THE INS AND OUTS OF SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS & DISEASES
AIDS \ HPV \ Gonorrhea \ Herpes \ Chlamydia \ Syphilis
AIDS
AIDS is short for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. It is the most advanced stage of HIV disease. HIV disease is caused by HIV — the human immunodeficiency virus.
Transmission: HIV is transmitted in blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk. Sexual activities where fluids are exchanged with someone infected with HIV through vaginal, oral, or anal contact; blood products; infected mothers to their child; and shared needles
Symptoms: Initially none or flu-like symptoms;
Later opportunistic infection and ultimate death
Treatment: NO CURE;
Life-long, expensive treatment with antiviral therapy increases life span
Prevention: Abstinence; Latex Condoms; Avoid sex with:
Multiple partners, people known to be HIV infected, people with multiple partners, IV drug users, people who have not been tested for HIV
HPV
Cause: Human papilloma virus (HPV)
Transmission: Sexual contact with HPV carrier (any part of the body) even if they have no visible lesions
Symptoms: Raised "warty" lesions on genitals; Cancer of cervix and penis
Treatment: NO CURE; There is a new vaccine for the prevention of HPV that should be administered in the pre-teen years or pre-sexual activity of any kind;
Trichloroacetic acid and liquid nitrogen for removal of lesions
Prevention: Abstinence is the ONLY way to prevent HPV infection
Condoms do not prevent all skin to skin contact, as they only cover the shaft of the penis
Commonly Called: Genital Warts
Gonorrhea
Cause: Neisseria gonorrhea (bacterium)
Transmission: Sexual contact with infected individual
Symptoms: Increased urinary frequency/urgency;
Pain upon urination
Treatment: Antibiotics- Although antibiotic-resistant strains are on the rise
Prevention: Abstinence/monogamy; Condoms when used consistently
Commonly Called: The Clap
Herpes
Cause: Herpes simplex virus (HSV) 1 and 2
Transmission: Direct contact with open lesion;
Sexual contact with an HSV carrier even if they have no visible lesions
Symptoms: Skin rash or lesion at point of contact; Recurrent;
Shingles later in life
Treatment: NO CURE; Certain prescription drugs can be taken to prevent outbreaks.
Prevention: Abstinence; Latex condoms may help but are not completely protective against infection
Chlamydia
Cause: Chlamydia trachomatis (bacterium)
Transmission: Sexual contact with infected individual
Symptoms: Many infections are asymptomatic;
Some women experience:
* abdominal pain
* abnormal vaginal discharge
* bleeding between menstrual periods
* cervical or rectal inflammation
* low-grade fever
* mucopurulent cervicitis (MPC) — a yellowish discharge from the cervix that may have a foul odor
* vaginal bleeding after intercourse
* painful intercourse
* painful urination
* the urge to urinate more than usual
Some men experience:
* pain or burning feeling while urinating
* pus or watery or milky discharge from the penis
* swollen or tender testicles
* rectal inflammation
Treatment: Antibiotics; Untreated infections are life-long;
No immunity against repeat infection
Prevention: Abstinence or monogamy; Condoms when used consistently
Syphilis
Cause: Treponema pallidum (bacterium)
Transmission: Sexual contact with infected individual
Symptoms: Primary chancre (lesion) at point of contact;
Skin rash in secondary stage
Treatment: Antibiotics; Untreated infections do not self-cure;
No immunity against repeat infection
Prevention: Abstinence/monogamy, Condoms
Commonly Called: The Pox
These are the more common and talked about STIs. For more information go to http://www.plannedparenthood.org/sexual-health/stis-stds-101.htm
*all images are from http://www.giantmicrobes.com... Check them out and get your own fuzzy (and, bonus, non-contagious!) STI/STD!
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