Sexually Transmitted Infections The Hidden Epidemic

65 million people in the U.S. are living with an incurable STD. 15 million new cases each year. ¼ of these are in teens. Many cases go undiagnosed and untreated. Why? ◦People are asymptomatic. Don’t seek treatment because they don’t know they are infected. ◦When they are diagnosed, most are not reported to health departments so others can be contacted.

High Risk Behaviors Being sexually active with more than 1 person Engaging in unprotected sex Selecting high risk partners Using alcohol and other drugs

Consequences of STD’s Some STI’s are incurable ◦Pathogens cannot be eliminated from the body ◦Some remain in the body for life Some STI’s cause cancer ◦Hepatitis B can cause cancer of the liver ◦HPV can cause cancer of the cervix

Consequences of STD’s Some can cause a person to become unable to have children Some can be passed from an infected female to her child before, during, or after birth.

Common STD’s U. S. has the highest rates of STI’s in the industrialized world. CDC (center for disease control) reports that STI’s make up more than 85% of the most common communicable diseases.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Most common STI in the U.S. CDC reports that 50-75% of sexually active males and females will have a HPV infection at some point during their life. Most are asymptomatic. No treatment, but most seem to be temporary and are cleared by the immune system.

Genital Warts Pink or reddish warts with cauliflower like tops Appear on the genitals, vagina, or cervix Usually appear 1 to 3 months after infection Highly contagious Spread by any form of sexual contact Treatment can get rid of warts, virus is for life Complications: Cervical Cancer, Newborns

Pictures Genital Warts

Chlamydia Most frequently reported bacterial STD in U. S. 2.8 million people a year are infected Symptoms: Known as “silent” disease ◦¾ women and ½ infected men have no symptoms ◦If symptoms do occur usually 1 to 3 weeks after ◦Women: discharge, burning, abdominal pain ◦Men: discharge, burning sensation

Cont. Treatment: antibiotics Pregnant women can transmit chlamydia ◦Premature birth ◦Baby can get chlamydial infection in eyes and respiratory tract ◦Leading cause of pneumonia in infants and also of pink eye in newborns

Genital Herpes Two types of viruses: Type 1 (cold sores), Type 2 (genital sores) Most have no or minimal signs or symptoms. If symptoms do appear, they appear as blisters. If blisters are present, it usually takes 2 to 4 weeks to heal. Typically you will then have other outbreaks. Infection stays in body indefinitely

Herpes Transmission can occur even if no symptoms are present Symptoms can also be seen as flu-like symptoms No treatment to cure herpes, but antiviral medicines can shorten and prevent outbreaks

Herpes

Herpes

Gonorrhea Bacterial infection Highest rate of infection is found in females from and males from Symptoms: discharge and burning sensation Can be treated with antibiotics If not treated can lead to infertility Can spread to bloodstream Can be passed during childbirth and cause blindness

Gonorrhea

Syphilis Bacterial infection Attacks many body parts First sign are painless reddish sores at infection site Sore will heal but infection can spread through blood to other parts of the body Can damage internal organs: heart, liver, nervous system, and kidneys If untreated it can lead to paralysis, convulsions, blindness, and heart disease Can be transmitted from female to her fetus. Infant may have damaged nervous system and can die

Syphilis

Other common STD’s Pubic Lice: itching, presence of lice and eggs, treated with medicated soaps, no lasting effects Hepatitis B: 90% are asymptomatic, others may show symptoms of vomiting, jaundice, loss of appetite. Antiviral drugs but no cure, cirrhosis of liver, cancer of liver

Lice

Hepatitis

HIV FACTS What is HIV: HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. ◦Disease with many stages. People with HIV may have no symptoms, few symptoms, or many serious symptoms. ◦People can have HIV for many years without feeling or looking sick. They may not know they have it, but they can still pass the virus to others. ◦Over time, HIV damages the body’s immune system. ◦When the immune system gets very weak, other diseases and infections can enter the body. This stage of HIV is called AIDS.

How Do People Get HIV? HIV lives in semen, vaginal fluids, blood and breast milk of a person with HIV. ◦HIV can be passed during vaginal, oral or anal sex ◦HIV can be passed while sharing needles ◦HIV can be passed by needles used for tattoos and piercing or to inject steroids ◦Health workers caring for people with HIV can get it from needle-stick injuries ◦HIV can be passed from a mother to her baby during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding.

HIV is NOT passed by: Before 1985, some people got HIV from infected blood transfusions. Now the blood supply in the US is tested ◦Donating blood ◦Hugging, kissing or sharing food ◦Telephones, toilet seats, towels or eating utensils ◦Tears, saliva, sweat or urine ◦mosquitoes or other insects.

What to Know SEX ◦Don’t have sex. Abstinence is the only way to prevent the transmission of HIV ◦Be Monogamous: Have sex only with a lifetime partner who does not have HIV and who only has sex with you ◦Practice safer sex

What are your Risks? You are at risk if you: ◦Have had sex with a man or woman who has had other partners ◦Have shared injection drug needles, or had sex with someone who has.

The HIV Test The HIV test looks for HIV antibodies in your body If you have antibodies, your test result will be positive. Therefore you have HIV If you don’t have antibodies, your test will be negative. This means one of two things ◦You don’t have HIV ◦You have HIV, but your body hasn’t made antibodies yet.

After a Positive Test Positive test results are almost 100% accurate. If you test HIV positive, find a health care provider who knows about HIV right away. Early treatment can help you stay healthy and can help slow the progress of the disease. Services for people with HIV include help with health care, income, food and legal services.

After a Negative Test Means no HIV antibodies were in your body at the time of the test This may mean you don’t have HIV A negative test might also mean you have HIV, but your body has not made HIV antibodies yet. Get tested again at least 3 months after any risky behavior.

Types of Testing Anonymous Testing: Means you are the only one who will know your test results. You use a code name or number to get your result. There is no way to trace your name, address or social security number with thei code. Confidential Testing: Means your name is known and your test result is put into your medical record. In general, your result cannot be shared without your ok. But you should ask who has access to your medical record before taking the test.

Protect Yourself! Use a new latex condom and a water- based lubricant every time for vaginal or anal sex. Don’t use oil-based lubricants. People who are allergic to latex still need to use some time of protection Don’t have sex when you are drunk or high. Using alcohol or other drugs affects judgement and can lead to unsafe sex.