STIs

• STIs are infections spread through sexual contact, including intercourse
• chlamydia

  • bacterium, but behaves similarly to a virus as it can only reproduce inside host cells
  • although it doesn't always cause symptoms, it can result in infertility
  • spread reduced by wearing a condom, screening individuals so they can be treated or avoiding sexual contact
• HIV

  • human immunodeficiency virus kills white blood cells
  • eventually leads to AIDS (aquired immune deficiency syndrome)
  • this is when the infected person's immune system deteriorates and eventually fails so the person becomes very vulnerable to opportunistic infections by other pathogens
  • spread by infected bodily fluids. main way to prevent is to use a condom. drug users should avoid sharing needles. medication can reduce the risk of an individual passing the virus on (during sex or to a baby during pregnancy)