Sexually Transmitted Diseases

1. Sexually Transmitted Diseases Health Education

2. Basic Definitions • STD • Sexually Transmitted Diseases • STD are sometimes referred to as an STI • STI • Sexually Transmitted Infection • An infection caused by any pathogen that spreads from one person to another during sexual contact. • STIs pathogens include: bacteria, viruses, and protozoans • The pathogens that cause STIs live in the reproductive organs of males & females. • The three most common STIs in the United States are: • Trichomoniasis, human papilloma virus, and chlamydia

3. Risky Behaviors & the STI Epidemic • Short Term Harmful Effects: • Pain, discomfort, and embarrassment • Long Term Harmful Effects: • Increased risks for certain types of cancer • Male or Female Infertility (unable to have children) • Many STIs can be treated with medicines, but are incurable. If left untreated, some are fatal. • Unlike other infectious diseases, people do NOT develop immunity to STIs after being infected. A person can be cured and then reinfected with the same STI again. • There are several risky behaviors that account for the current STI epidemic, including: • Ignoring the risks • Multiple Partners (more partners = more risk) • Not Seeking Treatment (some are too embarrassed, other just don’t know they have one or ignore the symptoms)

4. Chlamydia • Most common bacterial STD • An estimated 3 million people are infected with chlamydia each year. • Modes of Transmission: • Oral, Anal, Vaginal, Birth • A pregnant woman can transmit chlamydia to her baby during the birth. Can cause lung & eye damage to the child. • Treatment: Antibiotics (doxycycline or azithromycin) • Symptoms: • Males: painful urination and discharge from the penis. Left untreated, can lead to Urethritis (inflammation of the lining of the urethra) • Females: no symptoms other than a yellowish vaginal discharge. Left untreated can cause a serious infection of the reproductive organs called Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). • PID can lead to infertility or entopic pregnancy

6. Trichomoniasis • Over 7 million people are infected with Trichomoniasis. • Caused by a protozoan that infects the urinary tract or vagina • Male Symptoms: painful urination, clear discharge from the penis and some itching. Most males experiences no symptoms at all – but can still transmit the STI • Untreated can cause Urethritis • Female Symptoms: itching and burning in the vagina, an unpleasant-smelling yellowish discharge, and painful urination. • Untreated can cause Vaginitis (vaginal infection or irritation)

7. HPV (Human Papilloma Virus)(Genital Warts) • More than 6 million people are infected with HPV each year. • HPV is the most common viral STI in the U.S. • Symptoms: (in many cases people have NO symptoms and unaware they have HPV) • Some forms of HPV cause Genital Warts, which may itch or burn. • A Doctor may remove the warts, but they may reappear. • Sometimes the body’s immune system will destroy the virus, but in some people HPV remains in the body for life! • One of the most serious conditions associated with HPV infection is cervical cancer. Having regular Pap tests can help detect the type of cancer before it becomes life threatening. • Modes of Transmission: oral, anal, vaginal, birth

8. Gonorrhea • Also know as “clap” or “drip” • A bacterial infection of the female reproductive organs, and the urinary tracts of males or females • It is estimated that 700,000 Americans are infected with Gonorrhea each year. • Male Symptoms: thick, painful puslike discharge from the penis & painful urination. Left untreated, can cause urethritis & infertility • Female Symptoms: puslike discharge from the vagina or urinary tract & sometimes painful urination. Left untreated, can lead to PID & infertility • Many times the symptoms are mild and unnoticed. Therefore people participating in high-risks behaviors should get regular medical checkups • Treatment: Antibiotics • Modes of Transmission: • oral, anal, vaginal, birth • In the US, babies are given medicated eyedrops at birth to prevent infection of the eyes.

9. Syphilis (bacterial) • Syphilis is becoming less common in the U.S. However, thousands of people are still infected with syphilis each year. • Syphilis is a serious bacterial infection can impacts the body in stages: 1) Painless stores called a Chancre at the site of exposure. The bacteria may spread from the sore to different parts of the body 2) Sores appear in the mouth and flulike symptoms develop. A nonitchy skin rash often appears on the hands & feet. 3) Symptoms may disappear for years. However, during that time the bacteria attach internal parts of the body (brain & heart). Left untreated: can cause brain damage, paralysis or death. • Early stages can be treated with Antibiotics. • It can still be treated past the 2nd stage – but physical damage that has already occurred is permanent. • A pregnant woman with syphilis will pass the disease to her developing baby. Left untreated, syphilis can damage the baby’s skin, bones, eyes, teeth, and liver.

10. Genital Herpes • The virus that causes genital herpes is called Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) • Researchers estimate that 1 of 5 people age 12 & older is infected with HSV • Symptoms: • For some people they are barely noticeable. They may not know they are infected • Some may experience painful blisters that appear on or around the genitals • Modes of Transmission: oral, anal, vaginal, kissing (in saliva), birth • A person can pass HSV to a sexual partner whether blisters are present or not. • A woman with genital herpes can infect her infant during childbirth, causing blindness & possibly death. • Treatment: NO CURE. Medications may help shorten the outbreaks (Famvir, Valtrex)

11. Hepatitis • Hepatitis B & C, also called HBV and HCV, are sexually transmitted infections that attack the liver. • Individuals with HBV & HCV are often unaware of their infection. • Symptoms: • Fatigue, abdominal pain, nausea, and jaundice • Both infections can lead to live cancer or cirrhosis • Diagnosed with a blood test • Medications relieve symptoms, but there is NO CURE for HBV or HCV • Children are now routinely vaccinated against HBV, but there is no vaccine for HCV.

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