UTS 7.4

• Syphilis

  • Result of Treponema pallidum bacterium
  • Transmitted by sexual contact
  • Can be passed from a pregnant woman to her baby, leading to stillbirth or serious congenital deformities
  • Incubation period of 9-90 days, average of 21 days
  • Each stage has characteristic signs and symptoms
  • Some show no symptoms, while others may have mild presentations
  • Bacterium can cause serious health problems later on
• Genital herpes

  • Caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV)
  • Affects the skin, cervix, genitals, and some other parts of the body
  • Two types: HSV-1 (herpes type 1) and HSV-2 (herpes type 2)
  • Chronic condition
  • Easily transmissible through direct contact
  • Most commonly transmitted through vaginal, oral, or anal sex for type 2 HSV
  • More commonly transmitted from shared straws, utensils, and surfaces for type 1 HSV
  • Virus remains dormant in most cases
  • Symptoms may include blisters, ulceration, vaginal discharge, pain on urinating, fever, feeling unwell, cold sores, red blisters on external genital area, rectum, thighs, and buttocks
• Human papillomavirus (HPV)


  • A group of viruses affecting the skin and mucous membranes
  • Over 100 types, about 40 affecting genital areas
  • Can lead to abnormal cell growth, alteration within the cervix, genital warts
  • Most individuals have no symptoms
  • Transmitted through vaginal or anal sex, oral sex, genital-to-genital contact
  • Can be transmitted from a pregnant woman to her baby during childbirth
  • Vaccination is the best prevention
• Gonorrhoea


  • Sexually transmitted bacterial infection attacking mucous membranes
  • Also known as the clap or the drip
  • Caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae
  • Majority of women show no signs or symptoms
  • If untreated, females may develop pelvic inflammatory disease, males may develop inflammation of the prostate gland, urethra, or epididymis
  • Bacteria can survive in the vagina, penis, mouth, rectum, or eye
  • Can be transmitted during sexual contact
  • Risk of spreading bacteria to other parts of the body, including passing the infection from a pregnant woman to the infant during childbirth