Sexually Transmitted Infections Overview

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Questions and Answers

What is a key reason why individuals infected with STIs may not seek treatment?

They have visible symptoms.

They prefer home remedies.

They are often unaware of their infection. (correct)

STIs only affect certain age groups.

What type of STI is primarily spread through direct skin-to-skin contact?

Protozoan STIs

Bacterial STIs

Viral STIs (correct)

Fungal STIs

Which of the following STIs is known to cause a significant percentage of infections without symptoms, particularly in females?

Gonorrhea

Genital herpes

Syphilis

Chlamydia (correct)

What is the recommended treatment approach for gonorrhea in the US?

Combination of two antibiotics Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a method to prevent the transmission of STIs?

Engaging in unprotected sexual encounters Signup and view all the answers

Which organism is responsible for causing gonorrhea?

Neisseria gonorrhoeae Signup and view all the answers

Why is resistance to treatment a growing concern with gonorrhea?

Some strains are impervious to antibiotics. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following terms is preferred when referring to STIs and why?

Sexually transmitted infections; it includes asymptomatic cases Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the possible consequences of untreated gonorrhea in males?

Infertility Signup and view all the answers

Which population is identified as being at the highest risk for chlamydia?

Teenage females Signup and view all the answers

What is a common symptom of chlamydia in both males and females when symptoms occur?

Painful urination Signup and view all the answers

Which consequence is associated with Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)?

Infertility Signup and view all the answers

What can gonorrhoeae infection transmitted to a newborn potentially cause?

Blindness Signup and view all the answers

What is a typical symptom of trichomoniasis in females?

White to green vaginal discharge Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended prevention method for chlamydia transmission during birth?

Antibiotic eye drops for newborns Signup and view all the answers

Which treatment is effective for trichomoniasis?

Anti-protozoan drug therapy Signup and view all the answers

How can Chlamydia trachomatis be characterized in terms of symptoms?

Often asymptomatic, especially in females Signup and view all the answers

What is a noted complication of trichomoniasis during pregnancy?

Risk of premature labor Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary viral agent responsible for genital herpes?

Herpes simplex 2 (HSV-2) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a symptom associated with genital herpes during the initial infection?

Painful vesicles in genital area Signup and view all the answers

What is the status of HSV within the host after the initial infection?

Becomes latent in the nerve cells Signup and view all the answers

When can genital herpes be transmitted if no visible vesicles are present?

When the virus is replicating in skin cells Signup and view all the answers

When is a fetus at risk of HSV infection during pregnancy?

If the mother has latent HSV that reactivates close to birth Signup and view all the answers

What essential role do Helper T (CD4) cells play in the immune system?

They regulate immune system functions Signup and view all the answers

Which strains of HPV are primarily responsible for cervical cancers in females?

HPV-16 and HPV-18 Signup and view all the answers

Which is a method used for HPV prevention?

Gardasil®-9 vaccination Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the infection status of an individual with AIDS?

They can be HIV positive without having AIDS Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following can potentially transmit HIV from mother to infant?

Breastfeeding after birth Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason that a true cure for HIV is deemed unlikely?

HIV integrates its genetic material into the DNA of infected cells Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following characteristics of HIV contributes to its ability to evade the immune system?

High mutation rate Signup and view all the answers

What condition is caused by severe damage to the immune system due to HIV?

AIDS Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

STIs are caused by microbes requiring internal bodily environments for survival.
Transmission requires intimate contact, including vaginal, oral, anal sex, and sometimes just skin-to-skin contact.
Most STI-causing microbes don't induce immunity, a key reason why only few STIs have a vaccine.
Even after being cured of a treatable STI, re-infection is possible.
Many STI sufferers experience no symptoms, potentially spreading the infection unknowingly.
Pregnant women with STIs can transmit them to their fetus/newborn.

STI Prevention

Abstinence completely prevents STIs.
Monogamous relationships with uninfected partners are also preventative.
Condoms prevent STIs spread via bodily fluids.
Regular sexual health checkups and STI testing, even without symptoms, are vital.
All sexual partners of a confirmed positive case should be notified.

STIs of Community Importance

Bacterial STIs:
- Gonorrhea: Caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Symptoms in males (painful urination, pus discharge) are more common (90%) than in females (mucus, pus ,discharge, or painful urination – 50%). Can infect eyes, throat, or anus. Treatment: Combination antibiotics (resistance is a growing problem). Untreated consequences: Scarring, infertility, disseminated infection in males and females. Newborns can be infected during birth, leading to blindness.
- Chlamydia: Caused by Chlamydia trachomatis. Often asymptomatic (80% females, 50% males). Symptoms include painful urination, watery discharge. Females under 30 and teenagers are at high risk. Treatment: Antibiotics. Untreated consequences: Infection/inflammation of reproductive tract, infertility in both sexes. Newborn infections are possible (blindness, pneumonia).
- Syphilis: (not elaborated in this text.)
- Trichomoniasis: Caused by Trichomonas vaginalis. Characterized by white/green vaginal discharge, vaginal irritation (often asymptomatic in men). Pregnant women are at high risk of premature labor & low birth weight babies, as well as complications increasing risk of infertility. Drug resistant strains exist.
Viral STIs:
- Genital Herpes: Caused by Herpes simplex virus (HSV), often asymptomatic, transmitted by direct contact with blisters. No cure; antiviral drugs manage the virus and reduce transmission and symptoms. Initial infection during pregnancy can greatly increase risk to fetus. Reactivated HSV during birth can also infect newborns, potentially causing blindness, meningitis, encephalitis or death.
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV): More than 40 types; many asymptomatic, some cause genital warts or cancer (HPV-16 & HPV-18 main cause of cervical cancer). HPV vaccination (Gardasil-9) prevents infection from multiple HPV types, including HPV-6 & HPV-11 (genital warts) and multiple HPV types associated with cervical, vulvar/ vaginal, and anal cancers.
  - Gardasil-9 (HPV9) significantly lowers HPV prevalence in vaccinated populations, demonstrating vaccine efficacy, and herd-immunity benefits.
- HIV/AIDS: HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) infects and damages immune cells (CD4 T cells and macrophages). Causes AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) when the immune system cannot fight pathogens. Primarily transmitted through sexual contact, blood, mother-to-child contact, and breast milk.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

PID results from untreated chlamydia or gonorrhea infections in the female upper reproductive tract.
Other bacteria join, creating a more widespread infection.
Inflammation leads to scarring of fallopian tubes and other pelvic organs.
Antibiotics treat PID, but scars remain.
Untreated PID significantly increases risk of infertility, chronic pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancy.

Trichomoniasis Specifics

Trichomoniasis is caused by a protozoan, Trichomonas vaginalis, which cannot survive long outside a host.
This STI can lead to increased risk of premature labor & low birth weight babies.
Low birth weight often requires expensive, intensive hospital care.
Complications include female infertility and a potential link to prostate cancer in males.

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Description

Explore the world of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in this quiz. Understand their causes, transmission methods, and prevention strategies. Learn about the implications of STIs for individuals and communities, including risks for pregnant women and the importance of regular health checkups.