STI’s To Know
By Leslie, Shari and Smita
What do you know about STIs? Here are some STIs you should know about.
Other Infections That Can Be Spread Through Sexual Contact (These infections are spread by having sex, but can also be spread other ways, too.)
Herpes
Herpes is a highly contagious STI
that is recurring and incurable. That's correct,
there is no cure for genital herpes. Although,
there is no cure, it can be treated with anti-viral
medication to shorten and prevent outbreaks.
There
are two types of herpes virus. Type 1 usually
occurs around the mouth and appears as
fever blisters and cold sores. Type 2 usually
occurs in the genital area and appears as painful
lesions. However, infection with either of these
viruses can occur anywhere on the body. Mucosal
skin surfaces - such as around the mouth, genitals,
and eyes - are the most vulnerable. The CDC estimates
that one million new cases of genital herpes
occur each year in the United States and, to
the present, about 45 million Americans are infected
with herpes.
Herpes is usually transmitted through
direct contact with an active lesion and/or infected
secretions. During the first outbreak, which
is painful and extremely contagious, small bumps
appear. In a few days, these small bumps become
fluid-filled blisters, which will eventually
open up and heal. At this time, the herpes virus
will travel and remain dormant in nerve endings
at the spinal cord until the next occurrence.
Herpes
can be transmitted even without experiencing any
symptoms. Usually a person with herpes will
experience symptoms, such as tingling or itching
near the infected area. Although there is no
cure for herpes, it is treatable with an antiviral
drug, which will limit the duration of an outbreak.
Genital
ulcer diseases, such as herpes, can occur in genital
areas that are covered or protected
by condoms. They can also occur in areas that
are not covered or protected by a latex condom.
Not having sex at all is the the only 100 percent
effective, foolproof method of preventing pregnancy
and sexually tranmsitted infections. Latex condoms,
when used consistently and correctly, can reduce
the risk of herpes, only when the infected areas
are covered or protected by the condom.
Genital HPV
Genital
HPV infection is an STI, also commonly known as
genital warts, that is caused by human
papilloma virus (HPV). HPV includes a group
of more than 70 viruses. Certain types of HPV are
transmitted
sexually and some of these may cause warts
on the genitals, such as the vulva, labia,
penis, anus, and/or the tissues of the vagina
and cervix. Although it is the most common
STI in the United States and, perhaps, the
most common STI among sexually active youth,
most people with genital HPV experience no
symptoms. Therefore, most infected people don't
know they are infected and may unknowingly
infect a sexual partner.
Although most types of
HPV are harmless, some types may cause cervical
lesions that, over time,
may develop into cervical cancer in infected
women. Annual Pap smears
and careful medical follow-up, with treatment
if necessary, will help ensure that abnormal
cells in the cervix caused by HPV infection do
not develop into cervical cancer.
Genital HPV is
spread through skin-to-skin contact. Genital HPV
infections can occur in genital areas
that are covered or protected by a latex condom.
They can also occur in areas that are not covered
or protected by condoms. Not having sex at all
is the the only 100 percent effective, foolproof
method of preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted
infections. Latex condoms, when used consistently
and correctly, can reduce the risk of genital
HPV, only when the infected areas are covered
or protected by the condom. Studies show that
consistent use of latex condoms can reduce the
risk of HPV-associated cervical cancer.
Under no
circumstances should you attempt to remove genital
warts yourself. Though creams
for warts are available at your local drugstores,
they are not intended for genital warts. If you
happen to notice any unusual growths, please
see a physician. If the physician suspects that
you have genital warts, don't fret. There are
treatment options: freezing the warts, applying
topical ointments to burn the warts, and also
laser surgery to remove the warts. However, there
is no cure for genital HPV.
And there is now a vaccine for HPV! Read more here.
Syphilis
Syphilis is a curable STI is caused by the bacterium "Treponema
pallidum." Syphilis, which is transmitted
through direct contact with a lesion on an infected
partner, can and will progress through at least
four stages if left untreated. The symptoms determine
the stage of the syphilis infection. The stages
are primary, secondary, latent, and late syphilis.
The symptoms of primary syphilis occur between
10 days to three months after infection. The
first symptom is usually a painless ulcer, called
a chancre, which occurs at the infection site.
It is very easy not to notice the first lesion,
especially if it is in the vagina or on the cervix.
If left untreated, the lesion usually disappears
after a few weeks. This does not mean that the
syphilis has disappeared. In two to 12 weeks
after the chancre is gone, the symptoms of the
secondary stage can appear. These symptoms can
range from a red, non-itching rash over the entire
body (including the palms of the hands and soles
of the feet), fever, sore throat, joint aches,
headaches, fatigue, nausea, wart-like lesions
in the genital area, and weight loss. During
both primary and secondary phases, the infected
person is highly infectious to partners. The
symptoms of secondary syphilis are so common
that they can be mistaken for other medical conditions,
for example, flu or an allergic reaction. If
the symptoms are overlooked and left untreated,
syphilis will progress to the next stage, which
is called latent syphilis.
Anyone with latent syphilis
can live many years without experiencing any more
symptoms and the
only way to detect that he/she is infected with
syphilis is through a blood test. Left untreated,
syphilis progresses to the most destructive and
final stage, late syphilis. The late stage involves
serious damage to the internal organs, including
the heart, brain, bones, liver, skin, and kidneys,
to name a few. The effects of late stage syphilis
include the loss of bladder control, numbness,
blindness, and even death.
Syphilis can be cured
in all stages with penicillin. The dose of penicillin
given for treatment depends
on the stage of syphilis; however the damage
done to organs in late stage syphilis cannot
be reversed.
Infected newborns may have symptoms
including brain damage, bone deformity, hearing
loss, dental
malformations, and rash.
Genital ulcer diseases,
such as syphilis, can occur in genital areas that
are covered or protected
by a latex condom. They can also occur in areas
that are not covered or protected. Not having
sex at all is the only 100 percent effective,
foolproof method of preventing pregnancy and
sexually transmitted infections. Latex condoms,
when used consistently and correctly, can reduce
the risk of syphilis only when the infected area
is covered or protected by a condom.
Gonorrhea and
Chlamydia
Gonorrhea and Chlamydia
are transmitted from person to person through
vaginal, oral, and/or
anal sex. Rates of gonorrhea and chlamydia are
highest among young women ages 15-24. Women and
men with gonorrhea and/ or chlamydia experience
few or no symptoms. Some common symptoms in women
include a yellowish vaginal discharge, painful
or frequent urination, redness, swelling, or
soreness in the genital area, pain during sex,
lower abdominal pain and/or vaginal bleeding.
Some common symptoms in men include discharge
from the penis and pain and burning during urination.
Some people infected with gonorrhea or chlamydia
may have no symptoms. Therefore, it is important
to have an annual examination if you are sexually
active. Untreated, gonorrhea and chlamydia can
cause serious complications, such as pelvic inflammatory
disease and infertility. Not having sex at all
is the only 100 percent effective, foolproof
method of preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted
infections. Latex condoms, when used consistently
and correctly, can reduce the risk of transmission
of gonorrhea and chlamydia.
Pelvic Inflammatory
Disease (PID)
Pelvic Inflammatory
Disease (PID) , is usually caused when gonorrhea
and/or chlamydia are
left untreated. PID is an infection that spreads
upward into the uterus, fallopian tubes, and
ovaries. Unfortunately, PID can occur without
causing any noticeable symptoms. When symptoms
do appear, they may be mild or severe. A woman
may experience pain in the pelvic area, vaginal
discharge, painful urination, or abnormal bleeding.
More severe cases may be accompanied by fever,
chills, nausea, and vomiting. Antibiotics are
given to treat PID. In more severe cases, hospitalization
may be necessary. However, if PID is left untreated,
it can cause scarring and blockage of the fallopian
tubes, making it difficult for a woman to conceive.
Damage to the fallopian
tubes can also increase the risk of an ectopic
pregnancy, implants in the
fallopian tube. Ectopic pregnancy is a serious,
life-threatening condition.
Public Lice
Pubic lice, also known
as crabs, is caused by a parasitic insect, Phthirus
pubis, which feeds
on blood and is visible with the naked eye.
Pubic lice are usually spread through sexual
contact. However, sharing clothes, towels,
washcloths, or other materials with an infected
person can also spread pubic lice.
Pubic lice are
usually found in the genital area, but they can
also be found on eyebrows,
eyelashes, beards, mustaches, and armpits. Crabs
dig into flesh causing redness and itching. If
you have pubic lice, you could visit a doctor
to receive treatment or buy over-the-counter
treatments. Clothes, washcloths, and all other
material that have come in contact with the infected
person should be washed in water no cooler than
140 degrees Fahrenheit to kill the crabs and
their eggs.
Trichomoniasis
Trichomoniasis is an infection caused
by a protozoan organism. Trichomoniasis infections
occur exclusively
in the genital area. This infection can also
be passed on to a child when an infected mother
gives birth, causing either genital or lung
infection in the newborn.
Women and men may not
know they are infected for a long period of time
because they may not
develop any symptoms. However, some of the symptoms
that may occur include (for women), include pain
during sex, itching of the vagina and vulva,
vaginal discharge, inflammation of the vagina
and a fishy odor. Men may experience painful
inflammation of the penis and pain in the urethra.
This
infection can be cleared up by use of prescription
medicine, but to lower the risk of infection,
use condoms consistently and correctly.
Hepatitis
B
Hepatitis B (HBV) is a disease that causes inflammation
to the liver. Although 90-95% of adults recover
within six months and will not contract HBV
again, blood tests will always show that they
have been infected with HBV and blood banks
will not accept their blood.
Many people with acute
hepatitis B have no symptoms at all, or they
may be very mild and flu-like
symptoms. About 25-35% of patients may notice
dark urine, yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice),
or light colored stools.
HBV is transmitted through
contact with body fluids containing HBV, such as
blood, semen,
vaginal fluids. It is mostly passed on from person
to person through sexual contact. It can also
be passed through exposure to sharp instruments
contaminated with infected blood, such as tattooing
and body piercing. People at risk include sexually
active homosexual and bisexual men and anyone
having sexual contact with and HBV carrier.
HBV
tests will not show positive during the incubation
period (1-12 weeks). There are three
standard HBV tests: HbsAg (when the test is positive
or reactive you are positive and infectious),
Anti-HBc (when you test positive it means you
are currently infected or have been infected
some time in the past), and Anti-HBs (when the
test is positive it means that you are immune
to HBV either as a result of having had the disease
or from having been vaccinated). People who have
not cleared HBV from their blood within 6 months
are considered to be chronically infected.
Other
Infections That Can Be Spread Through Sexual Contact
(These infections are by having
sex, but can also be spread other ways, too.)
Bacterial
Vaginosis (BV)
Bacterial
Vaginosis (BV), is a condition where there is a
change in the balance of bacteria
naturally found in the vagina. BV is not always
transmitted through sexual contact; however women
who are sexually active are at much higher risk
for contracting it. Common symptoms of BV are
a strong odor, itching, burning and vaginal discharge;
however, many women do not have any symptoms.
Women who have BV and are pregnant are more susceptible
to complications during pregnancy and childbirth,
such as having a miscarriage, or a baby born
at a low birth weight.
A woman can be tested for
BV by having a pelvic exam, and having vaginal
fluid examined in a
laboratory. It can be treated by antimicrobial
creams.
Latex condoms, when used consistently and
correctly, can reduce the risk of transmission
of BV; however
BV can be present in areas that are not protected
by a condom.
Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a virus that is spread
through bodily fluids, such as saliva, blood,
tears, breast milk, semen, and urine. Once someone
is infected, the virus remains in the body for
life, but most of the time it remains dormant.
It is most commonly spread from a mother to a
fetus.
CMV can also be spread through close personal
contact or vaginal, anal and oral sex. Latex
condoms, when used consistently and correctly,
can reduce the risk of transmission of CMV however,
other intimate touching and kissing can also
spread the virus.
Detecting the virus is difficult,
because symptoms are not always present. Many
times there are
no symptoms, however when there are, CMV can
cause swollen glands, fatigue, nausea, and loss
of vision. However, if you have symptoms but
test negative for mononucleosis (mono) or hepatitis
A, B or C, you should be tested. It is not curable,
but can be treated using intravenous drugs.
Scabies
Scabies
are small parasites that burrow under the skin.
They are transmitted through close
physical contact, including sexual contact. Common
symptoms of scabies are intense itching, small
bumps, a rash, or lesions. If a person has never
been infected before, than the symptoms usually
show up four to six weeks after the initial infection.
However, if a person has been already exposed
to scabies, his/her symptoms will show one to
four days after re-infection.
Health care professionals
can test for scabies by viewing a skin scraping
under a microscope.
Scabies can be treated with a topical cream.
Latex condoms, when used consistently and correctly,
can reduce the risk of transmission of scabies;
however, scabies can be present in areas that
are not protected by a condom.
Molluscum Contagiosum (MC)
Molluscum Contagiosum(MC),
is a virus that causes small lesions or bumps.
It is a part of the
pox virus family, and is spread through close
physical contact, including sexual contact.
It can also be spread through towels or clothing
that have been in contact with a lesion. Symptoms
can appear anywhere from two to twelve weeks
after infection.
A health care professional can
examine a sample under a microscope to diagnose
MC. Most of the
symptoms will eventually go away. Lesions can
be surgically removed or treated with a chemical
agent. To prevent infection, refrain from sexual
contact with anyone who has MC. Latex condoms,
when used consistently and correctly, can reduce
the risk of transmission of MC; however, MC can
be present in areas that are not protected by
a condom.
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