STIs

• STIs

  • Infections that are transmitted by close body contact, usually with the genital organs
  • Caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi or parasites
• Chlamydia

  • Bacterial - caused by the micro organism Chlamydia Trachomatis
  • Known as the ‘silent infection’ because most people show no symptoms and are unaware they infected
  • Symptoms
  • Abnormal discharge
  • Bleeding between periods
  • Lower abdominal pain
  • Diagnosed with urine test or vaginal/cervical/penile swab
  • Treatment
  • antibiotics
  • If untreated can lead to infertility, eye infection, arthritis and pelvic inflammatory disease
• Genital Herpes

  • Viral - caused by the herpes simplex virus
  • Symptoms
  • Painful blisters o the penis, labia and vagina which form ulcers and scab
  • Flu like symptoms
  • Rash
  • Treatment
  • Medication to reduce pain
  • Saline dressings to clean up blisters
  • Abstinence from intercourse
  • Antiviral drugs may reduce the severity and length of attack
  • Once an individual has been affected the virus remains in the nervous system for the rest of their life. Reinfection can occur at any time
• Genital warts

  • Viral -  human papillomavirus (HPV)
  • Symptoms
  • Small growths found on the vagina, labia, cervix or penis
  • Itching, burning, pain
  • Treatment
  • Creams to destroy genital wart tissue
  • Warts can be burnt off
  • Creams to boost immune systems ability to fight of warts
• Human Immunodeficieny Virus (HIV)

  • Viral - caused by the human immunodeficiency virus
  • Weakening of the body’s immune system. The infected person s susceptible to infection by other micro-organisms and some other form of cancer
  • Almost all cases lead to acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)
  • Anyone infected with HIV remains infected for life
  • Symptoms
  • Flu like symptoms
  • Treatments
  • No cure or vaccine to prevent infection.
  • Anti-viral drugs exist to inhibit the reproduction of the virus however this is not 100% effective
• Trichomoniasis

  • Bacterial - caused by a protozoan, trichomonas vaginalis
  • Inflammation of the mucus membranes of the vagina in females and urethra in males
  • Symptoms
  • Women - discomfort, vaginal discharge and itch
  • Men - asymptomatic
  • Treatment
  • Antibiotics
• Pubic lice and Scabies

  • Parasites
  • Scabies - mites called Sarcoptes scabei
  • Pubic lice - insects called Phthirus pubis
  • Symptoms
  • Intense itching of the genital area due the sensitivity to the parasite to their faeces
  • Treatment
  • Lotion applied to the skin which kills he parasite and their eggs
• Gonorrhoea

  • Bacterial - caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae
  • Symptoms
  •  May not be recognised in females
  •  Sore throat
  • Abdominal/testicular pain
  • Increased urination frequency/burning and pain during urination
  • Abnormal discharge
  • If untreated can lead to infertility
  • Treatment
  • Antibiotics
• Syphilis

  • Bacterial - caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum
  • There are 3 stages 
  • Symptoms + stages
  • Primary stage - sores/ulcers on the genital regions, eyes and mouth
  • Secondary stage - skin rashes, sore/ulcerated mouth or throat, mild fevers no bone/eye disorders
  • Latent stage - no noticeable symptoms but body is still infected
  • Treatment
  • Antibiotics
• Safe sex

  • Involves taking precautions to make sure bodily fluids are not exchanged during sexual intercourse
  • For intercourse - condoms
  • For oral sex - condoms or dental dam