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