Sexually Transmitted

Diseases
(STDs)

Kenroy Reid
10 ABGS
Table of Contents
0
Title Page
#
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
2
List of Sexually Transmitted Diseases
2
HIV/AIDS 3
Syphilis
5
Herpes
7
Gonorrhea
9
Chlamydia
11

1
 Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are caused by infections that are passed from
one person to another during sexual contact. These infections often do not cause any
symptoms. Medically, infections are only called diseases when they cause symptoms.
That is why STDs are also called "sexually transmitted infections." It is very common for
people to use the terms "sexually transmitted diseases" or "STDs," even when there are
no signs of disease. There are many kinds of sexually transmitted diseases and
infections.

List of All Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Chancroid Jock itch (Tenia cruris)

Chlamydia Lymphogranuloma Venereum
Gonorrhea Molluscum Contagiosum
Granuloma Inguinale Nongonococcal urethritis
(Calymmatobacterium Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
granulomatis) Pubic Lice
Hepatitis Scabies
Herpes Syphilis
HIV/AIDS Trichomoniasis
Human Papillomavirus & Genital Yeast infections (Candida
Warts albicans)

2
 HIV/AIDS

HIV causes AIDS. HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. It breaks down the
immune system our body's protection against disease. HIV causes people to become
sick with infections that normally wouldn't affect them. AIDS is short for acquired
immune deficiency syndrome. It is the most advanced stage of HIV disease.

Causes

People have lots of questions about the ways you can get HIV. HIV is transmitted in
blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk. The most common ways HIV is spread
are by:

Having vaginal or anal intercourse without a condom with someone who has HIV/AIDS
Sharing needles or syringes with someone who has HIV/AIDS
Being deeply punctured with a needle or surgical instrument contaminated with HIV
Getting HIV-infected blood, semen, or vaginal secretions into open wounds or sores
Babies born to women with HIV/AIDS can get HIV from their mothers during birth or
from breastfeeding.
HIV is not transmitted by simple casual contact such as kissing, sharing drinking
glasses, or hugging.

Incubation Period

The time between infection with the virus and the onset of symptoms of AIDS (the
incubation period) ranges from a few months to ten years or more. Infected persons can
spread the virus during the incubation period.

Symptoms
AIDS symptoms appear in the most advanced stage of HIV disease. In addition to a
badly damaged immune system, a person with AIDS may also have

thrush a thick, whitish coating of the tongue or mouth that is caused by a yeast
infection and sometimes accompanied by a sore throat
severe or recurring vaginal yeast infections
chronic pelvic inflammatory disease
severe and frequent infections
periods of extreme and unexplained tiredness that may be combined with
headaches, lightheadedness, and/or dizziness
quick loss of more than 10 pounds of weight that is not due to increased physical
exercise or dieting
bruising more easily than normal
long periods of frequent diarrhea
frequent fevers and/or night sweats
swelling or hardening of glands located in the throat, armpit, or groin
periods of persistent, deep, dry coughing
increasing shortness of breath
the appearance of discolored or purplish growths on the skin or inside the mouth
unexplained bleeding from growths on the skin, from the mouth, nose, anus, or
vagina, or from any opening in the body
frequent or unusual skin rashes
severe numbness or pain in the hands or feet, the loss of muscle control and reflex,
paralysis, or loss of muscular strength
confusion, personality change, or decreased mental abilities.

Diagnosis

To diagnose AIDS, the doctor will need (1) a confirmed, positive test for HIV ("HIV
positive" test) and (2) evidence of an AIDS-defining condition or severely depleted CD4
cells. Testing for HIV is a two-step process involving a screening test and a confirmatory
test.

Treatment

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is the use of HIV medicines to treat HIV infection. People on
ART take a combination of HIV medicines (called an HIV regimen) every day. ART is
recommended for everyone infected with HIV. People infected with HIV should start
ART as soon as possible. ART cant cure HIV, but HIV medicines help people infected
with HIV live longer, healthier lives. ART also reduces the risk of HIV transmission.

Potential risks of ART include unwanted side effects from HIV medicines and drug
interactions between HIV medicines or between HIV medicines and other medicines a
person is taking. Poor adherencenot taking HIV medicines every day and exactly as
prescribedcan lead to drug resistance and treatment failure.

SYPHILIS
Causes

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by an infection with bacteria

known as Treponema pallidum. Like other STDs, syphilis can be spread by any type of
sexual contact. Syphilis can also be spread from an infected mother to the fetus during
pregnancy or to the baby at the time of birth.

Incubation Period

An incubation period is the time between exposure to a disease and the first symptom.
A skin sore called a chancre is usually the first symptom of sexually transmitted syphilis.
A chancre appears between 3 weeks to 3 months after a person has been infected with
syphilis.

Symptoms

The first symptoms of syphilis usually develop around two or three weeks after infection,
although they can start later than this.

This stage of the infection is known as "primary syphilis".

the main symptom is a small, painless sore or ulcer called a chancre that you
might not notice
the sore will typically be on the penis, vagina, or around the anus, although
they can sometimes appear in the mouth or on the lips, fingers or buttocks
most people only have one sore, but some people have several
you may also have swollen glands in your neck, groin or armpits
These symptoms usually pass within two to eight weeks. But if the infection isn't treated,
it may progress to a second stage (see below).

Further symptoms may develop a few weeks after the initial symptoms have passed.

This is known as "secondary syphilis".

Symptoms of secondary syphilis include:
a blotchy red rash that can appear anywhere on the body, but often develops on
the palms of the hands or soles of the feet
small skin growths (similar to genital warts) on women these often appear on
the vulva and for both men and women they may appear around the anus
white patches in the mouth
flu-like symptoms, such as tiredness, headaches, joint pains and a high
temperature (fever)
swollen glands
occasionally, patchy hair loss
Diagnosis

Syphilis can be diagnosed by testing samples of: Blood. Blood tests can confirm the
presence of antibodies that the body produces to fight infection. The antibodies to the
bacteria that cause syphilis remain in your body for years, so the test can be used to
determine a current or past infection.

Treatment

Penicillin is the antibiotic most commonly used to treat syphilis. Penicillin is usually
given as a shot (injection). If you are allergic to penicillin, your doctor may prescribe
another antibiotic in early stages of syphilis, such as doxycycline, tetracycline,
ceftriaxone, or azithromycin.
 HERPES
Causes

The herpes simplex virus (HSV) is easily human transmissible. It is passed from one
person to another by close, direct contact. The most common mode of transmission is
through vaginal, anal or oral sex. When somebody becomes infected with HSV, it will
generally remain dormant. Most people who are infected with HSV do not know it
because their symptoms are so slight - many people have no discernible symptoms.
Cases of genital herpes are typically caused by HSV-2, which is primarily transmitted
through sexual contact. HSV-1, which most commonly causes oral herpes, can cause
genital herpes through oral-genital contact.

Incubation Period

For HSV-1, the amount of time between contact with the virus and the appearance of
symptoms, the incubation period, is two to 12 days. Most people average about three to
six days. Duration of illness: Signs and symptoms will last two to three weeks (healing
time).

Symptoms

Primary infection symptoms

Primary infection is a term used for an outbreak of genital herpes that is evident when a
person is first infected. Primary infection symptoms, if they are experienced, are usually
more severe than subsequent recurrences. Symptoms can last up to 20 days and may
include:
 Blisters and ulceration on the cervix
Vaginal discharge
Pain when urinating
A temperature (fever)
Malaise (feeling unwell)
Cold sores around the mouth
Red blisters - these are generally painful and they soon burst and leave ulcers on
the external genital area, thighs, buttocks and rectum

In most cases the ulcers will heal and the patient will not have any lasting scars.

Recurrent infection symptoms

These symptoms tend to be less severe and do not last as long, because the patient's
body has built up some immunity to the virus. In most cases symptoms will not last for
more than 10 days.

Burning/tingling around genitals before blisters appear

Women may have blisters and ulceration on the cervix
Cold sores around the mouth
Red blisters - these are generally painful and the soon burst and leave ulcers on
the external genital area, thighs, buttocks and rectum.

Diagnosis

A doctor usually can diagnose genital herpes based on a physical exam and the results
of certain laboratory tests: Viral culture. This test involves taking a tissue sample or
scraping of the sores for examination in the laboratory. This is a Polymerase chain
reaction (PCR) test.

Treatment

There are three major drugs commonly used to treat genital herpes symptoms: acyclovir
(Zovirax), famciclovir (Famvir), and valacyclovir (Valtrex). These are all taken in pill
form. Severe cases may be treated with the intravenous (IV) drug acyclovir.
 GONORRHEA
Causes

Gonorrhea is an infection caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae; it not only

affects the reproductive tract, but can also affect the mucus membranes of the mouth,
throat, eyes, and rectum. The infection is transmitted through sexual contact with an
infected person involving the penis, vagina, anus, or mouth.

Incubation Period

The incubation period, the time from exposure to the bacteria until symptoms develop,
is usually 2 to 5 days. But sometimes symptoms may not develop for up to 30 days.
Gonorrhea may not cause symptoms until the infection has spread to other areas of the
body.

Symptoms

Gonorrhea symptoms in women

Greenish yellow or whitish discharge from the vagina

Lower abdominal or pelvic pain
Burning when urinating
Conjunctivitis (red, itchy eyes)
Bleeding between periods
Spotting after intercourse
Swelling of the vulva (vulvitis)
Burning in the throat (due to oral sex)
Swollen glands in the throat (due to oral sex)
 In some women, symptoms are so mild that they go unnoticed.

Many women with gonorrhea discharge think they have a yeast infection and self-treat
with over-the-counter yeast infection drug. Because vaginal discharge can be a sign of
a number of different problems, it is best to always seek the advice of a doctor to ensure
proper diagnosis and treatment.

Gonorrhea symptoms in men

Greenish yellow or whitish discharge from the penis

Burning when urinating
Burning in the throat (due to oral sex)
Painful or swollen testicles
Swollen glands in the throat (due to oral sex)
In men, symptoms usually appear two to 14 days after infection.

Diagnosis

Testing for gonorrhea is done by swabbing the infected site (rectum, throat, cervix) and
identifying the bacteria in the laboratory either through culturing of the material from the
swab (growing the bacteria) or identification of the genetic material from the bacteria.

Treatment

The recommended treatment for gonorrhea are antibiotics either ceftriaxone or cefixime
administered as an injection. You will also be given an antibiotic called azithromycin that
is taken in tablet form at the same time this helps treat any chlamydia infection (it is
common for people to get both infections together).
 CHLAMYDIA
Causes

Chlamydia is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. The disease is spread

by oral, vaginal, or anal sex, and if you touch your eyes with a contaminated hand, you
may also develop conjunctivitis. Chlamydia can also be passed during vaginal birth to
the infant.

Incubation Period

The incubation period for chlamydia is quite variable and may range from days to
months after the initial exposure. The average time from exposure to the development
of symptoms is usually about one to three weeks after sexual contact with an infected
person.

Symptoms

Chlamydia symptoms in women

Abnormal vaginal discharge that may have an odor

Bleeding between periods
Painful periods
Abdominal pain with fever
Pain when having sex
Itching or burning in or around the vagina
Pain when urinating

Chlamydia symptoms in men

 Small amounts of clear or cloudy discharge from the tip of the penis
Painful urination
Burning and itching around the opening of the penis
Pain and swelling around the testicles

Diagnosis

A swab. For women, your doctor takes a swab of the discharge from your cervix
for culture or antigen testing for chlamydia. This can be done during a routine
Pap smear or test.
A urine test. A sample of your urine analyzed in the laboratory may indicate the
presence of this infection.

Treatment

If you have chlamydia, your doctor will prescribe oral antibiotics, usually azithromycin
(Zithromax) or doxycycline. Your doctor will also recommend your partner(s) be treated
to prevent reinfection and further spread of the disease. With treatment, the infection
should clear up in about a week or two.
Kenroy Reid
10 ABGS