Sexually Transmitted Infections What is an epidemic STIs

Sexually Transmitted Infections §What is an “epidemic? ” §STI’s are called the “The Silent Epidemic” – Why? ? ? §Are STI’s dangerous? ? Why? ? §Asymptomatic means what? ? §Why do many STI’s go untreated until late stage symptoms appear? §According to some studies, 1 in 5 Teens/College kids have an STI. Many base this on “high-risk behavior” §What are considered “high-risk behaviors” practiced by young people? ? §Being sexually active §Not using condoms §Having more than one partner §Having sex w/ someone who had other partners §Using alcohol or drugs

STI’s Females have higher risk of infection than males Why? 1. large areas of mucous membranes that can be exposed to pathogens during intercourse 2. during SI, females receive more potentially infected fluids than males Preventing STI’s Practice Abstinence Avoid alcohol and drugs Respect yourself Learn about STI’s and know your body – doctor visits Be carefully in selecting your partners Avoid sex while under treatment for an STI

How STI’s Are Transmitted CAUSES: Bacteria, viruses, parasites They can be found in different body fluids which include: – – Semen Vaginal fluid Blood Breast milk – TRANSMISSION Any type of sexual activity that has an uninfected person in contact with an infected person Activity that results in contact with one persons genitals & another person’s skin/mucous membrane & one is already infected with an STI Direct contact w/ open sores Mother to her baby before or during birth or breast-feeding

General Statistics – STI’s In 2006 – nearly 337, 000 cases of gonorrhea were reported Adolescent girls 15 to 19 yrs had the most chlamydia & gonorrhea cases of any age group – 410, 000 13, 500 syphilis cases were reported in 2008, an almost 18 % increase from 2007 63% of syphilis cases were among men who have sex w/ men Syphilis rates in women increased 36% from 2007 to 2008 Government estimates 56, 000 new cases of HIV each year 1. 6 million new cases of genital herpes each year (based on an older study) CDC estimates 19 million new STI cases each year with almost half occurring in the 15 to 24 age bracket. Contributing factors for increase – poor economy, poor information on transmission rates, false sense of security, teens being teens……. .

Trichomoniasis Most common – curable – M/F - estimate 7. 4 millioneach year Single-cell parasite – Trichomonas Vaginalis – Most common site – F = vagina M = urethra Transmitted – sex. Contact Men – irritation in penis, mild discharge, burn after urine/ ejac. Female – frothy, yellow-green discharge w. strong odor, irritation, itching, discomfort during SI & urinating – inflammation of vulva Treatment – prescription drugs – oral or gel

SCABIES Intensely itchy contagious skin infestation – parasitic mite Barely visible to human eye (. 4 mm) Burrow into outer layer of skin – lay eggs- symptoms begin 2 -6 weeks later – not strictly an STI Burrows appear as silvery/brown wavy lines ½ inch long Can appear anywhere but mainly webbing of toes/fingers, genitals, anus, on the buttocks Very itchy rash of inflamed pimple-like lumps(papules/lesions) allergic reaction to mites, their eggs, feces Widespread itching after warm baths – Spread by contact – child care facilities – clothing? ? Treatment – clothing wash in 120 degree water – people/ lotions V

PUBIC LICE/CRABS Small crab-shaped parasites – act like mites Live on course body hair – yellow-gray in color use claws to grip hair strands Transmitted: sex – direct contact, clothing, bedding, college Symptoms: after 5 -7 days – Itchy skin – inflammation – visible lice/eggs – spots of blood from lice feeding – Treatment: Easy – hotwash clothes/bedding/towels/etc – Special shampoos, lotions – not necessary to shave

BACTERIA STI’s CHLAMYDIA – most common STI Highest Infection Group: 15 -20 Chlamydia outpaces all other STI’s for new cases(bacterial) Symptoms: FEMALES: pain when urinating, discharge/bleeding, pelvic pain MALES: pain when urinating, discharge from penis TREATMENT: Both partners = antibiotics If Untreated: FEMALES: infertilty, PID ectopic preg MALES: injure reproductive organs, swollen-tender testes INFANTS of INFECTED MOTHERS; illness, blindness

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Inflammation of upper reprod. Tract caused by migration of bacterial infection in vagina Serious complication SYMPTOMS: Pain in pelvic/abdominal region, discharge, long & painful period, spotting, fever, painful urination, nausea TREATMENT: Antibiotics, cures but does NOT repair damage done. Sometimes surgery may be needed If UNTREATED: Scars FTubes or uterus-leads to Ect. Preg/infertility- chronic Pelvic Pain

GONORRHEA Infects membranes – similar to Chlamydia SYMPTOMS: FEMALES: Often no obvious symptoms, pain when urinating, discharge/bleeding, ab/pelvic pain MALES: Pain when urinating, discharge TREATMENT: Partners take antibiotics – is becoming more difficult to treat due to resistant strains IF UNTREATED: FEMALES: PID, Ect. Preg, Infertility MALES: Scarring of urethra = , swelling of testes NEWBORNS: blindness, joint infection, life-threatening blood infections

SYPHILIS Bacteria that causes ulcers/chancres Spread through the blood, damages nervous system & body organs, passed to infant during birth SYMPTOMS: PHASE 1 - (10 -90 days after infect. )chancre where bac. entered body PHASE 2 – (2 -8 weeks after infect. )fever, spotty rash, swollen glands, joint pain, muscle aches, hair loss PHASE 3 - (2 + years after infect. ) heart/nervous sys damage, blindness, loss of cognitive abilities, possible death TREATMENT: Antibiotics – early!!! If UNTREATED: mental/physical disabilities, premature death INFANTS: premature birth, severe mental disabilities, deafness, death

VIRAL STI’S HUMAN PAPILLOMA VIRUS (HPV) Group of viruses that can cause warts in M/F and Cer. Cancer in females SYMPTOMS: FEMALES: Often none but, genital/anal warts(pink/reddish), abnormal PAP smear MALES: genital & anal warts TREATMENT: No cure, warts surgically removed, freeze, meds but often return UNTREATED: FEMALES – higher risk of C Cancer MALES – Genital cancers

GENITAL HERPES Herpes Simplex Virus(HSV) 2 types HSV 1 & HSV 2 SYMPTOMS: HSV 1 – cold sores, blisters around mouth, genitals HSV 2 - mild to no symptoms Red bumps, recurrent sores on/around genitals, fever with first infection, swollen lymph nodes TREATMENT: No cure , antiviral meds to shorten outbreaks UNTREATED: Infected for life INFANTS: infections of liver, brain, skin, eyes, mouth, disabilities, death

HEPATITIS Inflammation of the liver – different viruses cause B & C Both can be transmitted sexually-both life-threatening, + SYMPTOMS: Jaundice Tired, muscle aches, fever, loss of appetite, darkening of urine TREATMENT: No cure – Meds may help stop the spread, severe liver damage possible (replace) Vaccine is available to prevent B UNTREATED: Liver damage, failure, cancer, early death

HUMAN IMMUNO-DEFICIENCY VIRUS Infects cells of the immune sys. and causes AIDS making people susceptible to infection/disease –opportunistic Sex, blood, needles, breast milk Incubation – about 6 months to 1 year PHASE 1 – (initial exposure to 10 years or more) fatigue, wt. loss, fever, diarrhea, swollen glands, Kaposi Sarcoma, pneumonia, fungal infections, herpes outbreaks PHASE 2 – 1 + forgetfulness, cognitive issues, PHASE 3 – 1 & 2 + weakened immune system, severe infections, severe wt. loss, TREATMENT: No cure use of antiviral drugs & protease inhibitors (expensive 7 can make ill) UNTREATED many infections & illnesses, dementia, death

BEING RESPONSIBLE ABOUT STIs Be careful in your choices Seek MX right away Complete the full course of meds Have follow-up tests done Avoid all sexual activity while being treated Notify all sexual partners Wait to have sex