HIV/AIDS and STDs

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV): attacks the immune system, making the body vulnerable to infections and diseases
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS): the final stage of HIV infection, characterized by a severely weakened immune system
Transmission: sexual contact, sharing needles, mother-to-child transmission during pregnancy or breastfeeding
Symptoms: flu-like symptoms, fever, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, night sweats
Treatment: Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) to manage symptoms and slow disease progression
Prevention: safe sex practices, condoms, HIV testing, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)

Caused by: bacterium Treponema pallidum
Transmission: sexual contact, mother-to-child transmission during pregnancy
Stages:
1. Primary: single sore or ulcer at infection site
2. Secondary: rash, fever, swollen lymph nodes
3. Latent: asymptomatic, but still infectious
4. Tertiary: severe symptoms, neurological damage, blindness
Symptoms: painless sore or ulcer, rash, fever, swollen lymph nodes
Treatment: antibiotics (penicillin)
Prevention: safe sex practices, condoms, regular testing

Caused by: bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Transmission: sexual contact, mother-to-child transmission during childbirth
Symptoms:
- Men: painful urination, white, yellow, or green discharge from penis
- Women: painful urination, abnormal vaginal discharge, pelvic pain
Complications: pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), infertility, ectopic pregnancy
Treatment: antibiotics (ceftriaxone, azithromycin)
Prevention: safe sex practices, condoms, regular testing

Caused by: bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis
Transmission: sexual contact, mother-to-child transmission during childbirth
Symptoms:
- Men: painful urination, abnormal discharge from penis
- Women: abnormal vaginal discharge, painful urination, pelvic pain
Complications: PID, infertility, ectopic pregnancy
Treatment: antibiotics (azithromycin, doxycycline)
Prevention: safe sex practices, condoms, regular testing

Caused by: herpes simplex virus (HSV) types 1 and 2
Transmission: sexual contact, skin-to-skin contact
Symptoms:
- Genital herpes: painful blisters, sores, or ulcers on genitals, anus, or mouth
- Oral herpes: cold sores or fever blisters on lips, mouth, or face
Complications: increased risk of HIV transmission, neonatal herpes
Treatment: antiviral medications (acyclovir, valacyclovir, famciclovir)
Prevention: safe sex practices, condoms, avoiding skin-to-skin contact during outbreaks

HIV attacks the immune system, making the body vulnerable to infections and diseases
AIDS is the final stage of HIV infection, characterized by a severely weakened immune system
HIV can be transmitted through sexual contact, sharing needles, and mother-to-child transmission during pregnancy or breastfeeding
Initial symptoms of HIV infection include flu-like symptoms, fever, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes
ART is used to manage symptoms and slow disease progression, but there is no cure for HIV
Prevention methods include safe sex practices, condoms, HIV testing, and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)

Caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum, syphilis is transmitted through sexual contact and mother-to-child transmission during pregnancy
The disease progresses through four stages: primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary
Primary symptoms include a single sore or ulcer at the infection site, while secondary symptoms include a rash, fever, and swollen lymph nodes
Latent syphilis is asymptomatic, but still infectious, and tertiary syphilis causes severe symptoms, including neurological damage and blindness
Antibiotics, such as penicillin, are used to treat syphilis
Prevention methods include safe sex practices, condoms, and regular testing

Caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae, gonorrhea is transmitted through sexual contact and mother-to-child transmission during childbirth
Symptoms of gonorrhea in men include painful urination and white, yellow, or green discharge from the penis
Symptoms in women include painful urination, abnormal vaginal discharge, and pelvic pain
Complications of gonorrhea include pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), infertility, and ectopic pregnancy
Antibiotics, such as ceftriaxone and azithromycin, are used to treat gonorrhea
Prevention methods include safe sex practices, condoms, and regular testing

Caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis, chlamydia is transmitted through sexual contact and mother-to-child transmission during childbirth
Symptoms in men include painful urination and abnormal discharge from the penis
Symptoms in women include abnormal vaginal discharge, painful urination, and pelvic pain
Complications of chlamydia include PID, infertility, and ectopic pregnancy
Antibiotics, such as azithromycin and doxycycline, are used to treat chlamydia
Prevention methods include safe sex practices, condoms, and regular testing

Caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV) types 1 and 2, herpes is transmitted through sexual contact and skin-to-skin contact
Symptoms of genital herpes include painful blisters, sores, or ulcers on the genitals, anus, or mouth
Symptoms of oral herpes include cold sores or fever blisters on the lips, mouth, or face
Complications of herpes include increased risk of HIV transmission and neonatal herpes
Antiviral medications, such as acyclovir, valacyclovir, and famciclovir, are used to treat herpes
Prevention methods include safe sex practices, condoms, and avoiding skin-to-skin contact during outbreaks