Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDS)

STDs in General: A Summary

Signs and Symptoms

See a Medical Professional if These Symptoms are Present IN WOMEN: WOMEN:  Unusual discharge or odor from the vagina  Burning or itching around the vagina  Bleeding from vagina not associated with period  Pelvic pain during sexual intercourse  Persistent unexplained pain in pelvic area IN MEN: MEN:  Pus or other discharge from the penis

Signs and Symptoms

IN BOTH WOMEN AND MEN: MEN:  Sores, bumps or blisters on or near the sex organs, mouth or anus  Burning or pain during urination or bowel movement  Flu-like symptoms, with fever, chills, Flubody aches

Key Points to Remember

Many STDS have no signs or symptoms  At times, symptoms may go away even though the STD is still present  You may believe your medical provider is checking you for STDs during a regular physical, when, in fact they are not. During most visits you will need to specifically ask for these tests and discuss your risk with your provider.


Transmission
Most STDs are spread by:  Vaginal sex  Oral sex  Anal sex  Sharing needles when injecting drugs, performing body piercing, or tattooing  Infected mother to newborn

Complications / Consequences
If left untreated, some STDs can:  Be serious and painful  Cause permanent damage to reproductive organs  Lead to infertility in both men and women  Spread to other sex partners or needle sharing partners  Infect newborns possibly leading to serious complications or even death of the infant  Cause heart disease, blindness, arthritis, brain damage, or death  Many STDs increase susceptibility to HIV/AIDS

Prevention
Recommendations to Reduce the Spread of STDs

ABSTAIN! ABSTAIN!
 Total

abstinence / avoidance of vaginal, oral or anal sex is the best way of preventing most STDs

Prevention
Recommendations to Reduce the Spread of STDs

 Latex

condoms, when used consistently and correctly, are highly correctly, effective in preventing transmission of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. In addition, correct and consistent use of latex condoms can reduce the risk of other STDs  ABSTINENCE IS STILL BEST!

Prevention
Recommendations to Reduce the Spread of STDs

Genital ulcer diseases and HPV infections can occur in genital areas that are not covered or protected by a latex condom. Latex condoms can reduce the risk of genital herpes, syphilis, chancroid, and HPV infection only when the infected areas are covered or protected by the condom.  Reducing your risk of HPV also reduces your risk of cervical cancer.


Prevention
Recommendations to Reduce the Spread of STDs

Use a latex condom for oral sex on a penis  Use a latex barrier for oral sex on a vagina or anus (dental dam or a condom cut in half lengthwise)  Use condoms even if your partner claims he or she does not have a STD. Many people dont know they have it, and others wont openly discuss their sexual history.  ABSTINENCE IS STILL BEST!


Prevention
Recommendations to Reduce the Spread of STDs

 NEVER

have sex with someone you suspect may have a STD  Limit your number of sexual partners  See a medical professional immediately if you suspect you have been exposed to a STD  HAVE WE MENTIONED ABSTINENCE?

Prevention
Recommendations to Reduce the Spread of STDs


Notify all sexual partners immediately if you are diagnosed with a STD to prevent the transmission to others Many STDs are required to be reported to the Health Department by the medical provider (without your consent) Advise all sex partners that they should also be tested and receive treatment If sexually active, have regular STD checks (ideally twice per year, or at least annually) Use of a female condom is another option for protection during vaginal sex

TREATMENT
If You Suspect you have been exposed to a STD:  See a medical provider for examination, tests and treatment as soon as possible  Follow treatment recommendations exactly, as many STDs are curable with medications  Dont use home remedies THEY DONT WORK  With most STDS, partners must also be treated

TESTING
IN L.U. HEALTH CENTER  EXAM FREE EXAM FEE PLUS  STD SCREEN $35  STD + PAP $55  HIV $15  GEN. WART $5  HERPES $30$30-$50 OFFOFF-CAMPUS  EXAM $100$100-$150 EXAM FEE PLUS  STD SCREEN $140  STD + PAP $180  HIV $70  GEN. WART $200  HERPES $140

STATISTICS
 More

than half of all people will have an STD at some point in their lifetime  Less than half of adults ages 18-44 18have ever been tested for an STD  Each year one in four teens contracts an STD

STATISTICS
 One

in two sexually active persons will contract an STD by age 25  About half of all new STDs in 2000 occurred among ages 15 to 24

LAMAR STATISTICS
Academic Year 05 06 Less than 6% of visits to Student Health Center were for STD screens

LAMAR STATISTICS
Of the 564 STD screens performed in academic years 05-06, 86 (15%) were 05positive as follows:  Syphilis 0  Chlamydia 37  Gonorrhea 17  HPV 18  Herpes 14  HIV 0

LAMAR STATISTICS
During academic year 05 06: 06:
 364

Pap Smears were performed  39 of these (11%) were abnormal  Most of these abnormal Paps are probably due to HPV

SOME OF THE MORE COMMON STDS

CHLAMYDIA


  

CURABLE with appropriate medication taken exactly as directed Symptoms begin 7 21 days after exposure Many people have no symptoms Left untreated, chlamydia can lead to ectopic (tubal) pregnancy, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), infertility in both men and women In pregnancy, can be passed to newborn and cause eye infection and pneumonia; or lead to premature delivery or low birth weight

CHLAMYDIA STATISTICS
There are almost 3 million new cases of chlamydia each year  The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that sexually active females 25 and under be screened at least once per year, even if no symptoms are present  In 2003 only 30-45% of women under 25 30were screened for chlamydia


Genital Herpes
NO CURE  Symptoms develop 2 30 days after exposure, or not at all  Small painful fluid filled blisters on sex organs, mouth, or anus; or hidden inside vagina  Initial infection may be accompanied by fever, swollen glands, headache  Blisters go away but infection still present  Blisters usually return periodically-may be periodicallypreceded by burning or itching


GENITAL HERPES
Transmission by:  Vaginal sex, oral sex, anal sex  Contact with infected persons lesions  Infected mother to newborn  Viral shedding may occur in absence of lesions so transmission is still possible even when there are no blisters  In fact, most transmission occurs in absence of sores

GENITAL HERPES
In pregnancy:  Newborn may acquire infection from mother during delivery  Infection in newborn may cause death or severe damage to brain, lungs, liver

GENITAL HERPES
Treatment:  NO CURE. Infection persists for life  Recurrent episodes of blisters can sometimes be prevented by taking a daily antiviral medication  Can still be transmitted to others while taking antiviral even when no blisters present  Increases susceptibility to HIV

HERPES STATISTICS
 In

1997, it was estimated that as many as one in four Americans have genital herpes  Up to 90% of these are unaware they have it  Estimates suggest that by 2025 up to 40% of all men and half of all women could be infected

GENITAL WARTS / HPV (Human Papillomavirus)

 NO

CURE  Most people have no symptoms  Symptoms may develop weeks or months after exposure or not at all  Soft fleshy lumps on or near sex organs or anus  Warts may be hidden inside  May be spread to others even when no warts are present

GENITAL WARTS / HPV (Human Papillomavirus)

If left untreated, can:  Be passed to newborn during childbirth; can cause warts in infants throat  Spread to other sex partners  Some strains lead to abnormal Pap Smear, increased risk of cervical, or penile cancer  Sexually active women should have annual Pap Smear!

GENITAL WARTS / HPV (Human Papillomavirus)

Treatment:  Warts may go away with treatment but infection is still there  Requires special treatment by a medical professional  Drugstore treatment for other kinds of warts not helpful, and could be harmful  The body may eventually clear the virus on its own

HPV STATISTICS
 Over

6 million people acquire HPV each year  By age 50, at least 80% of women will have acquired genital HPV  Most people do not develop symptoms but can still transmit it to others  Cervical cancer is linked to HPV

GONORRHEA (Clap)
CURABLE with proper medication  Symptoms may be mild or absent, especially in women  Symptoms (if present) usually begin 2 7 days after exposure  Partners should be treated at same time  A person can be reinfected after treatment  May cause serious eye infection in newborn


SYPHILIS
1ST STAGE  Symptoms appear 1 12 weeks after exposure  A painless open sore on mouth, sex organs, or anus  Sores can be hidden inside, may last 1 5 weeks  Sores go away but infection still in blood

SYPHILIS
2nd STAGE  6 weeks to 6 months after sore  Unusual rash anywhere on body  Flu-like symptoms Flu3rd STAGE (Latent)  No sores or rash but infection still in blood and can effect the heart, brain, and other organs over time (Heart disease, blindness, brain damage)

SYPHILIS
During pregnancy:  Stillbirths  Birth defects  Severe damage to bones, brain, lungs, liver and other organs in infected infants

SYPHILIS
TREATMENT  CURABLE with proper medication  Partners should be treated at same time  A person can be reinfected after treatment

TRICHOMONIASIS (TRICK)
Caused by a protozoan parasite  Unusual vaginal or penile discharge  Pain during sexual intercourse  In pregnancy: Premature delivery, eye infection in newborn  Increases susceptibility to HIV  Can lead to infertility in women and men  CURABLE with proper treatment  Partners should be treated at same time


OTHER STDS
Vaginitis: Yeast, Trick, Bacterial  Hepatitis B (HBV): One out of 20 people in U.S. will become infected at some point. HBV is 100 times more infectious than HIV. Approximately half of HBV infections are transmitted sexually  Pubic Lice (Crabs)  Chancroid  HIV infection and AIDS


FOR MORE INFORMATION

The Centers for Disease Control www.cdc.gov  Minnesota Department of Health has a great site with detailed information in a simple format www.health.state.mn.us  Healthline http://www.healthline.com  American Social health Association http://www.ashastd.org/learn/learn_overv iew.cfm  Texas Department of State Health Services http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/hivstd/info/d efault.shtm


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