Understanding STIs - The Hidden Epidemic

1. SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS... JUST WHAT ARE THEY???

2. WHAT ARE STI’S? • Infectious diseases that are spread from person to person through intimate sexual contact • Dangers of STI’s 1. 2. However… Most STI’s can be cured! There are more than 50 different types of STI’s that range from life-threatening to merely irritating.

3. STI’s – The Hidden Epidemic • Many StI’s go ________________ • Many STI’s can be ______________ – without symptoms • Results… • People who do not seek treatment b/c they do not know they are infected • People who are infected but don’t know will continue to transmit STI’s • People who contract an STI from someone who is infected (without knowing) will pass the STI on to others.

4. Consequences of STI’s • STI’s can be serious and can cause major damage to the body - some are ______________________ - some cause ____________________ - some can cause _________________ complications - some can be passed from _________ to ________, before, during, or after_______

5. Categories of STI’s • STI’s are classified as 1 of 3 types: 1. 2. 3.

6. Bacterial STI’s • Bacterial - Single cell organism capable of reproducing on their own - can be cured by using _____________ prescribed by a doctor - Can be _______, but many times the __________ caused by the STI cannot be __________.

7. Bacterial STI’s • Chlamydia – most ____________ STI - If left untreated, it will cause serious painful infections of the ____________ tract and discharge in men. - MOST females show ____ symptoms – if they do, painful urination, vaginal discharge, bleeding - If left untreated, can result in PID or ________ in both sexes - enters the body by the mouth, rectum, vagina penis

8. Bacterial STD’s • _________ – infection of the urinary tract of males and females, and the reproductive organs of females - painful urination and discharge. - Symptoms in females can be very____ and may not be noticed. If left untreated, __________in both sexes. - An infected female can transmit gonorrhea to her baby during birth which can cause __________ - enters by direct mucous membrane contact during sex through mouth, penis, vagina, anus and throat

9. Bacterial STI’s • Syphilis – multi staged STI - stage one is characterized by a small painless sore called a _____________ sore - stage 2 – secondary syphilis – begins 2-8 weeks after the first stage. _____-like symptoms, sores in the mouth, non itch rash on hands and feet - stage 3 – _______stage - symptoms disappear for years, but the bacteria attacks the brain and the circulatory system. Damage that occurs in this stage is permanent and can cause death - enters the body through mucous membrane contact w/ sores during sex by penis, vagina, anus, mouth or break in skin

10. SYPHILIS – CON’T • Long term Problems: - paralysis - convulsions - blindness - heart disease -mental retardation - unborn child can be born with damage to nervous system or can die during birth

11. Viral STI’s • Virus – small organisms that are unable to reproduce on their own – need a _______ • There are _____ cures for viral STI’s • They can lie dormant without any symptoms for periods of times • Symptoms can be relieved using antiviral medication

12. Viral STI’s • _________ – most serious and deadly STI • Aids is the final stage of infection by a virus known as the HIV virus - Human Immunodeficiency Virus • Virus is passes from one person to another through contact with an infected person’s _________ fluids – usually semen or vaginal secretions, or blood

13. Con’t AID’s • Symptoms – within 3-4 weeks of exposure to HIV an infected person experiences flu-like symptoms • They disappear and it may be years in which the person feels fine and show no outward signs • Meanwhile, Helper T cells are being destroyed, allowing for opportunistic diseases to occur due to a weak immune system. Aids victims usually die from • 1. Pneumocystis Carinii - rare from of pneumonia • 2. Kaposi’s Sarcoma - cancerous tumors that spread throughout the body

14. Viral STI’s • Genital Warts – most ____________ viral STI • Caused by the human papilloma virus -once a person is infected, the virus remains in the body forever. Infections occurs by physical contact, sexual or other wise. - One to eight months after infections, _______ appear in clusters, usually in the genital area. - Can cause ___________ cancer in women. - Warts can be removed by a physical, but the virus remains - transmitted through sex

15. Viral STI’s • Genital Herpes clusters of painful________ that appear on or around the genitals • First outbreak in usually the ___________ • New eruptions appear to be related to ________ • Most contagious whenever blisters are present – should refrain from sexual intercourse during outbreak of blisters or while they are healing • transmitted by direct, intimate contact through penis, vagina, anus, mouth, and can be transferred to the eyes if sore is touched

16. Viral STI’s • Hepatitis B – an STI that attacks the _________ • Spread through contact of infected, blood, semen or saliva and transmitted by penis, vagina, anus, mouth, skin breaks, blood • Virus can survive on objects for_____________ time • Symptoms – fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, jaundice • Can cause serious liver damage • No cure, but there is an effective vaccine

17. Parasitic STI’s • Parasite – an organism that lives on or in a host organism and gets its food from its host. • Parasites can be killed with ____________ - Pubic lice – female lice attack eggs to the pubic hair and skin - causes intense itching. Symptoms – itching, rash, pinhead sized blood spots on underwear. Treatment consists of a special medicated shampoo - can be acquired from dirty bed lines, clothing, sex

18. Parasitic STI’s • Scabies – mites burrow into the ______ and lay eggs. • They cause red, swollen itchy bumps. • Enter into the skin by either sex or skin contact • Symptoms – itching in the genital area • Treatment included hot baths and medicated creams

19. Parasitic STI’s Trichomoniasis: a parasite that causes ________, which is the term for inflammation of the vagina • Female Symptoms: thick vaginal discharge – gray or greenish in color, ______ _______ • Male – none, or mild burning when urinating, or temporary irritation inside his penis • Can live for a few hours on _______ towels, washcloths, bathing suits • Treatment: ___________ from a doctor - curable

20. Where to get help • Prevention of STI’s is everyone’s responsibility • Physical Responsibility – STI’s can cause major, life long damage to the body - embarrassment should not stop you from seeking help

21. Where to get help • Social Responsibility – you have a social responsibility to tell all people that you have had sexual contact with! • Abstain from all sexual activity until treated • Do not donate blood, organs or semen

22. Where to get help • Places to Turn: • Private Physician • Health Clinic • ONLY A HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL CAN PRESCRIBE THE CORRECT TREATMEN FOR STI’s!!!