Sexually Transmitted Infections

What do you know???? What age group is at highest risk of getting an STD/STI?

What do you know???? What makes someone more at risk for contracting an STD/STI?

What do you know???? Where can someone go for testing and treatment of an STI/STD?

Sexually Transmitted Infections STI’s (Sexually Transmitted Infections) An infection acquired through sexual contact. –Each year, approximately 19 MILLION new STD infections occur in the United States. Almost half of them occur in young people under the age of 25.

What STI’s have you heard of??????

Most Common BACTERIA: Curable Chlamydia Gonorrhea Syphilis VIRUS: Not curable; Can be treated. Oral & Genital Herpes Viral Hepatitis (A,B,C & D Type Viruses) HIV & AIDS Genital Warts

1 in 4 Sexually Active Youth has an STD.

1 in 2 Sexually Active Persons will contract an STD by age 25.

STI Transmission STIs are contracted through: –Oral Intercourse –Anal Intercourse –Vaginal Intercourse

HIV and AIDS HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. HIV attacks the part of your body that fights disease (the immune system). Sometimes there are no signs of HIV at first. You can't tell if you have HIV until you get a blood test. Also, many people with HIV look healthy and can transmit HIV. Signs & Symptoms may not be present for many years.

AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) was first reported in the United States in AIDS is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), a virus that destroys the body's ability to fight off infection. People who have AIDS are very susceptible to many life-threatening diseases, called opportunistic infections, and to certain forms of cancer. Transmission of the virus primarily occurs during unprotected sexual activity and by sharing needles used to inject intravenous drugs.

HIV and AIDS Signs and Symptoms: Flu like symptoms; weight loss; fatigue; white spots in the mouth; yeast infections that won’t go away.

HIV and AIDS You CANNOT get HIV from: Hugging, kissing, talking to or touching a person with HIV. An insect bite (like from a mosquito). Casual contact (like sharing sharing food and drink, using a public restroom, or swimming together).

Chlamydia A common STD caused by a bacteria. Chlamydia is the most frequently reported bacterial STD in the United States. Chlamydia can be transmitted during vaginal, oral, or anal sexual contact with an infected partner. A pregnant woman may pass the infection to her newborn during delivery.

Chlamydia: Signs, Symptoms & Treatment Even though symptoms of chlamydia are usually mild or absent, it can damage a woman's reproductive organs and cause serious complications. Irreversible damage, including infertility, can occur "silently" before a woman ever recognizes a problem. Chlamydia can also cause discharge from the penis of an infected man, although complications among men are rare. Chlamydia can be easily treated and cured with antibiotics.

Genital Herpes A viral infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV 2). HSV-2 can be found in and released from the sores that the viruses cause, but they also are released between outbreaks from skin that does not appear to have a sore. Generally, a person can only get HSV-2 infection during sexual contact with someone who has a genital HSV-2 infection.

Genital Herpes Signs, Symptoms & Treatment Symptoms: Cold sores or blisters; itching or burning in the genitals of mouth; flu like symptoms.

Genital Herpes Signs, Symptoms & Treatment Transmission can occur from an infected partner who does not have a visible sore and may not know that he or she is infected. There is no treatment that can cure herpes, but antiviral medications can shorten and prevent outbreaks during the period of time the person takes the medication.

HPV (Human papillomavirus) The most common STD. There are more than 40 HPV types that can infect the genital areas of males and females. These HPV types can also infect the mouth and throat. HPV can cause genital warts, the most recognizable sign of genital HPV infection. Other high-risk types of HPV cause cervical cancer and other genital cancers. HPV is passed on through genital contact, most often during vaginal and anal sex. HPV may also be passed on during oral sex and genital-to-genital contact.

HPV (Human papillomavirus) Signs and Symptoms: Abnormal Pap smear with dysplasic cells; pink, red or skin colored bumps (flat or bumpy; single or multiple.)

HPV: Signs, Symptoms & Treatment Most people with HPV do not develop symptoms or health problems. In 90 percent of cases, the body's immune system clears the HPV infection naturally within 2 years. Vaccines can protect males and females against some of the most common types of HPV. These vaccines are given in three shots. It is important to get all three doses to get the best protection. The vaccines are most effective when given before a person's first sexual contact, when he or she could be exposed to HPV.

Gonorrhea: Symptoms Caused by a bacteria. The most common symptoms of infection are a discharge from the vagina or penis and painful or difficult urination. The most common and serious complications occur in women and, as with chlamydial infection, these complications include pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), ectopic pregnancy, and infertility.pelvic inflammatory disease (PID),

Gonorrhea: Complications and Treatment Gonorrhea can grow in the cervix (opening to the womb), uterus (womb), and fallopian tubes (egg canals) in women and in the urethra (urine canal) in women and men. The bacterium can also grow in the mouth, throat, eyes, and anus. It can be life-threatening if it spreads to the blood or joints. In addition, people with gonorrhea can more easily contract HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. HIV-infected people with gonorrhea are more likely to transmit HIV to someone else. Several antibiotics can successfully cure gonorrhea in adolescents and adults.

Syphilis Caused by a bacteria. Syphilis is passed from person to person through direct contact with syphilis sores. The initial symptom is a chancre (genital sore); it is usually a painless open sore that most often appears on the penis or around or in the vagina. It can also occur near the mouth, anus, or on the hands. Transmission of the organism occurs during vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Pregnant women with the disease can pass it to the babies they are carrying. Pregnant women

Syphilis If untreated, syphilis may go on to more advanced stages, including a transient rash, and eventually can cause serious involvement of the brain, nerves, eyes, heart, blood vessels, liver, bones, and joints. The full course of the disease can take years. Chancres caused by syphilis make it easier to transmit and acquire HIV infection sexually. Penicillin remains the most effective drug to treat people with syphilis. For people who are allergic to penicillin, other antibiotics are available to treat syphilis.

Myth vs. Fact

Signs and Symptoms Females MOST STDs have NO symptoms Discharge from vagina (yellow, greenish or gray) Bleeding from vagina between periods Burning/pain when you urinate or have a bowel movement Pain in abdomen Small bumpy warts Itching/burning Small painful blisters Unexplained weight loss Flu-like symptoms White spots in the mouth

Signs and Symptoms Males Many STDs have NO symptoms Watery, white drip from penis Burning or pain when you urinate or during a bowel movement Need to urinate more often Swollen or tender testicles Small, bumpy warts Small painful blisters Thick yellow or greenish drip from penis Small, bumpy warts Small painful blisters Thick yellow or greenish drip from penis

Which STDs Can I Get Tested For? Chlamydia Gonorrhea Trichomoniasis HPV (if symptomatic) Herpes (if symptomatic) Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) Syphilis HIV Bacterial Vaginosis

Provider Questions A person who seeks STD testing might be asked about the following behaviors: Number of sexual partners Types of sexual behaviors (oral, anal, or vaginal intercourse) Pregnancy prevention practices STD prevention practices STD history (individual and partner)

REDUCING THE RISK! There are lots of ways to reduce the risk of getting a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Of course, the best way to avoid STIs and unwanted pregnancy is not to have sex (ABSTINENCE). For those who do choose to become sexually active, though, there are ways they can help reduce your risk of contracting an STI.

REDUCING THE RISK! Communicate Get Tested Limit Sexual Partners Learn about Vaccines Avoid Alcohol & Drugs

REDUCING THE RISK! Abstinence is the only 100% method of preventionAbstinence is the only 100% method of prevention Condoms work really well in stopping most STIs from being passed from an infected partner to another when they are used consistently and correctly every time a person has oral, vaginal or anal sex. Consistently and correctly means that a person makes sure they use a condom every time they have oral, vaginal or anal sex and put it on and use it the right way.Condomscondomuse it the right way

STD Testing The Watauga County Health Department offers STI testing.