STD's

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STD's - SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES

Sexually transmitted diseases (STD’s) are caused by bacteria, viruses or parasites, which are usually transmitted by sexual activity with an infected person. These include HIV or AIDS, chlamydia, gonorrhea, genital herpes, genital warts, syphilis, pubic lice & others. With the exception of some diseases caused by viruses (Herpes, hepatitis and HIV) many STD’s can be successfully treated and cured. STD’s are spread through contact with infected body fluids like, blood, vaginal secretions, or semen. Also by contact with infected skin or mucus membranes including oral sores. Unprotected sex or the sharing of needles for drugs, ear piercing or tattooing is responsible for the vast majority of cases.

The key word in successful treatment is prompt. If not treated promptly, many STD’s can progress to extremely serious conditions like:

Brain Damage

Heart Disease

Birth Defects

Increased Risk for some types of Cancer Death

How do you know if you might have an STD?

MALES	FEMALES
Discharge from Penis	Unusual Vaginal Discharge
Burning during Urination	Intense Vaginal Itching
Sores(s) on or around the Penis or Anus	Cramping not related to your Menstrual Cycle
Intense itching in the Pubic Area	Sores in or around Vagina or Anus
These signs & symptoms are danger signals, but you can be infected without knowing it. If you suspect that you or your sexual partner has been exposed to an STD, see your doctor or local Health Department immediately. Home remedies don’t work!

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) And Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
What is AIDS?
AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) is a disease, which is caused by a virus called HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). It weakens the body’s ability to protect itself from other bacteria and viruses. HIV is found mainly in the blood of infected persons, but is also found in other body fluids like vaginal secretions, semen and breast milk. Small amounts can be found in saliva and urine.
Who can get HIV/AIDS?
People who have unprotected sex or who share needles with individuals who are infected with HIV are at high risk for infection. The virus can also be passed from a pregnant mother to her unborn child or during breast-feeding.
How is HIV spread?
HIV is most often spread through unprotected vaginal, oral and anal sex and through contaminated needles. HIV is not spread by donating blood, coughing, sneezing, sharing glasses or dishes or from touching door knobs or the handle on a toilet. Bug bites do not spread HIV.
What are the symptoms and when do they appear?
People with HIV infections may show no symptoms at all for years. It is not possible to tell if someone is infected with HIV by looking at them. If the HIV infection develops into AIDS then the person may develop any of the following symptoms of a serious infectious disease
	Swollen Lymph Nodes
	Extreme Fatigue
	Prolonged Diarrhea (3 or more weeks )
	Marked Weight Loss
	Fevers (that last several weeks)
	Dizziness Confused Thinking

How can HIV infection be diagnosed?
A blood test to SCREEN for antibodies to HIV is run to see if the infection is possibly present. If this test is positive then a different blood test must be done to CONFIRM that the infection is present. A positive screening test, by itself, does not mean that you have an HIV infection. The confirmation test must be run before the diagnosis is made.
Can HIV/AIDS be treated?
There are several new and effective treatments for the symptoms of HIV/AIDS and new drugs are being tested every day. At this time there is no permanent cure for HIV/AIDS, but results are getting better all the time.
Chlamydia Infection
What is Chlamydia?
Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease caused by a bacteria called Chlamydia trachomatis. It is the single most common STD in the United States causing more than 4 million new cases every year.
Who can get Chlamydia?
Anyone who has unprotected sex with an infected person can get Chlamydia.
How is Chlamydia spread?
It is passed directly person to person during unprotected sex. It can be passed through vaginal, oral or anal sex. Ejaculation is not required for a male to transmit Chlamydia to his partner. Chlamydia is not spread by bedding, door knobs, kissing, toilet seats, swimming pools, hot tubs or sharing clothing.
What are the symptoms of Chlamydia?
MALES	FEMALES
80% of males experience a slight to moderate burning sensation during urination and/or a whitish runny, discharge from the penis. 20% may show no symptoms at all and yet are quite infectious.	20-30% of women may also experience a mild burning sensation during urination or a slight discharge from the cervix, but 70% show no symptoms. Unfortunately, untreated Chlamydia can progress into PID or Pelvic Inflammatory Disease. This can lead to sterility or ectopic pregnancy.
When do symptoms of Chlamydia appear.
If symptoms appear, it is usually two weeks after contact with the infected source. Persons infected with Chlamydia can continue to infect others for as long as they carry the disease, even years.
How is Chlamydia Diagnosed?
The diagnosis of Chlamydia requires a physical examination and laboratory tests to detect the bacteria.
Can Chlamydia be treated?
Chlamydia can be successfully treated with certain special antibiotics, however a person may still spread Chlamydia for several days after treatment is started.
Herpes
What is Herpes?
Herpes simplex is a virus, which can cause cold sores or oral herpes as well as genital herpes. Genital herpes is most often caused by the type 2 virus while cold sores are most often caused by type 1.
Who can get Herpes?
Anyone who has unprotected sex with an infected partner can get herpes. Although condoms may help, they are not guaranteed to prevent the spread of Herpes.
How is Herpes spread?
Herpes is spread by direct skin to skin contact during vaginal, anal or oral sex. The virus can be spread whenever it is present on the skin. It is possible to catch herpes from someone who does not have the typical blisters or lesions because the virus is present on the skin just prior to outbreaks. Herpes can penetrate very small breaks in the skin anywhere on the body and produce outbreaks of blisters in areas other than the genitals. Babies can be infected, by their mothers, if they are born just prior to or during an outbreak. The virus does not survive on toilet seats or in hot tubs or swimming pools.
What are the symptoms?
An outbreak of Herpes begins with a mild tingling sensation that becomes more intense. Pain and soreness in the legs, buttocks or genital area may signal the beginning of an outbreak. Small red bumps appear which turn into small blisters. These blisters progress to open sores, which eventually form a scab and heal over. Outbreaks are often accompanied by swollen lymph nodes, fever, headaches, nausea and painful urination. The pain may be severe or in some people, so mild as to be unnoticed.
How long do symptoms take to appear?
The first outbreak is generally 2-10 days following infection. This outbreak may last 2-3 weeks and the symptoms will temporarily go away. The length of time between outbreaks is variable for different people, but the virus never completely goes away. The length of time between outbreaks tends to get longer over the years for most people.
How is Herpes diagnosed?
A physicians physical examination and laboratory tests are needed to definitively diagnose Herpes.
How do you treat Herpes?
The pain and the length of outbreaks can be partially controlled with several medications, but there is as yet no permanent cure for Herpes.
Syphilis
What is Syphilis?
Syphillis is a STD caused by a bacteria or spirochete called Treponema pallidum. It is an ancient disease which has been around for thousands of years. There are more than 100,000 new cases of syphilis every year.
Who can get Syphilis?
Syphilis is passed from person to person. It can be passed during unprotected sex or kissing anytime there are lesions on or around the vagina, penis, anus or mouth. Babies can become infected during birth if the mother has Syphilis.
What are the symptoms of Syphilis?
Syphilis goes through stages. The first stage is the appearance of a chancre or sore. It is generally round and firm and is painless. It appears at the point of infection and can be located in or around the vagina, anus, penis or lips and mouth and occasionally the hands. The chancre lasts from 2-4 weeks and heals by itself. In the second stage of Syphilis rashes may appear on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, around the genital area or all over the body. Syphilis is called the “great pretender” because it can look like other diseases. Symptoms can include any or all of the following: fever, swollen lymph nodes, hair loss, sore throat, muscle aches and extreme tiredness. The rash may last from 2-6 weeks and then disappear, but 25% of people will experience another set of second stage symptoms within a year. If the disease is not treated it goes on to a further stage. The tertiary stage of Syphilis evolves slowly and may not show up again for years. During this time the bacteria is gradually infecting and damaging every organ in the body and will eventually cause death. Serious damage to the brain, heart and nervous system is very common prior to death.
How soon do symptoms appear?
Symptoms appear generally in 2-3 weeks, but may take as long as 3 months before showing up.
How is Syphilis diagnosed?
The diagnosis of Syphilis requires a physician’s examination and laboratory blood tests.
How do you treat Syphilis?
Syphilis is treated very successfully with antibiotics, however re-infection often occurs because other infected sex partners fail to get treatment at the same time. If you have been diagnosed with any STD it is extremely important that all of your other sex partners be tested and treated.

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