Sexually Transmitted Infections Basic Information ALL infections can

Sexually Transmitted Infections

Basic Information § ALL infections can be transmitted through sexual activity, but other behaviours can spread the infection as well

Non-sexual transmission Sexual transmission

Causes § § Bacteria Virus (NOT curable) FYI: Transmitted through Blood-blood, bloodsemen, blood-saliva, saliva-feces, salivasemen, semen-semen, skin-blood, skinfeces, skin-saliva, and skin-skin contact.

Chlamydia: most common § FYI: § Signs/Symptoms: painful urination, whitish pus discharge from penis. § Methods of infection: Coitus, can be transmitted to newborn. § Not treated: damage to prostate gland, sterility, heart complications, infection of uterine wall and fallopian tubes. § Treat with: Antibiotics

Human Papillomary Virus (HPV) § FYI: § Signs/Symptoms: Genital warts, Pinkish white lesions. § Methods of infection: Coitus and other forms of sex. § Not treated: Cervical cancer, painful bowel movements. § Treat with: Vaccinations, anti-viral medication.

Gonorrhea (the clap) § FYI: § Signs/Symptoms: milky-white discharge from penis, painful urination, in women: painful urination, slimy yellow-green discharge from vagina. § Methods of infection: all forms of sex. § Not treated: Nausea, vomiting, fever, infection of genital tract. § Treatment: Anti-biotics

Herpes § FYI: § Signs/Symptoms: fever, muscular aches, blisters/cold sores around lips and oral cavity, same appears on genital area. § Methods of infection: direct contact with an infected person. NO CURE § Not treated: recurrent infections

Syphilis § FYI: § Signs/Symptoms: appearance of small, red postules on skin or mucous membrane. Will progress to 2 nd stage if not treated. § Methods of infection: sexual activity § Not treated: 2 nd stage – fever, headache, hair loss, joint pain. 3 rd stage – rubbery tumours everywhere, damage to brain and heart, madness and eventual death. § Treatment: anti-biotics

FYI: Pubic Lice (crabs) § Signs/Symptoms: intense itching in the genital area. § Methods of infection: sexual contact, contact with contaminated bed sheets and clothes. § Not treated: persistent itching § Treatment: special soap.

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) § FYI: § Signs/Symptoms: No symptoms during incubation period (6 months – 10 years). § Methods of Infection: direct sexual contact involving exchange of bodily fluids (blood, semen, vaginal secretions, breast milk). § Not treated: NO CURE. Can be treated with a combination of medication. However, once HIV becomes AIDS, death is only a matter of time.

§ What do the following individuals all have in Common?

§ They all have the HIV virus or have since died due to complications with AIDS. Two of them are Gay, two are straight, and one is Bisexual. § BOTTOM LINE: HIV/AIDS does not discriminate!