis and urethra)

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) is a serious side effect of other bacterial STIs. Females under 25 have a much greater risk of this because the cervix may not be fully matured. The more partner a female has, the greater the risk.

Herpes caused by two types of virus – HSV1, HSV2 Transmitted through A/O/V sexual contact. HSV1 – contact with saliva is the most common mode to spread the virus HSV2 – usually by sexual contact with a person with the blisters or sores Can be passed as well by someone with no symptoms A mother can pass the virus to her baby during childbirth Symptoms can include recurring, painful blisters on mouth or genitals NO cure for herpes Medication can help the blisters to heal faster but cannot cure them

HIV/AIDS Spread by a virus that is blood borne Spread through sexual contact (anal sex particularly risky) with an infected person (A/O/V) Spread by sharing needles – for drugs, tattooing or piercing A mother can transmit the virus to her baby during pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding some symptoms: acute flu-like illness, high fever (2 weeks) , chronic diarrhea (3 weeks), extreme tiredness there is no cure for HIV/AIDS - good treatments exist for those who can afford it

Genital Warts caused by a virus (HPV) - papillomavirus spread by sexual contact the warts can appear 1-20 months after sexual contact with an infected person warts are sometimes soft and pink, others are hard, yellow-grey there is no cure for genital warts, but the warts can be treated There is a vaccine against HPV HPV is the leading cause of cervical cancer

Hepatitis B caused by a virus virus is found in blood, semen, vaginal fluids and saliva spread by sexual contact with an infected partner, or infected blood in used needles (drugs, tattoo, piercing), sharing toothbrushes or razors mothers can pass hepatitis B on to their babies symptoms can include tiredness, not hungry, yellow skin most people get better and can no longer pass on the virus, others do pass on the virus Hep B has a safe and effective vaccine

Gonorrhea Caused by a bacteria Spread by sexual contact (A/O/V) with an infected partner A mother can pass gonorrhea to her baby during childbirth More than 50% of men and women have no symptoms, often do not know they have the STI Symptoms include pain during urination, discharge from the vagina or penis Can be cured by antibiotics Can lead to infertility caused by Pelvic Inflammatory Disease in females and infertility in males (damages the epididymis and urethra)

Syphilis Caused by bacteria Transmitted by sexual contact with an infected person (A/O/V) and to an unborn child from their mother (leads to stillbirth or death shortly after birth) Can be treated with antibiotics Stages – 1 – a sore on the genitals or mouth, 2 – a skin rash and sore throat followed by a “hidden” phase (may last for years), 3- serious damage (e.g. blindness)

Trichomoniasis Caused by a protozoan parasite Transmitted by sexual contact with an infected person where fluids are exchanged (can be passed on by fingers) Can be treated with antibiotics Leads to vaginitis (inflammation of the vagina and vulva) and urethritis (inflammation of the urethra) – symptoms include (female) discharge, pain, itching and (male) discharge, pain with urination If women are pregnant with trich, it may result in miscarriage, pre-term birth.

The ONLY 100% way to prevent STI infection is abstinence In Summary: Be conscious of the symptoms of STIs Pain when urinating Unusual discharge from genitals Genital pain, abdominal pain Sores or blisters Remember: some very harmful infections have NO NOTICEABLE SYMPTOMS! The ONLY 100% way to prevent STI infection is abstinence

Some local statistics In Waterloo Region, the teen pregnancy rate is 30.8 per 1000 females 15-19 - highest of all urban areas in Ontario. includes live births, miscarriages and abortions. rate is higher than Toronto (27.4) and Ontario average (25.7). In WR, the number of teens who say they have had sexual intercourse is lower than the Ontario average (36.9% of boys, 35.1% of girls) – ages 15-19. Chlamydia – 263 confirmed cases a year (80% female) – 1,212 out of 100,000 – ages 15-19 , rate increasing yearly

Some local statistics Interesting (scary!) note: in 2010 there were over 5000 cases of chlamydia reported in WR – almost 4 times the number of cases of the flu! Gonorrhea rates are lower HIV rates in WR are currently at 7 per 100,000 (no age descriptor given) Rates of HIV are declining in Ontario Younger women remain a higher risk category