STBBIs

• Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) include more than 25 infectious organisms transmitted sexually.

STI Prevention

• Change in behaviors
• Identification of risk factors
• Techniques for effective counseling

Safer Sex Practices

• Abstinence from activities with fluid exchange
• Avoid anal-oral, anal-genital intercourse, and anal-digital activities
• Avoid practices that increase tissue damage
• Avoid direct contact with lesions
• Knowledge of partner's STI status is important for safer sex practices.
• Appropriate follow-up after sex is important for safer sex practices.
• Condom use is important for safer sex practices.
• Male adherence to condom use is important.
• Negotiation of condom use.
• Female condom use.

Common STIs

• Chlamydia
• Gonorrhea
• Syphilis
• Human papillomavirus (HPV)
• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

Sexually Transmitted Bacterial Infections

• Chlamydia is the most common and fastest-spreading STI.
• Chlamydia infections are often silent and highly destructive.
• Chlamydia is more difficult to diagnose in females, who have twice the rate as males.
• Chlamydia screening and diagnosis involves screening of asymptomatic and pregnant women and comparisons of diagnostic procedures.
• Chlamydia management includes drug therapy
• Gonorrhea, also known as "the clap" or "the drip," has a rising incidence in Canada.
• Gonorrhea symptoms: Women are often asymptomatic, while others may experience menstrual irregularities or rectal complications.
• Gonorrhea is caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
• Gonorrhea is transmitted through genital-to-genital, oral-to-genital, and anal-to-genital contact.
• Gonorrhea treatment includes antibiotic therapy.
• Syphilis is caused by Treponema pallidum, a motile spirochete.
• Syphilis transmission occurs via entry into subcutaneous tissue through microscopic abrasions during sexual intercourse.
• Syphilis can be transmitted through vaginal, oral, or anal sexual contact
• Transplacental transmission of syphilis can occur at any time during pregnancy.
• Syphilis can lead to serious systemic disease and even death
• Primary stage of syphilis: Manifests 3 to 90 days after infection, with a painless sore near the entry point
• Secondary stage of syphilis: Manifests 2 to 6 months after infection; main symptom is sores that spread and become rash-like
• Latent stage of syphilis: No visible symptoms
• Tertiary stage of syphilis: Manifests 10-30 years after infection, not common; can cause internal organ damage and death
• Neurosyphilis, ocular syphilis, and otosyphilis can happen during any stage
• These infections can cause damage to the brain, eyes, and ears

Syphilis Details

• Syphilis screening and diagnosis includes screening pregnant women and serological tests.
• False positives can occur in syphilis testing.
• Syphilis management includes penicillin treatment and sexual abstinence during treatment.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

• HIV is a retrovirus found in blood, semen, rectal fluid, vaginal secretions, and breast milk.
• Perinatal transmission (vertical transmission) occurs when an HIV-infected pregnant person passes the infection to their infant.
• Horizontal transmission of HIV occurs through intimate sexual contact or parenteral exposure to blood or body fluids containing visible blood.
• HIV diagnosis involves ELISA (HIV enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay & Western blot immunoassay).
• HIV management includes slowing the growth of the virus, preventing and treating opportunistic infections, providing nutritional support, and symptomatic treatment.
• Antiretroviral medications are used in the treatment of HIV.