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Sexually Transmitted Infectionswww.healthunit.org
Sexually TransmittedInfections
(STIs)
Sexually Transmitted Infectionswww.healthunit.org
Overview Definition of STIs: “What are they?” Transmission: “How are they spread?” Types of infection:
– Bacterial (Chlamydia, LGV, Gonorrhea, Syphilis)– Viral (HSV, Hepatitis B, HIV, HPV)– Parasitic (Pubic lice, scabies, trichomoniasis)
Prevention: “How can I protect myself?” Testing: “Where can I go for help?”
Sexually Transmitted Infectionswww.healthunit.org
Sexually Transmitted Infections Today our country faces an epidemic of STIs.
– An epidemic is an outbreak of an infectious disease that affects a large population
– About 12 million new cases of STIs are reported each year– Two-thirds about all STI cases occur in adolescents and
young adults Sexually Transmitted Inflections are infectious diseases
spread from person to person that are most commonly passed through sexual contact:
1. Oral
2. Vaginal
3. Anal
4. Skin-to-skin
Sexually Transmitted Infectionswww.healthunit.org
STIs and Adolescents
Why are teens as a group at particularly high risk for infection from STIs?
One reason is that teens who are sexually active are likely to exhibit one or more of the following behaviours:1. Having more than one sexual partner rather than committing to a single,
long-term relationship
2. Engaging in unprotected sex
3. Selecting partners at higher risk, such as those with a history of multiple sex partners or intravenous drug use. An additional risk for teen females is that they lack an immunity to some of the pathogens that cause STIs
Sexually Transmitted Infectionswww.healthunit.org
STIs and Adolescents Cont’d
Why are teens with an STI less likely to seek medical attention when compared to an adult?
1. Some teens are simply unaware of what action to take
2. Fear of disapproval by parents or other adults at home
3. Refuse to believe that they could have an STI
4. Through denial and rationalization, they ignore the signs and symptoms of infection
Sexually Transmitted Infectionswww.healthunit.org
TRANSMISSION
The primary means of transmission of STIs is sexual contact.– NOTE: A person who practices abstinence from
sexual activity reduces his or her risk of contracting an STI
In order for transmission to occur, it is necessary to have:– A body fluid with the germ in it– A way of spreading the germ from one person to
another
Sexually Transmitted Infectionswww.healthunit.org
BODY FLUIDS: Which one’s are considered infectious?
Semen Vaginal fluid Blood Fluid in sores or
blisters
Saliva Tears Sweat Urine Ear wax
Sexually Transmitted Infectionswww.healthunit.org
METHODS OF TRANSMISSION:Low Risk or No Risk
Abstaining Hugging Kissing Holding hands Dancing Sitting on toilets
Sharing lip balm Mutual
monogamy Massage Sharing forks,
knives, etc.
Sexually Transmitted Infectionswww.healthunit.org
METHODS OF TRANSMISSION:High Risk
Sexual Intercourse vaginal anal oral
Blood-to-blood contact Sharing needles or other drug-use
equipment Tattoo or body piercing Infected mother to her baby
Sexually Transmitted Infectionswww.healthunit.org
Bacterial vs. Viral STI’s
Bacterial STI’s include Chlamydia, LGV, gonorrhea & syphilis
Can be treated and cured with antibiotics
Untreated infection can cause PID, infertility, & epididymitis
Viral STI’s include HPV, HIV, Herpes, & Hepatitis B
There is NO cure Medication available to
treat symptoms only Can pass onto others
for the rest of your life
Sexually Transmitted Infectionswww.healthunit.org
Chlamydia The most common bacterial STI
– Greatest number of infections found in people 15 to 24 years old STI caused by bacteria that affect the genital mucous membrane, primarily in
the lining of the urethra of the male and in the cervix and vagina of the female Symptoms in male:
– Unusual discharge from penis and a burning sensation during urination
Symptoms in female:– Unsual discharge from vagina, painful urination, pain in pelvic region
50% have NO symptoms - men and women Can be treated with antibiotics If left untreated, can cause:
1. Nongonococcal Urethritis: infection caused by several kinds of bacteria-like organisms that infect the urethra in males and the cervix in females
2. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease: painful infection in the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and/or uterus.
Sexually Transmitted Infectionswww.healthunit.org
CHLAMYDIA
Sexually Transmitted Infectionswww.healthunit.org
GONORRHEA
The 2nd most common bacterial STI
Most common in people aged 15 to 29
Can affect the cervix, urethra, rectum, throat, and occasionally the eyes
Can be treated with antibiotics
Sexually Transmitted Infectionswww.healthunit.org
GONORRHEA: Signs & Symptoms
Female– Increased vaginal
discharge– Painful urination– Lower abdominal
pain– Bleeding after sex
and between periods
– Pain during sex
Male– Thick, yellowish-
green discharge from penis
– Painful urination– Testicular pain or
swelling– Rectal pain,
discharge or itching
Sexually Transmitted Infectionswww.healthunit.org
GONORRHEA
Sexually Transmitted Infectionswww.healthunit.org
Trichomoniasis
A vaginal infection that can lead to urethra and bladder infections
Can be cured with a medicine that can be prescribed only by a physician
Can cause Vaginitis (common inflammation of the female genitals)
Sexually Transmitted Infectionswww.healthunit.org
Genital Warts (Herpes Simplex Virus - HSV)
It is a viral infection characterized by pink or reddish warts with cauliflower-like tops that appear on the genitals
Caused by a virus called the human papilloma virus (HPV) Once infected, a person has the virus for the rest of her or his
life A physician may remove the warts, but they may reappear NOTE: This STI is known to be one of the causes of cervical
cancer in women.
Sexually Transmitted Infectionswww.healthunit.org
Genital Herpes(Herpes Simplex Virus - HSV)
Two types: HSV-1, causing cold sores, and HSV-2, causing genital herpes
It is a viral infection characterized by blister-like sores in the genital area
Spread through direct vaginal, oral or anal sexual contact with an infected partner
Also transmitted by receiving oral sex from a partner with a history of cold sores
Symptoms can be treated with antiviral medications, but NO CURE
Sexually Transmitted Infectionswww.healthunit.org
Genital Herpes – Signs & Symptoms
Prior to an outbreak, the person may feel a tingling or burning sensation where the virus first entered the skin
Painful sores (external or internal) Inflammation and redness Fever Muscular pain Tender lymph nodes
Sexually Transmitted Infectionswww.healthunit.org
Genital Herpes
Sexually Transmitted Infectionswww.healthunit.org
SYPHILIS
An STI that attacks many parts of the body and is caused by a small bacterium called a spirochete
A bacterial infection that progresses in stages– Primary: (3 days – 3 months) starts as a small, painless sore
called a chancre; goes away on it’s own– Secondary: (2 – 24 weeks) rash on the body, palms of hands &
soles of feet, hair loss, feeling sick– Latent: (2+ years after infection) signs and symptoms disappear,
but infection begins to attack the heart and blood vessels of the CNS. Note: relapse into the second stage can occur.
– Neurosyphilis: (10-30 years) the heart, skin, brain, and spinal cord are affected. Due to CNS impairment, a person man experience paralysis and convulsions
Sexually Transmitted Infectionswww.healthunit.org
Hepatitis B (HBV)
Virus that attacks the liver Most infected people (90%) naturally produce
antibodies to fight the disease, but some develop chronic HBV and will carry the virus for the rest of their life
Chronic infection can lead to liver damage, cirrhosis, and cancer
There is NO CURE, but vaccination can prevent infection
Sexually Transmitted Infectionswww.healthunit.org
Hepatitis BWoman suffering from liver cancer caused by HBV
Photo courtesy of Patricia Walker, MD
Sexually Transmitted Infectionswww.healthunit.org
HIV/AIDS
HIV is a virus that destroys the immune system over time, robbing the body of its ability to fight other infections and illnesses
Once the immune system is weakened, other infections occur and AIDS develops (the fatal stage of HIV infection)
The virus is present in blood, semen, vaginal secretions & breast milk
Sexually Transmitted Infectionswww.healthunit.org
HIV / AIDS – Signs & Symptoms
2 to 4 weeks after exposure, some people experience mild flu-like symptoms that last a few weeks, then disappear
Many people have NO symptoms until years after exposure
The only way to know is to get TESTED!
Sexually Transmitted Infectionswww.healthunit.org
Candidiasis
Pronounced kan-duh-DY-uh-suhs A yeast infection of the vagina Usually occurs without sexual contact, but is often
passed to a partner during sexual contact Symptoms include: yellowish discharge, strong
odour, and itching Can be cured through medicated creams and
tablets sold over the counter
Sexually Transmitted Infectionswww.healthunit.org
Pubic Lice & Scabies
Infections caused by parasitic infestations Pubic lice: tiny crab-like insects that nest in
pubic hair & bite their host to feed on blood Scabies: mites that burrow below the
surface of the skin to lay their eggs Can live for 1 – 3 days on bedding, towels
and clothing Treated with medicated creams & lotions
Sexually Transmitted Infectionswww.healthunit.org
Pubic Lice
Sexually Transmitted Infectionswww.healthunit.org
Scabies mite
Sexually Transmitted Infectionswww.healthunit.org
STI Prevention
Abstain from sexual intercourse (only method that is 100% effective)
Don’t share needles or other drug-use equipment
Have only 1 mutually faithful, uninfected sexual partner
Get tested for STI’s before having sex Use a latex condom & spermicide Avoid alcohol & other drugs
Sexually Transmitted Infectionswww.healthunit.org
When should I get tested?
Once you become sexually active, you need a check-up & STI testing once a year
You also need an STI test if:– You didn’t use a condom or the condom broke– Your partner has an STI– Your partner is having sex with someone else– You have ever injected drugs – You or your partner have any STI symptoms– You have been raped
Sexually Transmitted Infectionswww.healthunit.org
Responsibilities of Infected Individuals
Treatment for sexually transmitted diseases is an important personal as well as social responsibility1. The individual must take action to have the disease
treated
2. It is also important for a person infected with an STI to notify all people with whom he or she has had sexual contact.
3. Educate partners about the symptoms and risks of the particular STI and encourage them to have a medical checkup
Sexually Transmitted Infectionswww.healthunit.org
Where to go for help:
Parents Health Teacher Health Unit Clinic Family Doctor or Nurse Practitioner Walk-in-clinic Hospital Emergency Department
Sexually Transmitted Infectionswww.healthunit.org
Remember…
…your medical information will always remain CONFIDENTIAL!