Sexually Transmitted Diseases Caused by Bacteria

Gonorrhea (GC)

Gonorrhea (GC) STD caused by a bacterium Organism: Neisseria gonorrhoeae Location: Secretions in the vagina, cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes in women and the urethra (urine canal) in women and men

Symptoms of Gonorrhea Many females have no symptoms Some females have a vaginal discharge and/or pelvic/abdominal pain Males usually have pain with urinating and may have a discharge from the penis Can spread to many body parts causing infections (eyes, joints, throat, rectum . . .)

How is Gonorrhea Spread? Skin to skin contact with the infected secretions during sexual activity (vaginal, oral, or anal sex) Mother to child during childbirth

Is Gonorrhea Serious? Can cause Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID – a severe infection of the uterus, tubes, and ovaries) in females PID can lead to: infertility (can’t get pregnant) tubal pregnancies chronic pelvic pain Easier to get HIV if you are infected with Gonorrhea

Is Gonorrhea Common? 650,000 NEW cases each year in the U.S. Total number of currently infected unknown

How is GC Diagnosed? Lab Tests (culture) of the secretions from the infected area (cervix, urethra, rectum, throat) Urine specimen

Treatment of Gonorrhea Antibiotics by mouth or injection Despite treatment, Gonorrhea may lead to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), an infection of the uterus, tubes, and ovaries

Can Gonorrhea be Prevented? Condoms have not been proven to greatly reduce the spread in females Abstinence is 100% effective

Gonorrhea: Summary Can be spread through skin to skin contact during sexual activity Thousands in the U.S. are infected Treatment is available Despite treatment, may lead to PID

References Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Division of Sexually Transmitted Diseases. Gonorrhea Fact Sheet. Available at http://www.cdc.gov/nchstp/dstd/Fact_Sheets/FactsGonorrhea.htm Accessed October 31, 2002. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Division of Sexually Transmitted Diseases. STD Clinical Slides. Available at http://www2.cdc.gov/STDclinic/ Accessed Nov. 2, 2002. Health Awareness Connection. Young People's Guide to Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) and AIDS/HIV Disease. Available at http://www.healthac.org Accessed October 31, 2002.

Chlamydia

Chlamydia STD caused by a bactera Organism: Chlamydia trachomatis Location: Secretions in the vagina, cervix, urethra inside the penis, urine

Symptoms of Chlamydia Many females have no symptoms Some females have a vaginal discharge and/or pelvic/abdominal pain Males usually have pain with urinating and may have a discharge from the penis

How is Chlamydia Spread? Skin to skin contact with the infected secretions during sexual activity (mucous membranes of cervix and penis)

Is Chlamydia Serious? Can cause Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) in females (severe infection of the uterus, tubes, and ovaries) PID can lead to: infertility (can’t get pregnant) tubal pregnancies chronic pelvic pain

Is Chlamydia Common? 3,000,000 NEW cases each year in the U.S. Most frequently reported bacterial STD in the U.S. Total number of infected people in U.S. unknown

How is Chlamydia Diagnosed? Culture of cervix in females Culture of urethra in males Urine test

Treatment of Chlamydia Antibiotics by mouth Sexual partners must also be treated Despite treatment, females may still get PID

Can Chlamydia be Prevented? Condoms have not been proven to greatly reduce transmission Abstinence is 100% effective

Chlamydia: Summary Can be spread through skin to skin contact with infected secretions during sexual activity Most females who are infected are not aware and can spread it to others Millions in the U.S. are infected Can cause PID Treatment is available

References Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Division of Sexually Transmitted Diseases. Chlamydia, Disease Information Fact Sheet.. Available at http://www.cdc.gov/nchstp/dstd/Fact_Sheets/FactsChlamydiaInfo.htm Accessed October 31, 2002. Society of Health Advisers in Sexually Transmitted Diseases. Chlamydia. Available at http://www.shastd.org.uk/sti/chlamydia.htm Accessed November 6, 2002. Life Saving Cures. Various Pictures of STD's. Available at http://www.sexually-transmitted-diseases-stds-symptoms-pictures-testing.com/std_pictures.htm Accessed November 7, 2002.

Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)

Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) An infection caused by a bacteria Organism: Anaerobic bacteria – imbalance of bacteria normally found in a woman’s vagina (increase in the “harmful” bacteria) Location: vagina

Symptoms of Bacterial Vaginosis White or grayish vaginal discharge with an unpleasant odor (often strong fish-like odor especially after intercourse) Vaginal Pain Itching Burning Some have no symptoms

How is Bacterial Vaginosis Spread? Vaginal intercourse – women who have a new sex partner or who have had multiple sex partners are more likely to develop BV Women who have never had sexual intercourse are rarely affected with this imbalance of bacteria in the vagina

Is BV Serious? Can cause pelvic inflammatory disease Pregnant women with BV more often have babies who are born early or with low birth weight

Is BV Common? Most common vaginal infection in women of childbearing age 16% of pregnant women have BV

How is BV Diagnosed? Pelvic exam Tests on the vaginal fluid to look for the increase in harmful bacteria

Treatment of BV Antibiotics By mouth (pills) In vaginal creams

Can Bacterial Vaginosis be Prevented? Bacterial Vaginosis is linked to having new or multiple sexual partners There is no scientific evidence to show that condoms prevent BV If you don’t have sex, you don’t have to worry about getting BV

Bacterial Vaginosis: Summary Can be spread through vaginal sex Foul smelling white or grayish vaginal discharge Very common infection Treatment is available

References Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Division of Sexually Transmitted Diseases. Bacterial Vaginosis Fact Sheet . Available at http://www.cdc.gov/nchstp/dstd/Fact_Sheets/FactsBV.htm Accessed October 31, 2002. Society of Health Advisers in Sexually Transmitted Diseases. Bacterial Vaginosis. Available at http://www.shastd.org.uk/sti/bvag.htm Accessed November 6, 2002.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) Disease as a result of bacterial infections Organisms: Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Bacterial Vaginosis Location: Infection of the uterus, tubes, ovaries

Symptoms of PID Women may have only mild pain or no symptoms even though serious damage to their internal reproductive organs may be occurring Many patients have lower abdominal pain, fever, vaginal discharge, pain with vaginal intercourse

How is PID Spread? Vaginal intercourse with an infected partner The more sex partners a woman has, the greater the risk of PID

Is PID Serious? PID can cause permanent damage (scar tissue) to the fallopian tubes If the tubes are totally blocked by scar tissue, the egg and sperm cannot meet causing infertility Estimated 100,000 women become infertile (can’t get pregnant) each year as a result of PID

Is PID Serious? If the tubes are partially blocked or slightly damaged, the fertilized egg can get stuck in the tube (tubal or ectopic pregnancy) An ectopic pregnancy can rupture the tube and cause severe pain, internal bleeding, and even death Scarring of the fallopian tubes and ovaries can also cause pelvic pain that lasts for months or even years

Is PID Common? 1,000,000 NEW cases each year in the U.S. More than 100,000 women are diagnosed with infertility each year More than 150 women die from this infection every year

How is PID Diagnosed? PID is difficult to diagnose because symptoms are often mild and many cases go undetected No precise tests, cultures of the cervix to test for chlamydia and gonorrhea should be performed in women with lower abdominal pain who are sexually active Ultrasound and surgery may be necessary to diagnose PID

Treatment of PID Antibiotics by mouth (pills) or intravenous (I.V.) in the hospital can kill the bacteria causing the PID Antibiotics CANNOT reverse any damage that has already occurred to the fallopian tubes About 25% of women with PID must be admitted to the hospital

Can PID be Prevented? If you don’t have sex, you won’t get chlamydia and gonorrhea. If you don’t get chlamydia and gonorrhea, you won’t get PID.

PID: Summary Caused by STDs Acquired only through sexual activity Many may not have symptoms Causes infertility Millions in the U.S. have PID

References Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Division of Sexually Transmitted Diseases. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) fact sheet. Available at http://www.cdc.gov/nchstp/dstd/Fact_Sheets/FactsPID.htm Accessed October 31, 2002.

Syphilis

Syphilis STD caused by a bactera Organism: Treponema pallidum Location: Chancre (painless sore) on the genital area Rash on the hands/feet and other areas of the body

Symptoms of Syphilis Primary Stage: Painless sore on the genital area, mouth, lips Secondary Stage: Rash on hands, feet, and other areas of body Late Stage: Paralysis, numbness, blindness, dementia, death

How is Syphilis Spread? Skin to skin contact with syphilis sores during sexual activity (outercourse, oral, anal, vaginal sex) Sores can also occur on the lips and mouth Because syphilis sores can be hidden in the vagina, rectum, or mouth, it may not be obvious that a sex partner has syphilis

Is Syphilis Serious? If not treated, infection can spread to the brain, heart, spinal cord, eyes, and other areas of the body causing severe damage Genital sores of syphilis make it easier to get HIV infection Can be spread to the baby during pregnancy causing severe brain and growth abnormalities

Is Syphilis Common? 70,000 NEW cases each year in the U.S. Total number of currently infected people unknown

How is Syphilis Diagnosed? Blood tests Dark field microscopy to examine material from infectious sores

Treatment of Syphilis Antibiotics by injection Persons who receive syphilis treatment must abstain from sexual with new partners until the syphilis sores are completely healed Late effects such as those on the heart, brain, and nerves are not reversed with treatment

Can Syphilis be Prevented? Condoms have not been proven to greatly reduce the transmission Abstinence is 100% effective

Syphilis: Summary Can be spread through skin to skin contact during sexual activity There are 3 stages of syphilis Thousands in the U.S. are infected Treatment is available

References Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Division of Sexually Transmitted Diseases. Some facts about Syphilis. Available at http://www.cdc.gov/nchstp/dstd/Fact_Sheets/Syphilis_Facts.htm Accessed October 31, 2002. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Division of Sexually Transmitted Diseases. STD Clinical Slides. Available at http://www2.cdc.gov/STDclinic/ Accessed Nov. 2, 2002. Health Awareness Connection. Young People's Guide to Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) and AIDS/HIV Disease. Available at http://www.healthac.org Accessed October 31, 2002.