1. Sexually Transmitted Infections
Chapter Fifteen
Sexually Transmitted Infections 1

2. Sexually Transmitted Infections
More than 25 sexually transmitted infectious organisms can be passed from person to person through sexual activities
Bacterial STIs are often curable
Viral STIs are not curable

3. The STI Epidemic
STIs are the most common infections reported in the U.S.
STIs comprise 87% of the cases of infectious diseases reported to CDC
U.S. has the highest STI rates among industrialized nations
By age 24, 1 in 3 sexually active people has had an STI
Incidence
Prevalence

4. Who Is Affected: Disparities Among Groups
Gender disparities
Age disparities
Racial and ethnic disparities

5. Behavioral Factors Contributing to STI Transmission
Early initiation of intimate sexual activity
Numerous sex partners
High-risk sex partners
High risk sexual behavior
Inconsistent and incorrect condom use
Substance abuse
Sexual coercion
Lack of knowledge of and concern about STIs 3

6. Social Factors Contributing to STI Transmission
Poverty and marginalization
Access to health care
Secrecy and moral conflict about sexuality

7. Biological Factors Contributing to STI Transmission
Asymptomatic nature
Resistance to treatment or lack of a cure
Other: douching, immature cervix, uncircumcised penis

8. Consequences of STIs Women, men, and infants affected
Presence of STIs increases HIV risk
Untreated STIs have serious consequences
Infertility/ sterility
Untreated Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) causes 15% of women’s infertility
Ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage
Blindness
Cancer, heart disease

9. Principal Bacterial STIs
Chlamydia
Responsible for 80% of women’s tubal infertility
Infects 2.8 million Americans each year
Gonorrhea
700,000 Americans contract gonorrhea each year
Can cause sterility in both men and women
Syphilis
Infection has stages that indicate progression of infection
Can lead to brain damage and death in newborns
Urinary tract infections
Caused by several different bacteria 4

10. Sexually Transmitted Infections
Bacterial STIs are often curable
Viral STIs are not curable

11. Principal Viral STIs Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
20 million carriers, 5.5 million new cases yearly
Treatment and vaccine
Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV)
45 million Americans infected
Managing symptoms
Hepatitis A, B, C
Viral disease of liver
One third of Americans show evidence of past infection

12. Other Infections Bacterial vaginosis Candidiasis: Yeast Infections
Caused by overabundance of Gardnerella bacteria
Treat with antibiotics
Candidiasis: Yeast Infections
Many factors contribute to infection
Men and women can carry the organism
Trichomoniasis
Most common curable STI in young women 5

13. Other STIs Chancroid Cytomegalovirus Enteric infections
Granuloma inguinale
Lymphogranuloma venereum
Molluscum contagiosum 7

14. Parasites Pubic lice: Phthirus pubis; commonly known as crabs
Scabies: mite Sarcoptes scabiei
Both can be transmitted non-sexually via clothes, towels, bedding 6

15. STIs and Women Women’s anatomy increases susceptibility
Pelvic inflammatory disease - PID
Infection of fallopian tubes spreads
One of the leading causes of female infertility
Caused by some types of STI bacteria
Cystitis: bladder infection
Often related to sexual activity; not an STI
Can create pain and damage kidneys 8

16. Avoiding STIs Practice abstinence Practice sexual exclusivity
Reduce risk during sexual activity
Select partners carefully
Avoid multiple partners
Avoid injecting drugs
Get vaccinated
Protect babies
Be a good communicator 9

17. Treating STIs Recognize STI symptoms Seek treatment
Get partners to treatment

18. Summary STIs are epidemic STIs are linked to behavior Principle STIs
STIs and women
Preventing STIs