Sexually Transmitted Infections PDCP GRADE 10

Unprotected includes oral sex as well as intercourse. What is an STI?? An STI is a sexually transmitted infection that is contracted through unprotected sex. Unprotected includes oral sex as well as intercourse.

STI’s can become very dangerous if ignored. Need to realize that… You can contract some STI’s more than once and you can have more than one STI at a time. STI’s can become very dangerous if ignored.

How is it Transmitted? Germs cause STI’s. These include bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. Germs require certain things in order to grow and multiply These include warmth, darkness, moisture, mucous lining, and a good blood supply

Types of STI’S Pubic Lice (Crabs) Chlamydia Gonorrhea Syphilis Herpes AIDS/HIV HPV (genital warts)

Pubic Lice (Crabs)

What are pubic lice? Tiny crab-like insects that nest in pubic hair.  They bury their heads into the skin and live off human blood, laying their egg sacks (nits) near the base of the pubic hairs. A substance they secrete into the skin can cause intense itching, and the bites of adult lice turn small patches of skin to a bluish-grey colour. Unlike head lice, pubic lice have small, wide bodies and arms that resemble crabs. These lice can also be found in chest, armpit and facial hair, eyebrows and eyelashes.

How do crabs/lice spread? Pubic lice can be spread during intimate contact. They do this by crawling from one person to another, since they have no wings. Pubic lice also can live for one to two days in bedding, towels and clothing belonging to an infected individual, and these items can be a source of transmission. It is most common among sexually active people and in situations where individuals are in close contact.

Symptoms Skin irritation and inflammation accompanied by itchiness and redness. Small blue spots on the skin where lice have bitten. Louse feces , fine black particles, in the infected person’s undergarments.

Treatment Non-prescription shampoo that can be purchased at a pharmacy, clinic or doctor’s office. Usually one wash is all it takes. A fine-toothed comb or the fingernails can be used to scrape the eggs off the hairs. Clothes, bedding, and other possible contaminated items should be washed in hot water or dry cleaned, or bagged for a week. Items that cannot be washed or bagged should be vacuumed. Shaving may not necessarily get rid of the problem. **It will not go away on it’s own.

Chlamydia

Figure 1 - Chlamydia, NB Incidence rate by gender and year, 2000-2009

Chlamydia Greatest number affected with Chlamydia are people 15-29 years old. Sometimes, the symptoms are so mild that a person may not notice them. Symptoms may occur from 2 – 6 weeks after initial exposure.

Chlamydia: What to look for Females: -a new or different discharge from the vagina -a burning feeling when urinating -pain in the lower abdomen - fever and chills -pain during sex -vaginal bleeding between periods -vaginal bleeding after intercourse

Chlamydia: What to look for Males: -a watery or milky drip from the penis -an itchy feeling inside the penis -a burning feeling when urinating -pain or swelling in the testicles - Infection of the anus

Swollen/tender testicles

Testing You will need to go to your doctor’s office and ask for testing to be done for Chlamydia. Urine test conducted at your doctor’s office. Also, a swab will be done on your throat, anus, penis or vagina.

Treatment Chlamydia can be cured Treated with an antibiotic taken by mouth. Unfortunately, the disease is often missed because it frequently presents no symptoms. Effects if untreated: Women: Sterility due to pelvic inflammatory disease. Passing the infection on to their child during childbirth. Men: Infection of the urethra causing low sperm count and/or sterility.

Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea Second most common STI 2/3 of reported cases in Canada are men. Can affect the cervix, urethra, rectum, throat, and occasionally the eyes.

Gonorrhea Symptoms include burning sensation during urination, and thick yellow discharge for both men/women It may take 2-21 days after sex to notice symptoms

Urethral Discharge from Gonorrhea

Vaginal Discharge from Gonorrhea

Effects/Treatment Individuals with gonorrhea are at an increased risk for contracting HIV. EFFECTS Men & Women: Infertility & Infection in the bloodstream, joint & skin problems. TREATMENT Various oral anti-biotics as there are several strains of gonorrhea requiring various treatments.

Syphilis

Syphilis An infection sometimes called the great imitator because symptoms are similar to some common medical conditions. Infectious in the first year after contraction. This disease was rare in Canada, but is now becoming more common, with a definite increase in Atlantic Canada.

1st Stage SIGNS & SYMPTOMS 3 Stages of Syphilis 1st Stage SIGNS & SYMPTOMS 3 days – 90 days after contracting A chancre (sore or ulcer) will appear where the infection entered the body. A chancre is firm, round and small. It is painless and my go unnoticed. A chancre can heal without treatment, but the disease will still progress to stage 2.

Stage 1 - Syphilis

Chancre on a Vagina Can be internal or external

Develop 2 – 6 months after exposure. 3 stages of Syphilis Stage 2 SIGNS & SYMPTOMS Develop 2 – 6 months after exposure. The chancre may still be present or may be healed. A rash may appear as rough, with reddish brown spots. Other symptoms: fever, sore throat, patchy hair loss, weight loss, muscle or joint aches. Other signs are hair loss, fever, sore throat, headaches, weight loss, muscle aches, being overly tired and swollen lymph glands.

2nd Stage - Syphilis

3 stages of Syphilis 3rd Stage 2nd stage symptoms subside (go away). Disease can now damage organs like the heart, liver, brain, nerves, eyes, blood vessels, bones, and joints. Over time, it can cause paralysis, numbness, gradual blindness, dementia, and even death.

HERPES

Before we discuss Herpes… Two types of Herpes: HSV1 & HSV2 HSV1 – Commonly referred to as cold sores. Contagious, but is not contracted through sexual activity. HSV2 – Genital Herpes Contagious, and is contracted through sexual activity. Can occur on the lips, mouth, genital or anal areas. A person can be infected with both HSV1 & HSV2 at the same time.

Herpes Herpes is a virus. Many people who've been infected with HSV never know they have the disease. For some people – symptoms are very mild and go unnoticed. For some people – symptoms are severe and painful. HSV-1 can cause genital herpes, but it more commonly causes infections of the mouth and lips, so-called "fever blisters." HSV-1 infection of the genitals can be caused by oral-genital or genital-genital contact with a person who has HSV-1 infection. HSV-1 and 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 be broken or 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. Transmission can occur from an infected partner who does not have a visible sore and may not know that he or she is infected

Herpes – Signs and Symptoms Pain or itching around your genital area, buttocks or inner thighs 2 - 20 days after exposure Several days later-small red bumps appear They blister and rupture, becoming ulcers that ooze or bleed 3-4 days later they form scabs that later heal THIS DOES NOT MEAN THE VIRUS IS GONE!!

In women, sores can erupt in the vaginal area, external genitals, buttocks, anus or cervix. In men, sores can appear on the penis, scrotum, buttocks, anus or thighs or inside the urethra, the channel between the bladder and the penis.

How do genital herpes spread? Direct skin to skin contact Can spread to other parts of the body, including the eyes and from the mouth to the genitals during oral sex when one partner has cold sores.

Treatment There is no cure There are antiviral medications (pills and ointment) available by prescription that will help reduce the number, duration and severity of the ulcers.

Hepatitis B A virus that affects the liver. In up to 50% of people, there are no outward signs of infection. Symptoms can include: Tiredness, nausea, vomiting, a rash and joint pain. 90% of people are able to fight off the infection. Antiviral agents are the best known treatment, but there is no instant cure.

HPV Human Papillomavirus

HPV Vaccine An HPV Vaccine is available for girls to prevent the contraction of HPV which causes cervical cancer. The vaccine fights against those strains of HPV which cause cancer, but does not protect against all forms. If you have received the vaccine, you must still practice safe sex to prevent contracting an STI.

What is HPV? Human Pappillomavirus Transmitted through skin to skin contact Affects cells inside and outside the body These include surfaces of the skin, lining of the mouth, tongue, throat, tonsils, vagina, penis, cervix, and anus. Most common type of HPV is genital warts

HPV (Genital Warts) FEMALE MALE

Genital Warts VERY contagious 66% of people who come in contact with genital warts will become infected Symptoms include itching and burning The cauliflower-like growths are unsightly and embarrassing and associated with a high incidence of depression, sexual dysfunction and disruptions to long-term relationships.

Treatment/ Complications Antibiotics and having warts frozen or burned for removal. Genital warts can re-occur – common even with treatment Definite potential for cervical, vulvar, vaginal, anal, penile and other cancers if left untreated.

HIV/AIDS HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. AIDS > Serious condition that compromises person’s immune system. Person can have virus and be completely healthy Only way to diagnose is through blood test This means that people with AIDS can get many different kinds of diseases which a healthy person's body would normally fight off quite easily. There is no way to tell just by looking at someone whether they are infected with HIV; they may not know themselves that they are infected. The only way to know if a person is infected or not is if they have a blood test.

How is HIV transmitted? Unprotected vaginal, oral or anal sex. Shared needles or other drug equipment Household items such as toothbrushes and razors that have touched infected blood. It CAN NOT be transmitted by insects, saliva, sweat, tears, urine or feces unless blood is present.

AIDS

The bottom line Know the risks Know your partner Do not engage in unprotected sex Realize that having sex “just because someone wants you to or because you feel pressured” has huge consequences. And really…who wants to have to worry about having a sexually transmitted infection?