Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI)

Chlamydia

Cause

• Chlamydia is caused by bacteria.

• The bacteria are transmitted via genital fluids (i.e., semen or vaginal secretions) during vaginal, anal, or oral sex with an infected partner.

Symptoms

• If symptoms occur, they usually appear 1 to 3 weeks after transmission

• Often has no symptoms

• Vaginal discharge/ Penile discharge

• Pain during urination

• Increased frequency of urination

Diagnosis

• Lab tests usually determine diagnosis

Treatment

• Antibiotics

Risk-Reduction Tips

• Sexual abstinence

• Maintaining monogamous relationship

• Use of condoms

 If treated promptly, chlamydia has high cure rates.

Genital Herpes(HSV)

Cause

• Genital Herpes is caused by the herpes simplex virus(HSV)

• Herpes is transmitted via skin-to-skin or oral-to-genital contact with an infected partner.

• Condoms may not protect against contracting genital herpes, however they do reduce the risk.

Symptoms

• Tingling or itching in the buttocks, legs, or genital area

• First episode can have visible sores or systemic symptoms

• Multiple, small, painful sores can appear on external genital area; usually last 2 to 4 weeks until they crust over or disappear.

• Symptoms can appear 3 to 6 days after contact.

Diagnosis

• Visual examination of sores with confirmation via lab tests

• HSV 1 & 2 blood tests (herpes simplex virus)

Treatment

• Genital Herpes can be treated, but not cured

• Oral medication is used.

Risk-Reduction Tips

• Sexual abstinence

• Maintaining monogamous relationship

• Use of condoms

Herpes can be transmitted even if partner does not have visible sores

Gonorrhea

Cause

• Gonorrhea is caused by bacteria

• Gonorrhea is transmitted by sexual contact (oral, anal, or vaginal)

Symptoms

• Intense inflammation of vagina or testicles

• Pain or burning during urination

• Yellow vaginal or penile discharge; vaginal bleeding can occur

• Sometimes genital itching

• Symptoms usually appear 10 days after transmission

Diagnosis

• Patient history and physical exam confirmed by lab tests

Treatment

• Antibiotics

Risk-Reduction Tips

• Sexual abstinence

• Maintaining monogamous relationship

• Use of condoms

 If treated promptly, gonorrhea has high cure rates. 

Human Immune Deficiency Virus (HIV)

Cause

• HIV is caused by a virus

• Can be passed via blood, semen and vaginal fluids during sexual contact or by sharing needles with an infected individual.

• When the immune system gets very weak, other diseases and infections can enter the body.  This stage of HIV is called AIDS.

Symptoms

• May occur 2 to 4 weeks after infection

• Often has no symptoms

• May display fever, fatigue, body aches, rash, swollen lymph nodes

Diagnosis

• Blood Test

• It can take 3 to 12 months after infection for the body to make enough antibodies to report a positive test

• A negative test may mean you are infected, but your body has not made HIV antibodies yet

• Talk to your healthcare professional about the need for retesting

Treatment

• There are treatments for HIV, but there is still no cure

• Early intervention is essential

Risk-Reduction Tips

• Sexual abstinence

• Maintaining monogamous relationship

• Use of latex condoms

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) & External Genital Warts (EGW) 

Cause

• HPV is a virus that is highly contagious

• HPV is usually transmitted through direct skin-to-skin contact during vaginal, anal, and sometimes oral sex with an infected partner.

Symptoms

• Warts may develop on genitalia (vagina, penis) or anus

• Warts may sometimes appear on woman’s cervix

• Symptoms will not show for weeks to months after it is transmitted and may not show symptoms at all.

Diagnosis

• External genital warts identified by visual examination

• Annual Pap smear can detect changes in cervix, which may indicate HPV is present.

Treatment

• Topical creams or gels

• “Freezing” with liquid nitrogen

• Surgical removal

Risk-Reduction Tips

• Sexual abstinence

• Maintaining monogamous relationship

• Use of condoms (may not offer complete protection from HPV)

Syphilis

Cause

• Syphilis is caused by the spirochete, a spiral organism

• Transmission occurs when broken skin or mucous membranes are exposed to the sore of an infected sexual partner.  The genitals, mouth, and anal area are especially susceptible to infection.

Symptoms

• Symptoms appear within 3 weeks after exposure

• Painless sores in mouth or genital area

• Swollen lymph glands

• Flu like symptoms

• Untreated syphilis may enter into a dormant phase and resurface years later with signs of weakness, fever and a rash on the body, palms of hands and soles of feet.

Diagnosis

• Evaluation of symptoms

• Blood test

Treatment

• Antibiotics

Risk-Reducing Tips

• Sexual abstinence

• Maintaining monogamous relationships

• Use of condoms

Trichomoniasis

Cause

• Trichomoniasis is caused by a parasite

• Transmitted by sexual contact

Symptoms

• Vaginal discharge often yellow-green (sometimes gray), frothy, mild to foul odor

• Vaginal itching, redness, or swelling can occur

• Pain with urination

• Discomfort during sexual intercourse

• Increase in symptoms during or after menstrual period

• Symptoms develop within 28 days of transmission

Diagnosis

• Lab tests of vaginal discharge or penile secretion

Treatment

• Oral antimicrobial medication

• Potentially infected sexual partners are also treated to ensure eradication of infection

Risk-Reduction Tips

• Sexual abstinence

• Maintaining monogamous relationships

• Use of condoms

Trichomoniasis has high cure rates if both infected person and partner are treated