Sexually Transmitted Infections
Content
How Do I know if I have a STI?
Prevention
Details About Common STI’s
Extra Relevant Information
Information
- Many diseases and infections can easily be passed through from person to person through sexual contact.
- These diseases and infections are known as STI’s (Sexually Transmitted Infections.
- STIs are infections usually passed on during unprotected sex with an infected partner.
- This can be vaginal, oral or anal sex, and sometimes skin-to-skin contact.
How Do I know if I have a STI?
Some symptoms are:
• Unusual discharge (pus) from the penis or vagina
• Pain or irritation when passing urine, or during sex
• Sores, blisters, ulcers, warts, lumps or rashes in the genital or anal area
• Itchiness or irritation in the genital or anal area
• Pain in the lower belly
• Changes in periods.
Prevention
How to prevent STIs
• Don’t have sex. It is your right to say NO if you don’t want sex.
• Have sex with only one partner. This is only safe if neither one of you ever has sex with other people, and if both of you have been tested for STIs and aren’t infected.
• Only have sex in ways that don’t spread STIs. Kissing, sensuous touching and mutual masturbation are generally safe (although close skin-to-skin contact can spread some STIs).
• Use barriers to help prevent STIs. Use condoms, female condoms (which fit into the vagina) and dental dams (a sheet of rubber that prevents skin-to-skin contact during oral sex). (see the Consequences of Pregnancy and Sex page for more details)
Details About Common STI’s
Viral Diseases
HIV and AIDS
Microscopic view of HIV
· How it is spread
o Caused by the virus HIV
o Direct exchange of body fluids
o Blood, Semen and vaginal fluids
o High risk activities: sexual contact / sharing needles
o Low risk activities: kissing / sharing coffee mugs
· Symptoms
o Flu-like symptoms (shortly after infection)
o Eventual breakdown of immune system
o Results in other dangerous infections such as pneumonia
o Usually ends in death
· Treatment : No cure / some drugs may slow the process
Herpes
Female patient with Herpes in genital area
· How it is spread
o Direct contact with active sore (related to the common cold sore)
· Symptoms
o Large cold sores or pimplelike sores on mouth, genitals or nearby regions
o Itching and Fever
· Treatment: No cure / some drugs and ointments can be used to reduce symptoms.
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)
A patient with severe HPV in the female genital region
· How it is spread
o Genital skin contact (during sex)
o Not spread through blood or bodily fluids
· Symptoms
o Often no symptoms
o Sometimes genital warts or abnormal PAP smear
· Treatment: Vaccination (clears up in 1-2 years). Increased cervical cancer
o Genital skin contact (during sex)
o Not spread through blood or bodily fluids
· Symptoms
o Often no symptoms
o Sometimes genital warts or abnormal PAP smear
· Treatment: Vaccination (clears up in 1-2 years). Increased cervical cancer
Bacterial Infections
Gonorrhoea (the clap)
Microscopic view of Gonorrhoea
· How it is spread : any form of sexual contact
· Symptoms:
o May have no symptoms
o Can cause extreme pain when urinating for men
o Can cause a yellow, thick discharge oozing from penis / vagina
o Can cause infertility
· Treatment : antibiotics
· Symptoms:
o May have no symptoms
o Can cause extreme pain when urinating for men
o Can cause a yellow, thick discharge oozing from penis / vagina
o Can cause infertility
· Treatment : antibiotics
Syphilis (the pox)
A patient with severe Syphilis on the back
· How it is spread
o Any form of sexual contact
o Enters through breaks in skin
· Symptoms:
o First stage = open, painless sore called a chancre
o Second Stage = If the chancre is untreated a rash might develop
o Final Stage (up to 10 years) = loss of brain function and brain infections, and final and deadly infection of body organs
· Treatment : Antibiotics
o Any form of sexual contact
o Enters through breaks in skin
· Symptoms:
o First stage = open, painless sore called a chancre
o Second Stage = If the chancre is untreated a rash might develop
o Final Stage (up to 10 years) = loss of brain function and brain infections, and final and deadly infection of body organs
· Treatment : Antibiotics
Chlamydia
Pus Discharge from the male penis
· How it is spread: any form of sexual contact
· Symptoms:
o Sometimes no symptoms
o May cause pain whilst urinating for men
o Possible pus discharge from penis and vagina
o Can cause infertility
· Treatment : antibiotics
· Symptoms:
o Sometimes no symptoms
o May cause pain whilst urinating for men
o Possible pus discharge from penis and vagina
o Can cause infertility
· Treatment : antibiotics
Insect Infestations
Pubic Lice
Microscopic view of Pubic Lice
· How it is spread: any form of sexual contact
· Symptoms:
o Itchiness of the pubic hair
o Infestation may become visible
o Severe red rash under pubic hair
· Treatment : Specialised lotions
· Symptoms:
o Itchiness of the pubic hair
o Infestation may become visible
o Severe red rash under pubic hair
· Treatment : Specialised lotions
Extra Relevant Information
10 FACTS ON SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONSFrom the World Health Organisation: http://www.who.int/en/
1)Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are mostly spread from one infected person to another through sexual intercourse. Some infections may also be transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy and childbirth. Another way that infections are passed on is through the sharing of blood products or tissue transfers. Some diseases caused by STIs include syphilis, AIDS and cervical cancer.
2) STIs often exist without symptoms, particularly in women. Thus, men and women with sexual partners who have STI symptoms should seek care regardless of a lack of signs. Whenever an infection is diagnosed or suspected, effective treatment should be provided promptly to avoid complications
3) STIs disproportionately affect women and adolescent girls. Every year, one in 20 adolescent girls gets a bacterial infection through sexual contact, and the age at which infections are acquired is becoming younger and younger. Improving awareness and knowledge of STIs and how to prevent them among adolescents should be part of all sexual health education and services
4) Sexually transmitted infections are important causes of Fallopian tube damage that lead to infertility in women. Between 10% and 40% of women with untreated chlamydial infections develop symptomatic pelvic inflammatory disease. Post-infection damage of the Fallopian tubes is responsible for 30% to 40% of female infertility cases.
5) In pregnancy, untreated early syphilis is responsible for 1 in 4 stillbirths and 14% of neonatal (newborn) deaths. About 4% to 15% of pregnant women in Africa test positive for syphilis. Interventions to more effectively screen pregnant women for syphilis and prevent mother-to-child transmission of the disease could prevent an estimated 492 000 stillbirths per year in Africa alone.
6) One of the most deadly sexually transmitted infections is the human papilloma virus (HPV). Virtually all cervical cancer cases are linked to genital infection with the virus. Cancer of the cervix is the second most common cancer in women, with about 500 000 new cases and 250 000 deaths each year. The new vaccine that prevents the infection could reduce these cervical cancer-related deaths.
7) When used properly and consistently, condoms are one of the most effective methods of protection against STIs, including HIV infection. Although the female condom is effective and safe, it is not as widely used in national programmes because of its higher cost when compared to male condoms.
8) The partner notification process, which is an integral part of STI care, informs sexual partners of patients about their exposure to infection so that they can seek disease screening and treatment. Partner notification can prevent reinfection and reduce the wider spread of infections.
9) Social or economic conditions, and some sexual behaviours increase a person's vulnerability to STIs. Populations most-at-risk for sexually transmitted infections vary from setting to setting, depending on local culture and practices. Interventions to prevent and care for STIs should be intensified for such populations, while ensuring that services minimize potential stigmatization and discrimination.
10) A global strategy to accelerate prevention and control of STIs was developed by WHO through broad consultation among Member States and partners, and then endorsed by the World Health Assembly in May 2006. To build momentum and effectiveness, the 10-year plan includes technical and advocacy components that can be adapted for use around the world.
1)Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are mostly spread from one infected person to another through sexual intercourse. Some infections may also be transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy and childbirth. Another way that infections are passed on is through the sharing of blood products or tissue transfers. Some diseases caused by STIs include syphilis, AIDS and cervical cancer.
2) STIs often exist without symptoms, particularly in women. Thus, men and women with sexual partners who have STI symptoms should seek care regardless of a lack of signs. Whenever an infection is diagnosed or suspected, effective treatment should be provided promptly to avoid complications
3) STIs disproportionately affect women and adolescent girls. Every year, one in 20 adolescent girls gets a bacterial infection through sexual contact, and the age at which infections are acquired is becoming younger and younger. Improving awareness and knowledge of STIs and how to prevent them among adolescents should be part of all sexual health education and services
4) Sexually transmitted infections are important causes of Fallopian tube damage that lead to infertility in women. Between 10% and 40% of women with untreated chlamydial infections develop symptomatic pelvic inflammatory disease. Post-infection damage of the Fallopian tubes is responsible for 30% to 40% of female infertility cases.
5) In pregnancy, untreated early syphilis is responsible for 1 in 4 stillbirths and 14% of neonatal (newborn) deaths. About 4% to 15% of pregnant women in Africa test positive for syphilis. Interventions to more effectively screen pregnant women for syphilis and prevent mother-to-child transmission of the disease could prevent an estimated 492 000 stillbirths per year in Africa alone.
6) One of the most deadly sexually transmitted infections is the human papilloma virus (HPV). Virtually all cervical cancer cases are linked to genital infection with the virus. Cancer of the cervix is the second most common cancer in women, with about 500 000 new cases and 250 000 deaths each year. The new vaccine that prevents the infection could reduce these cervical cancer-related deaths.
7) When used properly and consistently, condoms are one of the most effective methods of protection against STIs, including HIV infection. Although the female condom is effective and safe, it is not as widely used in national programmes because of its higher cost when compared to male condoms.
8) The partner notification process, which is an integral part of STI care, informs sexual partners of patients about their exposure to infection so that they can seek disease screening and treatment. Partner notification can prevent reinfection and reduce the wider spread of infections.
9) Social or economic conditions, and some sexual behaviours increase a person's vulnerability to STIs. Populations most-at-risk for sexually transmitted infections vary from setting to setting, depending on local culture and practices. Interventions to prevent and care for STIs should be intensified for such populations, while ensuring that services minimize potential stigmatization and discrimination.
10) A global strategy to accelerate prevention and control of STIs was developed by WHO through broad consultation among Member States and partners, and then endorsed by the World Health Assembly in May 2006. To build momentum and effectiveness, the 10-year plan includes technical and advocacy components that can be adapted for use around the world.
Statistics; ESTIMATED NEW CASES OF CURABLE STI AMONG ADULTS | |
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Statistics; ESTIMATED PREVALENCE OF CURABLE STI AMONG ADULTS, | |
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Read and article from the Sydney Morning Herald
'STI Rates Skyrocketing'
http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/diet-and-fitness/sexually-transmitted-disease-rates-skyrocketing-20100528-wip5.html
How Choices Now Could Affect Your Future Health
STI's
If you believe that you have some of these symptoms, consult your local GP or Health Councilor before it is too late. Even Universities will often have medical centres. Make use of your one too.
If you and your partner are to have unprotected sex, make sure that you are both tested negative of STI's, so that the both of you safe of any instances in the future.
Try to have protected sex as much as possible and make sure that you don't have sex with many different people as that is much less safe than having sex with your partner.
For more details on STI's, use these websites below
If you and your partner are to have unprotected sex, make sure that you are both tested negative of STI's, so that the both of you safe of any instances in the future.
Try to have protected sex as much as possible and make sure that you don't have sex with many different people as that is much less safe than having sex with your partner.
For more details on STI's, use these websites below
- Australian Government
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre
- World Health Organisation
- Reach Out.com