Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
An
STI is a sexually transmitted infection, which is either a bacterial or
viral infection that can be contracted through oral or anal sex, as well
as sexual intercourse. Bacterial infections are treatable and
curable. Viral infections are treatable, but not curable.
STIs have become common for people who are sexually active, in fact,
two-thirds of STIs occur in those under the age of 25. Research
findings state that only one third of infected people talk about their
sexual health issues with their partners, however many people don't even
know they are infected.
Postponing sex is the only 100% way of preventing the spread of STIs.
Testing for all STIs should be administered to both partners prior to
engaging in sexual activity. Barrier methods should then be used
for vaginal, anal or oral sex whether the person is diagnosed with an
infection or not to ensure safety from an undetectable infection,
although protection is not guaranteed. Using barrier methods
properly will increase the chances of effectiveness.
Got general
questions about STIs? Get some answers
here!
Please select from the following list to
learn more:
Bacterial
Vaginosis (bacterial)
Bacterial vaginosis (BV), which is not a "classic" STI, is caused by an
imbalance in the bacteria normally found in the vagina, and only affects
women. BV is associated with pelvic inflammatory disease.
Prevalence: Studies show that bacterial vaginosis is common in women
of reproductive age and as many as 16 percent of pregnant women in the
United States are infected with BV.
Symptoms: Women with BV often have an abnormal vaginal discharge with
an unpleasant odor. Some women report a strong fish-like odor,
especially after intercourse or when washing the vulva with soap. The
discharge is usually white or gray and can be thin. Women with BV may
also have burning during urination or itching around the outside of the
vagina, or both. Some women with BV report no signs or symptoms at
all.
Treatment: BV is treatable with antimicrobial medicines (orally and
vaginally) prescribed by a health care provider. Two different
medicines are recommended as treatment for BV: metronidazole or clindamycin.
Metronidazole cannot be taken with alcohol or it will cause extreme
sickness, so read the directions of your medication carefully.
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Chlamydia (bacterial)
The most commonly reported infectious disease in the United States,
chlamydia also classifies as one of the most dangerous sexually
transmitted infections among women today. The disease is
particularly common among teens and young adults. Genital
chlamydia is the leading cause of preventable infertility and ectopic
pregnancy, which occurs when the fertilized egg implants in tissue
outside of the uterus and the placenta and fetus begin to develop there.
Because many chlamydia infections are asymptomatic and probably chronic,
widespread screening with appropriate treatment is necessary to control
this infection.
Prevalence: An estimated three million people contract chlamydia each
year.
Symptoms: Chlamydia can be considered a "silent" epidemic of
sorts because three quarters of women and half of men with the disease
have no symptoms. Possible symptoms include discharge from the
penis or vagina and a burning sensation when urinating. Additional
symptoms for women include lower abdominal pain or pain during
intercourse and bleeding between menstrual periods. More advanced
symptoms, which indicate development of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID),
include cramps, pain, bleeding between menstrual periods, vomiting or
fever. Men may experience burning and itching around the opening
of the penis and/or pain and swelling in the testicles.
Treatment: The most commonly used treatments are a single dose
of azithromycin or a week of doxycycline. Common side effects of
these treatments include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.
If someone has chlamydia, all of their sexual partners should get tested and
then treated if infected, whether or not they have symptoms of
infection.
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Crabs or Pubic
Lice (bacterial)
Crabs (also known as pubic lice) are small parasites that feed on human
blood. Crabs are not the same as head and body lice. they are
usually found on the pubic hair, but can also be found on other parts of the
body where a person has coarse hair (such as armpits, eyelashes, and facial
hair). Crabs rarely infest head hair. Anyone can get crabs.
Having crabs does not mean a person is unclean or dirty. A person can get
crabs during sexual contact with an infected person. During the close
physical contact, the crabs can move from the pubic hair of one person to the
pubic hair of another. Crabs can be sexually transmitted even if there is
no penetration or exchange of body fluids. Once off a human host, crabs
can live for 24 hours, making it possible to get crabs during contact with
infested bedding or clothing.
Symptoms: The most noticeable symptom of crabs is itching. The
itching usually starts about 5 days after a person contacts the infection.
Treatments: There are several treatments for crabs. Some
treatments require a prescription, while others do not. A person does not
have to shave off his or her pubic hair to get rid of crabs.
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Gonorrhea (bacterial)
Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted bacterial disease. The bacteria
that causes this disease can affect the genital tract, mouth and rectum.
Gonorrhea remains a major cause of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID),
infertility and tubal pregnancies in women. This disease can facilitate
HIV transmission.
Prevalence: An estimated 650,000 cases of gonorrhea occur each year in
the United States.
Symptoms: The early symptoms of gonorrhea are often mild.
Symptoms usually appear within two to ten days after sexual contact with an
infected partner. A small number of people may be infected for several
months without showing symptoms.
When women have symptoms, they first ones include:
- bleeding associated with vaginal intercourse;
- a painful or burning sensation when urinating; and/or
- vaginal discharge that is yellow or bloody
More advanced symptoms, which indicate development of pelvic
inflammatory disease (PID), include cramps, pain, bleeding between
menstrual periods, vomiting or fever.
Men have symptoms more often than women. Symptoms include:
- pus from the penis and pain, or
- a burning sensation during urination that may be severe
Symptoms of rectal infection include discharge, anal itching, and
occasional painful bowel movements with fresh blood on the feces.
Treatment: Health care providers usually prescribe a single
dose of one of several antibiotics. However if the infection is
complicated, more than one antibiotic and hospitalization may be
necessary. If someone has gonorrhea, all of their sexual partners
should get tested, regardless of the absence of symptoms.
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Hepatitis B
(viral)
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a viral disease that attacks the liver and
can cause extreme illness and even death. In some people, the
infection resolves itself and the virus is cleared, while others may
remain chronically infected after the symptoms of the infection have
subsided. People who are chronically infected with HBV face an
increased risk of developing liver disease, including scarring and liver
cancer.
Prevalence: About five percent of the U.S. population (one out
of every 20 people) has ever been infected with Hepatitis B, with an
estimated 200,000 infections occurring each year. About 417,000
people are currently living with chronic sexually acquired HBV
infection.
Symptoms: Although 50 percent of Hepatitis B cases carry no
symptoms, the other half of those infected often experience fever,
fatigue, muscle or joint pain, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting.
When infected with HBV, many people think they have the flu an do not
attribute their symptoms to HBV infection. A very small number,
about one percent, develop a life-threatening acute form of hepatitis
from the virus. These people may suddenly collapse with fatigue,
have yellowing of the skin and eyes and develop swelling in their
abdomen.
Treatment: Hepatitis B is a preventable disease! There
is a safe and effective vaccine against hepatitis B, and you can protect
yourself and your loved ones by getting vaccinated. The current
vaccine is made from yeast and is one of the safest vaccines available.
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Herpes
More than 80 known viruses exist within the herpes family. Of
these, eight are known to cause disease in humans, the most common being
herpes simplex virus 1 and 2. HSV-1 and HSV-2 look identical under
the microscope, and either type can infect the mouth or genitals.
Usually, however, HSV-1 occurs above the waist and HSV-2 below the
waist. Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1_ commonly causes cold sores
or fever blisters, which are highly infectious open sores that crust
over before healing. Although less probable, HSV-1 can also cause
genital herpes. Herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2), on the other hand,
is a contagious viral infection primarily causing genital herpes in men
and women. Once contracted, herpes is a lifelong disease.
Prevalence: More than one in five Americans - 45 million people -
are infected with genital herpes. Symptoms: Recurrent painful
ulcers are a common symptom of herpes. Most people with herpes
have no symptoms and are unaware of their infection. The telltale
signs and symptoms of genital herpes include recurrent clusters of
blisters, bumps and rashes in the genital areas. Blister "flares"
are unpredictable and have been attributed to everything from stress to
certain types of food to sun exposure to sunlight. Treatment:
Unfortunately, there is no cure for genital herpes - once someone has
it, they have it for life. Researches are working on many fronts
that may lead to improved diagnosis and better ways to manage the
disease. Meanwhile, some prescription drugs and various
therapeutic methods have been proven effective in reducing the
frequency, severity and duration of outbreaks.
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HIV/AIDS (viral) AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
- Acquired means you can get infected with it;
- Immune Deficiency means a weakness in the body's system that
fights diseases;
- Syndrome means a group of health problems in the body's system
that make up a disease
AIDS is caused by a virus called HIV: Human Immunodeficiency Virus. Being
HIV positive is not the same as having full-blown AIDS. Many people are
HIV-positive, but may not develop AIDS for many years. As HIV disease
progresses to full-blown AIDS, the immune system gets weaker, allowing viruses,
parasites, fungi and bacteria, that usually don't cause serious health risk in
the average person, to cause opportunistic infections and make the HIV-positive
person very sick.
Prevalence: In the U.S., in the last 20 years, more than 700,000 cases of
AIDS have been reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
However, about 40,000 women and men get HIV each year in the United States.
Almost 900,000 - or 1 in 300 - people in the U.S. are living with infection.
Symptoms: Some people develop symptoms shortly after being infected.
On average, it takes more than 7-10 years to develop symptoms. There are
several stages of HIV. The first symptom of HIV is often swollen lymph
glands in the throat, armpit, or groin. Some other early symptoms include
slight fever, headaches, fatigue and muscle aches. They may only last for
a few weeks. Then, there are usually no symptoms for many years.
Treatment: There is currently no cure for HIV/AIDS, although there are a
variety of new treatments and medication cocktails that help people manage the
disease and maintain their normal life activities.
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top
Human Papillomavirus (viral)
Human papillomavirus, or HPV as it is often called, is one of the
most common STIs in the world. Health experts estimate that
there are more cases of genital HPV than any other STI in the United
States. HPV sometimes causes genital wars, but, in many cases,
it infects people without causing noticeable symptoms. HPV is
likely the most common STI among young, sexually active people.
There are more than 30 distinct types of HPV that can infect the
genital area. Concern about HPV has increased in recent years
because some types of HPV infection may cause cervical cancer.
Prevalence: An estimated 5.5 million people become
infected with HPV each year in the U.S., and an estimated 20 million
Americans are living with the disease at any one time.
Symptoms: Genital warts (condylomata acuminata or venereal
warts) are the most easily recognized sign of genital HPV infection.
Many people, however, have a genital HPV infection without genital
warts. Genital warts are very contagious and are spread during
oral, genital, or anal sex with an infected partner. In women,
most HPV infections are asymptomatic and only picked up by a Pap
test of the cervix.
Treatment: Genital warts often disappear even without
treatment. In other cases, they eventually may develop a
fleshy, small raised growth that looks like cauliflower. There
is no way to predict whether the warts will grow or disappear.
Therefore, if someone suspects they have genital warts, they should
be examined and treated, if necessary. Depending on factors
such as the size and location of the genital warts, a doctor will
offer you one of several ways to treat them, including
trichloroacetic acid (TCA) and various topical creams. HPV
infections of the cervix, if associated with a high-grade squamous
epithelial lesion (HGSEL) of the cervix, are treated by cutting
away, freezing or otherwise destroying the abnormal cells.
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Scabies (bacterial)
Scabies is a curable skin disease caused by a parasite.
It's transmitted through close physical contact with a person who is
infected or has had prolonged contact with infested linens,
furniture, or clothing. A person is considered infectious from
the time of infestation until treatment is successfully completed.
Symptoms: The most common symptom is itching, which usually
occurs within 4 to 6 weeks after infection. Symptoms will
begin within 1 to 4 days in a person who has been infected with
scabies before.
Treatment: Scabies is treated with a lotion that kills
lice and similar microorganisms. In addition to treating the
body, it's important to treat any bedding, towels, and clothing that
the infected person use in the two days before treatment. All
items need to be washed in hot water (at least 140 degrees
Fahrenheit for 20 minutes - the hot water cycle) and dried in a hot
dryer.
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Syphilis (bacterial) Syphilis is
a sexually transmitted infection that progresses in stages. The
disease is curable and its progression is preventable, but if
untreated, it can cause heart disease, neurological problems and
blindness. Syphilis causes genital ulcers, which increases the
likelihood of sexual HIV transmission.
Prevalence: In the U.S., the reported rate of syphilis is
at the lowest level since reporting began in 1941. According
to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 6,657 cases
of syphilis were reported in 1999, a decline of 22 percent from the
previous year's reports.
Symptoms: A myriad of symptoms can occur during various
stages of this disease. Early symptoms can range from a single
chancre sore to a rash on the body that does not itch. Other
symptoms are fever, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, weight loss,
hair loss, muscle aches and fatigue.
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Trichomoniasis (bacterial)
Trichomoniasis, an infection that affects both men and women, is
caused by a microscopic parasite. Prevalence: An estimated
five million cases of trichomoniasis occur each year in the United
States. Symptoms: Most men with trichomoniasis do not
experience any symptoms, but those who do experience an irritation
inside the penis, mild discharge, or slight burning after urination
or ejaculation. In women, trichomoniasis causes a frothy,
yellow-green vaginal discharge with a strong odor. The
infection may also cause discomfort during intercourse and
urination. Irritation and itching of the female genital area
and, in rare cases, lower abdominal pain can also occur.
Treatment: Trichomoniasis usually can be cured with an
antibiotic given by mouth in a single dose. Partners should be
treated at the same time to eliminate the parasite and to prevent
recurrence. Persons being treated for trichomoniasis should
avoid sex until they and their sex partners complete treatment and
have no symptoms.
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Urinary Tract Infection (bacterial) While this is not
considered a "classic" STI that is transmitted from one person to
another during sex, a urinary tract infection (UTI) or bladder
infection is a common byproduct of sexual activity that, if not
treated, can lead to hospitalization and kidney damage.
UTIs are more common in women than in men, mostly because of
anatomy. In women the urethra is located directly above the
vaginal opening, and is susceptible to being exposed to bacteria and
becoming irritated during intercourse. If the infection isn't
treated while the bacteria are in the urethra and bladder, bacteria
can travel to the kidneys and cause an infection there.
Symptoms: Symptoms of UTIs mimic symptoms of some STIs -
painful, burning urination, urgency to urinate, or yellowish or
bloody discharge from the urethra. If the infection has spread
further up and into the kidneys, symptoms include fatigue, high
fever, and lower back pain.
Treatment: If someone is experiencing any symptoms,
a simple in-office urine test can tell their health care provider
exactly what type of antibiotic to prescribe. Drinking plenty
of water and avoiding alcohol, which can irritate the bladder, are
recommended while being treated. If the infection reaches the
kidneys, they may have to be hospitalized to receive IV antibiotics
for several days.
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All information is adapted from smartersex.org, sponsored by the
Bacchus Network
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