Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) are painful and can be deadly. They bring psychological harm to relationships, as well as bringing physical pain and anxiety to those infected. STDs also carry with them a stigma that most people find embarrassing and humiliating.
The information presented here, although current and factual, is not intended to replace the medical advice of your health-care provider. If you are concerned about a specific medical condition, consult your physician. For more information on STD's, contact the CDC National STD Hotline at (800)227-8922.

CHLAMYDIA

Chlamydia affects and estimated 2.8 million Americans per year. It is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis, which can damage a woman's reproductive organs. Even though symptoms of chlamydia are usually mild or absent, serious complications that cause irreversible damage, including infertility, can occur "silently" before a woman ever recognizes a problem. It is spread by sexual contact between infected adults and to babies of infected mothers during birth.
The symptoms of this disease differ for men and women. Men may experience discharge from the penis and a burning sensation during urination or have no symptoms at all. Women may have vaginal itching, chronic abdominal pain, and bleeding between menstrual periods. The symptoms can arise two to four weeks after infection, but four out of five women notice no symptoms until after complications have set in. Up to seventy percent of all people with Chlamydia are unaware they are carrying the disease.
There are painless tests for Chlamydia available at a doctor's office. The tests are relatively inexpensive, and the results are available within 24 hours. Chlamydia is usually treated with Tetracycline or Doxycycline, two common antibiotics, and is easily cured. If a woman is being treated for Chlamydia, her sexual partner must also be treated to insure that reinfection will not occur. If the disease remains untreated, it can cause Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). This happens in up to 40 percent of women with untreated chlamydia. PID is a serious illness that can lead to ectopic, or tubal, pregnancies. Women infected with Chlamydia are up to five time more likely to become infected with HIV, if exposed.

Complications among men, although rare, are infection of the epidiymis (a tube that carries sperm from the testis), causing pain, fever, and, rarely, sterility.

Chlamydia is easily treated with antibiotics and testing is performed in doctors offices on urines samples.

The easiest way to avoid transmission of sexually transmitted diseases is to abstain from sexual contact, or to be in a long-term mutally monogamous relationship.

(Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines 2002, Center for Disease Control/STD/Facts/2006)

HERPES

     Herpes is caused by a virus that produces blisters and sores in and on the sex organs. In men, the blisters may appear on the penis, the scrotum, or the anus; in women, the sores may be on the vulva, inside the vagina, on the cervix, or in the anal region. In both men and women, the outbreaks may also occur on the skin anywhere on the body. Herpes blisters are often extremely painful. Before the blisters develop, there may be local pain, tingling, itching, or burning. After the blisters form, they usually break open, leaving small, superficial sores that may vary from as small as an eighth of an inch to more than an inch across. The first Herpes outbreak in a woman can be so painful that she is unable to urinate. Other symptoms include swollen glands, fever, headache, and muscle aches.
     The virus is spread by infected individuals and is highly contagious. An estimated 50 million American adults and adolescents have genital herpes - that's 1 out of every 5 people. It is more common in women that in men. Genital herpes may be contracted through sexual intercourse, but the virus can also be spread by mouth, so herpes sores on the lips may result from kissing or from oral genital contact with an infected person.
     The Herpes virus does not remain in the area where initial contact occurs. It invades the body and finally lodges in nerve cells. When it is causing its typical sores, the virus spreads through the nerves to the genitals or the skin. For this reason, merely treating the area of sores will not prevent a future herpes outbreak. Typically, after an outbreak, the virus retreats to the nervous system and remains inactive until something triggers it to become active again. Some commonly reported triggers include stress, diet, illness, surgery, vigorous sex, and menstruation.
     The initial outbreak of herpes occurs within two weeks of infection and can last for several weeks. Even if it never causes an outbreak, the person carrying the virus is still infectious. Genital herpes can be spread to a newborn during birth if the mother has an active infection.
     There is no cure for genital herpes. However, your doctor can prescribe anti-viral medications that may help the sores heal faster. Over-the-counter painkillers may help with the discomfort. If recurrences of your genital herpes are frequent, your doctor may prescribe an antiviral medication to suppress them.

(Centers for Disease control and Prevention)

HPV INFECTION (Genital Warts)

HPV or Human papillomavirus is the name of a group of viruses that include more than 100 different strains or types. More than 30 of these viruses are sexually transmitted, and they can infect the genital area of men and women including the skin of the penis, vulva, or anus, and the linings of the vagina, cervix, or rectum. Most people who become infected with HPV will not have any symptoms and will clear the infection on their own.

Approximately 20 million people are currently infected with HPV. At least 50 percent of sexually active men and women acqure genital HPV infection at some point in their lives. Some people have symptoms such as genital warts. Others have no symptoms at all. There is no cure for HPV infection. However, the treatments provided are directed to the changes in the skin or mucous membrane caused by HPV infection, such as warts and pre-cancerous changes in the cervix.

All types of HPV can cause mild Pap test abnormalities which do not have serious consequences. Approximately 10 of the 30 identified genital HPV types can lead to development of cervical cancer. Persistent infection with "high risk" types of HPV is the main risk factor for cervical cancer.

The surest way to eliminate the risk for genital HPV infection is to refrain from any genital contact with another individual. For those who choose to be sexually active, a long-term, mutally monogamous relationship with an uninfected partner is he strategy most likely to prevent genital HPV infections.

HPV infection can occur in both male and female genital areas that are covered or protected by a latex condom, as well as in areas that are not covered.

AIDS (HIV)

     Human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, is the virus that causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). The virus weakens a person's ability to fight infections and cancer. People with HIV are said to have AIDS when they develop certain infections or cancers.
     Having HIV does not always mean that you have AIDS. It can take many years for people with the virus to develop AIDS. HIV and AIDS cannot be cured. Although people with AIDS will likely one day due from an AIDS-related illness, there are ways to help people stay healthy and live longer.
     How does HIV/AIDS cause illness? HIV attacks and destroys a type of white blood cell called a CD4 cell. This cell's main function is to fight disease. When a person's CD4 cell count gets low, they are more susceptible to illnesses.
     What is AIDS? AIDS is the final stage of HIV infection. When the immune system CD4 cells drop to a very low level, a person's ability to fight infection is lost. In addition, there are several conditions that occur in people with HIV infection with this degree of immune system failure - these are called AIDS defining illnesses.
     How do people get HIV? A person gets HIV when an infected person's body fluids (blood, semen, vaginal fluids, or breast milk) enter his or her bloodstream. The virus can enter the blood through linings in the mouth, anus, or sex organs, or through broken skin. Both men and women can spread the virus. Pregnant women with HIV can also give the virus to their babies.

     Common ways people get HIV:

Sharing a needle to take drugs
Having unprotected sex with an infected person

How can one know if he or she has AIDS? The only way to know if you have HIV is to take an HIV test. This test looks for signs of HIV in your blood. A small sample of blood is taken from your arm. The blood is sent to a lab for testing. Your test results are kept secret. A negative test means that no signs of HIV were found in your blood.
How can one keep from getting HIV? The best way to protect yourself is to avoid activities that put you at risk. There is no way to tell by looking at someone if he or she has HIV. Always protect yourself.

The best protection to avoid HIV/AIDS is abstinence or a mutually monogamous lifetime relationship. According to a study conducted by the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta, GA, Condoms only prevent HIV/AIDS 85% of the time and then only when they are used properly following a specific 6-step procedure. (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for HIV, STD, and TB Prevention, Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention)

GONORRHEA

Gonorrhea is one of the oldest STDs on record. Gonorrhea is caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae. It is a very common infectious disease spread most often through sexual contact with an infected person. It can also be spread through contact with infected bodily fluids. The disease occurs most often in people who have multiple sex partners. In the U.S. each year, about 650,000 people are infected with gonorrhea. About 75% of all reported cases occur in persons between 15 to 29 years of age.
Not all people infected with gonorrhea have symptoms, so knowing when to seek treatment can be tricky. When symptoms do occur, they can include the following:

Symptoms in women (usually occur within 21 days)

Greenish yellow or whitish vaginal discharge
Lower abdominal or pelvic pain
Burning when urinating
Conjunctivitis (red, itchy eyes)
Bleeding between periods
Spotting after intercourse
Swelling of the vulva
Burning in the throat
Swollen glands

Symptoms in men (usually occur within 2 to 5 days)

Greenish yellow or whitish penile discharge
Burning when urinating
Burning in the throat
Swollen glands

Gonorrhea can be treated and is curable. It can be diagnosed through a fluid sample taken from the urethra for men and from the cervix in women. You may need to wait several days for your lab results. To cure the infection, your doctor will give you either an oral or injectable antibiotic. Your partner should also be treated at the same time to prevent reinfection and further spread of the disease.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases in the world and is contracted by nearly 300,000 Americans each year. Approximately 1 million people in the United States are carriers of the Hepatitis B virus.
Hepatitis B is caused by a virus that is spread through infected blood and other bodily fluids such as semen, vaginal secretions, saliva, open sores, and breast milk. Infection with this virus can cause scarring of the liver, liver failure, liver cancer, and even death. Persons at risk for HBV infection might also be at risk for infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) or HIV.
How can you avoid becoming infected or infecting others?

Get vaccinated (if you have not already been infected)
Be in a mutually monogamous relationship with an uninfected partner
Wear gloves when touching or cleaning up body secretions on personal items, such as bandages/bandaids, tampons, and linens
Cover all open cuts or wounds
Do not share razors, toothbrushes, manicuring tools, or pierced earrings with anyone
Do not share chewing gum or pre-chew food for a baby
Make certain that any needles for drugs, ear piercing, or tattooing are properly sterilized
Clean areas with blood on them with 1 part household bleach and 10 parts water

The symptoms of HBV are jaundice, fatigue, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and joint pain. But, about 30% of persons have no signs or symptoms. Chronic infection occurs in 6% of all people infected after age 6. Death from chronic liver disease occurs in 15-25% of all chronically infected persons.

You are at higher risk of contracting Hepatitis B if you fall into one of the following groups: persons with multiple sex partners or have had diagnosis of a sexually transmitted disease, men who have sex with men, sex contacts of infected persons, household contacts of chronically infected persons, infants born to infected mothers, infants/children of immigrants from areas with high rates of HBV infection, health care and public safety workers, hemodialysis patients.

The best prevention for Hepatitis B is to be in a mutually monogamous relationship with an uninfected partner and to be vaccinated if you are a health care or public safety worker. If you are pregnant, you should get a blood test for hepatitis B, since infants born to mothers who are HBV-infected should receive treatment within 12 hours of birth. Do not shoot drugs. Do not share personal items that might have blood on them (razors, toothbrushes). Consider the risks if you are thinking about getting tattoos or body piercings. You might get infected if the tools have someone else's blood on them or if the artist or piercer does not follow good health practices.

There are an estimated 1.25 million chronically infected Americans, of whom 20-30% acquired their infection in childhood.

Syphilis

     Syphilis, once a major public health threat, is now considered to be one of the least common STDs. It is a highly contagious disease spread primary by sexual activity, including oral and anal sex. Pregnant women with the disease can spread it to their baby. It cannot be spread by toilet seat, swimming pools, hot tubs, bath tubs, shared clothing or eating utensils.
     The syphilis infection occurs in 3 distinct stages. The primary stage is characterized by the development of one or more chancre sores, which resemble large round bug bites, on the genitals or in or around the mouth. These sores will usually appear around 3 weeks after exposure and will heal without a scar within 6 weeks. The symptoms of the secondary stage usually develop within 6 weeks to 6 months after exposure. They include a rosy rash typically on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet, moist warts in the groin, white patches on the inside of the mouth, swollen lymph glands, fever and weight loss. The third, or tertiary, stage can be recognized by severe problems with the heart, brain, and nerves that can result in blindness, dementia, impotency, and even death if it is not treated.
     Syphilis can be easily diagnosed with a quick and inexpensive blood test given at a physician's office or at a public health clinic. It is treated with penicillin, or, in the case of penicillin allergies, with tetracycline or doxycycline. Syphilis is a curable disease with prompt diagnosis and treatment. However, if treated too late, there may be permanent damage to the heart and brain even after the infection is destroyed.