Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STI’s) Chlaymadia/syphillys

What are STI’s/STD’s? Sexually Transmitted Diseases are infections that can be transferred from one person to another through sexual contact. There are more than 25 diseases that can be transmitted through sexual activity.

Top 10 risk factors Unprotected sex Multiple partners Under 25 years old/ Early age of sexual onset Alcohol Use Illicit Drug Use

Top 10 risk factors Trading sex for money/drugs Living in a community with high prevalence of STDs Serial Monogamy (dating a large number of people each year) Having an STD Using birth control as sole form on contraception

Who is at risk? Adolescents and young adults are at the highest risk for developing an STD ages anywhere from 15-24. Anyone not using protecting and has had more than 1 partner puts you at a higher risk.

Important It is important to understand that sexual contact does not just involve intercourse It can involve kissing, oral-genital contact, the use of sexual "toys," such as vibrators, vaginal intercourse, anal intercourse, No sex is “safe sex”

Protecting There is no way to guarantee that you will not contract an STD but there are many ways you can reduce your risk Using condoms properly can be useful to protect against some diseases such as HPV and gonorrhea condoms are less effective protecting against herpes, trichomoniasis, and chlamydia. Condoms provide little protection against HPV, the cause of genital warts.

Preventing Learn about safer sex Talk to you partner about their STI status and protection Get tested for STI’s if you are sexually active Be sure to follow up if you have been diagnosed to be sure the disease has been treated

Types of STD/STI’s 3 types of STIs Bacterial- Vaginitis, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphillis, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Viral – Herpes, Genetial warts, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV/AIDS Parasitic - Trichomonas

Chlamydia The most common sexually transmitted infection in North America It is caused by the bacterium, Chlamydia trachomatis Women report the disease more often than men 92 million new cases of Chlamydia each year

Signs/Symptoms Known as the “silent” disease 75% of women and 50% of men won’t show signs If symptoms start they will show within 1-3 weeks after exposure

Signs/Symptoms - Men In men Chlamydia usually starts in the urethra, symptoms may come and go and may only be noticeable during the first urination of the day Painful/burning on urination Redness/swelling/burning/itching around opening Discharge from penis

Signs/Symptoms in Women A yellowish vaginal discharge that might have a foul odor Painful burning during urination Bleeding between periods and after intercourse Pain during intercourse Pain in the lower abdomen

Results Chlamydia can cause pelvic inflammatory disease in women in left untreated. Increases risk of ectopic pregnancy and infertility if the fallopian tubes are scared. Can also cause Cervicitis in women In men can cause epididymitis, urethritis and reactive arthritis

Treatment Treatment is simple and effective once diagnosed Short antibiotic treatment Important to return for a check-up once the treatment is complete to make sure of no reoccurring infection

Prevention Using condom Having your partner be tested before intercourse for the first time Get tested yourself

Syphilis Sexually transmitted disease caused by bacterium Treponema Pallidium Sexually transmitted – venereal syphilis Pass from infected mother to her unborn child – congenital syphilis 12 million new infections each year

Symptoms Same in men and women Can be mild and hard to set apart from other STDs Can take up to 3 months to appear after exposed Slowly progressing disease Several stages Primary and Secondary stages are very infectious

Primary stage Painless ulcers (1 or more) appear at the site where the bacteria syphilis entered the body. Ulcers are also known as Chancres Ulcers will usually appear 21 days after sexual contact Ulcers may be difficult to notice but they are highly infectious Usual locations: on the vulva (outside vagina), on the penis in men, around the anus and mouth in both men and women

Primary Stage Without treatment these ulcers take between 2 and 6 weeks to heal If the infection does not get treated at all it will move onto the Secondary stage of Syphilis

Secondary stage Will usually occur 3-6 weeks after the ulcers have appeared Symptoms are: a flu-like illness, tiredness, loss of appetite, swollen glands Non-itchy rash covering the whole body in patches Flat, warty growths on the vulva in women and around the anus in men and women White patched on the tongue or roof of mouth Patchy hair loss

Secondary stage During this stage syphilis is highly infectious and can be sexually transmitted to a partner Symptoms usually clear up even if not treated and may reoccur for following years Treatment during any of these stages will cure the infection

Tertiary (Latent) stage If a person has not received treatment this far the infection will move onto the latent stage. The person will not experience symptoms as in previous stages Infection can still be tested in the blood If left untreated the infection can lead to late syphilis (tertiary) Usually develops after 10 or more years and can effect the heart and nervous system Treatment can still be given in the latent stage

Treatment Usually a two week period of intramuscular penicillin injections or oral antibiotics Fewer doses needed the person has had syphilis for less than a year Attend clinical regularly for blood tests until syhilis is gone Blood tests will always be positive for syphilis for the rest of your life because the body retains antibodies against the bacteria