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Questions and Answers
What is the primary method for diagnosing genital warts?
Why are regular follow-up appointments recommended for females under age 30 with an HPV infection?
What is a Pap test used for?
Which treatment does NOT cure HPV but reduces symptoms?
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At what ages does the CDC recommend the HPV vaccine be administered?
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For diagnosing HPV-related cancers in the mouth and throat, doctors primarily rely on which method?
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What is one purpose of HPV/Pap co-testing?
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Why are HPV tests not routinely performed for males?
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What is the recommended dosage schedule for the HPV vaccine?
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If a person does not get the HPV vaccine at the recommended age, until what age can they still receive it?
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Study Notes
What Are STIs?
- Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are infections spread from one person to another during sexual activity or actions that involve contact with a person's reproductive organs.
- STIs can affect people of all sexes, ages, races, nationalities, and ethnic origins.
- STIs are caused by disease-causing microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and protozoa.
Risk of STIs
- Engaging in sexual activity with one partner who has an STI is all it takes to contract an STI.
- People with more sexual partners have a greater chance of getting an STI.
- Although it is possible for certain oral STIs to spread through kissing, most STIs spread only through sexual activity.
Effects of STIs
- STIs can cause serious damage to the body, including inflammation, damage to the reproductive organs, and infertility.
- If left untreated, STIs can also damage the brain, heart, liver, and other internal organs.
- Some STIs are incurable, and some can cause cancer or be fatal.
Chlamydia
- Nearly three million new cases of chlamydia are reported each year in the United States.
- Chlamydia is sometimes called a "silent disease" because it causes few symptoms.
- The majority of chlamydia infections occur in young people aged 15-24.
- Chlamydia poses a threat to the health of the female reproductive system, especially for young people whose bodies have not fully developed.
Signs and Symptoms of Chlamydia
- Symptoms of chlamydia are often mild or absent.
- Males may experience burning during urination, itching at the opening of the penis, and watery discharge from the penis.
- Females may experience abnormal vaginal discharge and a burning sensation during urination.
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
- PID is a condition that affects the fallopian tubes and pelvic cavity and can cause infertility.
- Chlamydia can cause PID if left untreated.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Chlamydia
- Urine test or laboratory test of a sample swabbed from the penis or cervix.
- Antibiotics can cure chlamydia if diagnosed early.
Gonorrhea
- Gonorrhea is a bacterial STI that primarily affects the rectum, throat, and reproductive system.
- An estimated 820,000 people contract gonorrhea each year.
- 70% of cases are in young adults aged 15-24.
Signs and Symptoms of Gonorrhea
- Males may experience burning during urination and yellow or white urethral discharge.
- Females may experience mild burning or itching, pelvic pain, abnormal bleeding, and abnormal vaginal discharge.
Complications of Gonorrhea
- Gonorrhea can cause Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) and infertility if left untreated.
- Can also cause anal itching and bleeding or a sore throat.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Gonorrhea
- Healthcare provider may swab and examine urethral discharge from the penis.
- Females: Urine test or laboratory analysis of a sample swabbed from an infected body part.
- Antibiotics can cure gonorrhea, but some bacteria are antibiotic-resistant.
Syphilis
- Syphilis is a bacterial STI that can be fatal if left untreated.
- Number of syphilis infections has been increasing each year since 2001.
- Syphilis infections among people aged 15-19 increased by about 10% between 2016 and 2017.
Stages of Syphilis
- Primary syphilis: A sore called a chancre develops at the site of infection.
- Secondary syphilis: A red or copper-colored rash appears.
- Latent syphilis: The person experiences no noticeable signs or symptoms.
- Late-stage syphilis: The infection damages the brain and can lead to dementia and paralysis.
Signs and Symptoms of Syphilis
- Primary syphilis: A sore may not itch or be painful.
- Secondary syphilis: A rash does not itch, may go unnoticed, and cannot transmit syphilis.
- Latent syphilis: No noticeable signs or symptoms.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Syphilis
- To diagnose syphilis, a doctor will examine a sample swabbed from a syphilis sore using a special microscope.
- Doctors can also use blood tests to detect antibodies the body makes in response to syphilis.
- Antibiotics can cure syphilis, but cannot reverse or repair the organ damage caused by late-stage syphilis.
Trichomoniasis
- Trichomoniasis is an STI caused by a single-celled parasite called a protozoan.
- Trichomoniasis is often asymptomatic and is the most curable common STI.
Signs and Symptoms of Trichomoniasis
- Most males with trichomoniasis have no symptoms.
- Females may experience yellow-green vaginal discharge with a foul odor and burning, itching, and pain during urination and sexual intercourse.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Trichomoniasis
- Trichomoniasis is difficult to diagnose without an examination and laboratory test.
- To diagnose infections, a sample of vaginal discharge or urine is examined under a microscope or cultured.
- People who have no symptoms can still pass trichomoniasis on to others.
Genital Herpes
- Genital herpes is a viral infection that can affect almost any part of the body.
- Genital herpes is caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV).
- HSV type 1 (HSV-1) causes cold sores on the mouth and lips, but it can also cause genital infections.
- HSV type 2 (HSV-2) causes genital infections exclusively and spreads through sexual activity.
Signs and Symptoms of Genital Herpes
- A person with herpes often has mild or no symptoms.
- Blisters develop at the site of infection, burst, and heal after a few weeks.
- Typically, these sores return repeatedly, but in a milder form.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Genital Herpes
- Sometimes, a physical examination and laboratory tests of samples swabbed from the open sores can diagnose herpes.
- If a person has no visible sores, a blood test can detect antibodies that indicate the presence of the HSV.
- No cure exists for herpes, but prescription medications can control the frequency and severity of outbreaks and lower the risk of transmission.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
- With 14 million new infections each year, human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common STI in the US.
- HPV infects cells in the skin and genital membranes, causing them to grow abnormally.
Diagnosis and Treatment of HPV
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For females, a laboratory test can detect an HPV infection and identify the type of HPV.
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If an HPV infection is present, a doctor will recommend regular follow-up appointments for females under age 30.
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Doctors screen for cervical cancer using a Pap test, also called a Pap smear.
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Receiving an HPV vaccine can reduce a person's risk of contracting HPV.### Preventing and Treating STIs
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Learning outcomes of this lesson include:
- Explaining the importance of abstinence in preventing STIs
- Developing skills for a sexual health assessment
- Analyzing the effectiveness of different prevention methods
- Identifying the three critical components of good health
- Identifying resources for obtaining information about STIs
- Summarizing treatment options for different STIs
Staying STI Free
- Practice health-enhancing strategies with a partner to reduce risks and enhance health
- Consider discussing and revising strategies after reading this lesson
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