Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) PDF

Sexually Transmitted Diseases Also called: Sexually transmitted infections, STDs, Venereal disease Prepared by: Prof. Maria Luisa Dimalen  What are Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)? Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), or sexually transmitte...

Sexually Transmitted Diseases Also called: Sexually transmitted infections, STDs, Venereal disease Prepared by: Prof. Maria Luisa Dimalen  What are Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)? Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), or sexually transmitted infections (STIs), are infections that are passed from one person to another through sexual contact. They are usually spread during vaginal, oral, or anal sex. Sometimes they can spread through other sexual contact involving the penis, vagina, mouth, or anus, because some STDs, like herpes and HPV, are spread by skin-to-skin contact. Some STDs can be passed from a pregnant person to the baby, either during pregnancy or when giving birth. Other ways that STDs may be spread include during breastfeeding, through blood transfusions, or by sharing needles.  Causes of STDs STDs can be caused by bacteria, viruses, and parasites.  Who are affected by STDs: Most STDs affect both men and women, but in many cases the health problems they cause can be more severe for women. If an STD is passed to a baby, it can cause serious health problems.  Symptoms of STDs: STDs don't always cause symptoms or may only cause mild symptoms. So, it is possible to have an infection and not know it. And even without symptoms, STDs can still be harmful and may be passed on during sex. Symptoms includes: - Unusual discharge from the genital area - Abdominal pain - Anal itching, soreness, bleeding - Blisters or sores around the mouth - Fever - Sores or warts on genital area - Painful or frequent urination (peeing) - Abnormal vaginal odor - Itching and redness in the genital area  How STDs are diagnosed: If someone is sexually active, they should talk to the health care provider about the risk for STDs and whether they need to be tested. This is especially important since many STDs do not usually cause symptoms. Some STDs may be diagnosed during a physical exam or through microscopic examination of a sore or fluid swabbed from the vagina, penis, or anus. Blood tests can diagnose other types of STDs.  Types of STDs - Chlamydia - HPV - Genital herpes - Pubic lice - Hepatitis B - Syphilis - HIV - Gonorrhea  1.) Chlamydia It results from an infection with Chlamydia trachomatis. A common infection that can spread through anal, vaginal, and oral sex and can also spread to a baby during childbirth. Chlamydia does not usually cause any symptoms, but it can result in infertility and other complications if a person does not seek treatment for it. It is easy to cure with early treatment. If symptoms do occur, they may include a change in vaginal discharge and burning pain during urination. Chlamydia can also affect the rectum because of anal sex. This can lead to rectal pain, rectal bleeding, and rectal discharge Symptoms may appear around 7–21 days after exposure.  2.) Genital Herpes (HSV) The herpes simplex virus (HSV) is a common virus that affects the skin, cervix, and genitals, as well as some other parts of the body. HSV-1 usually affects the mouth, can spread through saliva or if there is a herpes-related sore around another person’s mouth. It can pass to the genital area during oral sex. HSV-2 can affect the genital area, the anal area, and the mouth. It transmits through vaginal, oral, and anal sex. Herpes cannot spread via utensils, toilet seats, swimming pools, soaps, or bedding. However, if a person touches a body part where herpes is present and then touches another part of their body, the herpes can spread to that area. Once herpes is present, it stays in the body, remains dormant, and that many people will never develop symptoms. The main symptoms are blisters around the mouth, anus, or genital area. These blisters can break, causing a painful sore that takes a week or longer to heal. There is currently no cure, but medication can help relieve any symptoms. Daily antiviral medications can help prevent the spread of herpes. Wearing a condom will not completely prevent the transmission of herpes.  3.) Hepatitis B Hepatitis B can cause a long-term infection and result in liver damage. Once a person has the virus, it can remain in their semen, blood, and other bodily fluids. Transmission is possible through engaging in sexual contact, using nonsterile equipment for injections, and puncturing the skin with a sharp object where the virus is present This infection can pass to a baby during pregnancy or delivery. However, a doctor can advise on ways to prevent this. As long as the nipples are not cracked, the risk of transmitting the virus through breast milk is negligible. People at high risk of contracting hepatitis B should ask their doctor about a vaccine, which can offer some protection. The vaccine may not provide long-term immunity, however, and the person may need booster doses for continued protection.  4.) HIV HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system. It can spread through sexual contact and some other means. HIV makes a person more prone to certain other infections. People with HIV also have a higher risk of contracting other STIs. Without treatment, this susceptibility to infection worsens and may lead to life threatening complications. Once a person has HIV, the virus will be present in their bodily fluids, including semen, blood, breast milk, and vaginal and rectal fluids. This can happen through sexual contact, sharing needles, contact with broken skin, giving birth, and breastfeeding. Treatment can reduce the amount of the virus present in the body to an undetectable level. This means that the amount of the virus within the blood is so small that blood tests cannot detect it. It also means that it cannot spread to other people. A person with undetectable HIV must continue to follow their treatment plan exactly as the doctor prescribes to keep virus levels low.  5.) HPV Human papillomavirus (HPV) refers to a group of viruses that affect the skin and mucous membranes, such as the throat, cervix, anus, and mouth. There are various types, and some pose a higher risk than others. HPV is common. It affects around 79 million people in the United States. Nearly everyone who is sexually active will have HPV at some point in their lives, unless they have received a vaccination to prevent it. Many people experience no symptoms, but in these cases, it is still possible for the virus to spread. Some types of HPV can lead to genital warts. These tend to be low risk. Having HPV can also increase the risk of cervical cancer and throat cancer. HPV can spread through vaginal and anal sex, oral sex, genital-to-genital contact, and from a pregnant person to a baby. Vaccination can help prevent the transmission of HPV.  6.) Pubic Lice Crabs, or pubic lice, usually attach to pubic hair. Sometimes, they can affect the hair in the armpits, mustache, beard, eyelashes, or eyebrows. They are very small and difficult to see, but a person will likely notice itching in the areas they affect. The first stage in the life cycle will be the appearance of the eggs. This stage lasts for around 6–10 days. After hatching, the lice will look like tiny crabs. They need blood to survive and will live for around 2–3 weeks. In the last couple of days, the females will lay more eggs, and the cycle will continue. Pubic lice can spread during close physical contact, including sexual contact. They can also transmit via shared towels or bed linen. However, they cannot spread via toilet seats. To remove pubic lice in the genital area, a person can apply a 1% solution that are available over the counter from most drugstores and pharmacies. It is essential to follow the instructions precisely. If pubic lice are affecting the hair near the eyes, the person may need a prescription medication.  7.) Syphilis Syphilis stems from an infection with the bacterium Treponema pallidum. It is a potentially serious infection, and early treatment is necessary to prevent permanent damage and long-term complications. There are usually four stages. In the first stage, a person may notice a round, firm sore at the site of the infection, usually around the genitals, anus, rectum, or mouth. This tends to last for 3–6 weeks. The sore may not be visible, since it is often painless and may be hidden, for example, in the vagina. The bacterium can spread at any point during the infection. Syphilis can also pass to a baby during pregnancy. In the latent stage, the symptoms disappear, but the bacteria remain in the body and can continue to cause damage. In the tertiary stage, life threatening complications can affect the brain, nervous system, eyes, heart, and several other organs. Symptoms at this stage will depend on which part of the body the syphilis affects. The only way to confirm whether or not syphilis is present is by conducting a test. If the result is positive, the person should inform their sexual partner or partners, and they, too, should seek medical advice. Symptoms will appear around 21 days after the transmission of the bacteria, on average, but they can take between 10 and 90 days to appear  8.) Gonorrhea Gonorrhea is a common infection that develops due to the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. It is highly contagious and, without treatment, can lead to life threatening complications. Gonorrhea can spread during oral, vaginal, or anal sex. If a person touches an infected area of the body and then touches their eye, gonorrhea can also lead to pink eye. This infection can also spread to a baby during childbirth. N. gonorrhoeae thrive in warm, moist parts of the body, such as the vagina, penis, mouth, rectum, and eye. This infection can spread during sexual contact. An infection that occurs as a result of oral sex can lead to burning pain in the throat and swollen lymph nodes. In females, the infection can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease. Males, meanwhile, may experience inflammation of the epididymis, which is the tube that stores sperm. Both conditions can affect fertility. As soon as a person has gonorrhea, the bacteria can spread to other people and to other parts of the body through physical contact. Receiving treatment with antibiotics can usually resolve the infection. Symptoms can appear 1–14 days after infection. Males usually notice symptoms 2–5 days after exposure. Females often do not experience any symptoms at all, but if they do, the symptoms will usually appear up to 10 days after exposure.  Treatments and Prevention of STDs: Antibiotics can treat STDs caused by bacteria or parasites. There is no cure for STDs caused by viruses, but medicines can often help with the symptoms and lower the risk of spreading the infection. Correct usage of latex condoms greatly reduces, but does not completely eliminate, the risk of catching or spreading STDs. The most reliable way to avoid infection is to not have anal, vaginal, or oral sex. There are vaccines to prevent HPV and hepatitis B. “Prevention is always better than treatment when it comes to STDs.” – Dr. Gail Bolan STUDY VERY WELL AND GOD BLESS THAT IN ALL THINGS, GOD MAY BE GLORIFIED!