Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are infections passed through sexual contact with an infected partner. Vaginal, anal and oral intercourse can spread these infections. Some STIs can even be passed from one person to another through intimate skin-to-skin contact. Many STIs can be passed to sexual partners without any signs or symptoms present. Bacterial STIs, such as chlamydia and gonorrhea, can be cured with antibiotics. Viral STIs, such as herpes and HIV, can be treated with medication, but there is no cure.

Stats
Chlamydia
Gonorrhea
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
Trichomoniasis
Syphilis
Genital Herpes
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)
HIV/AIDS
References

STATS

• There are more than 25 major STIs1
• About 19 million new STIs are reported in the United States each year; almost half are among young people, ages 15 to 242
• 1 out of every 4 sexually active teens has an STI3
• In 2006, Weber-Morgan counties had 600 reported cases of chlamydia (2nd highest in the state)4
• In 2006, Weber-Morgan counties had 84 reported cases of gonorrhea (2nd highest in the state)5

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Chlamydia

• What is it? Chlamydia is a bacterial STI. It is also known as the “silent STI” because 75% of women and 50% of men show no signs or symptoms. Left untreated, it may lead to serious complications, such as infertility in women.

• How does someone get it? Chlamydia is spread through sexual contact with an infected partner. It can be spread through vaginal, anal and oral sex. It can also be passed from mother to child during birth.

• What are the signs and symptoms? If signs and symptoms are present in women, she might notice an abnormal discharge or a burning sensation when urinating. Men might notice a discharge from their penis or a burning sensation when urinating. They may also notice burning and itching around the opening of the penis and pain or swelling in the testicles.

• What are the complications of chlamydia? In women, the bacteria can spread into the uterus or the fallopian tubes and cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). This can happen in up to 40% of women with an untreated chlamydia infection. Women infected with chlamydia are up to 5 times more likely to become infected with HIV, if exposed. Babies born to infected mothers may get infections in their eyes and respiratory tracts.

• How is chlamydia tested for and treated? It is easily cured with antibiotics. Testing includes a lab test on urine, and in some cases, a sample from the penis or cervix.

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Gonorrhea6

• What is it? Gonorrhea is a bacterial STI that can grow easily in the warm, moist areas of the reproductive tract, mouth, throat, eyes and anus.

• How does someone get it? Gonorrhea is spread through sexual contact with an infected partner. It can be spread through vaginal, anal, and oral sex. It can also be passed from mother to child during childbirth.

• What are the signs and symptoms? Most men and women have no signs or symptoms. If they are present in men they include a burning sensation when urinating or a white, yellow, or green discharge from the penis. In women, the symptoms can be mild enough to be mistaken for a bladder or vaginal infection. Other symptoms in women may include a burning sensation when urinating, increased vaginal discharge, and bleeding between periods.

• What are the complications of gonorrhea? For women, untreated gonorrhea can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). For men, untreated gonorrhea can cause epididymitis, a painful condition of the ducts attached to the testicles that may lead to infertility. Babies born to infected mothers can get the infection as it passes through the birth canal. This can cause blindness or a joint infection.

• How is gonorrhea tested for and treated? Gonorrhea can be treated with several different antibiotics. Testing is done in a lab on a sample from the cervix, urethra, rectum or throat. Urine testing can also be done.

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Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)6

• What is it? PID is a general term that refers to an infection of the uterus, fallopian tubes, and other reproductive organs. PID can cause damage and scarring to the fallopian tubes and tissues in and near the ovaries and uterus. This damage can lead to infertility, ectopic pregnancies (a pregnancy outside the uterus) and chronic pelvic pain. About 1 million women experience PID in the U.S. each year and more than 100,000 women will become infertile as a result of PID.

• How does someone get it? PID is a complication of untreated chlamydia and gonorrhea. The more sexual partners a woman has the greater her risk of developing PID.

• What are the signs and symptoms? Vary from none to severe. Can include lower abdominal pain, fever, unusual discharge that may have a foul odor, painful intercourse, painful urination, and irregular periods.

• What are the complications of PID? Can cause permanent damage to the female reproductive organs. Can cause scar tissue in the fallopian tubes. This scarring can cause chronic pelvic pain, infertility and ectopic pregnancies.

• How is PID tested for and treated? PID is hard to diagnosis due to the vague symptoms. Lab tests may be done to test for a chlamydia or gonorrhea infection. PID can be cured with antibiotics but any damage done is permanent.

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Trichomoniasis6

• What is it? Trichomoniasis is a common STI caused by a protozoan parasite. It is the most common curable STI in sexually active young women.

• How does someone get it? Sexual contact with an infected partner.

• What are the signs and symptoms? Most men do not have any signs or symptoms. If signs and symptoms are present in women they include, a frothy, yellow-green vaginal discharge with a strong odor, discomfort during intercourse and urination, as well as irritation and itching of the female genital area.

• What are the complications of trichomoniasis? Can increase the risk of and HIV infection if a woman with trichomoniasis is exposed to the virus.

• How is trichomoniasis tested for and treated? Doctors can prescribe an antibiotic to cure trichomoniasis. A doctor performs a physical exam and lab tests to diagnose. A pelvic exam in women can reveal small red sores on the vaginal wall or cervix. The parasite that causes trichomoniasis is harder to detect in men than women.

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Syphilis6

• What is it? Syphilis is a bacterial STI. There are four stages of syphilis: primary, secondary, latent, and late.

• How does someone get it? Syphilis is spread from one person to another through direct contact with syphilis sore. These sores can be found on the external genitals of men and women, vagina, anus, rectum and on the lips and mouth. Vaginal, anal, and oral sex with an infected partner can spread syphilis. Pregnant women with syphilis can pass it onto the baby they are carrying.

• What are the signs and symptoms? Each stage of syphilis can have different signs and symptoms. The primary stage is usually marked by a sore called a chancre. The chancre is usually firm, round, small and painless. Without treatment the chancre will go away on its own, however, the infection will pass onto the secondary stage. A skin rash may appear when syphilis moves into the secondary stage. This rash will appear as the chancre is healing or several weeks after it has healed. Without treatment the rash will go away on its own, but the infection will move into the late and latent stages. In the latent (hidden) stage there are no signs or symptoms. The latent stage can last for years. In about 15% of those infected the late stage can appear about 15-20 years after a person was first infected. During this last stage the disease may damage the brain, nerves, eyes, heart, blood vessels, liver, bones and joints. This damage may be serious enough to cause death.

• What are the complications of syphilis? More health problems as the infection passes through the stages. A baby can be infected with syphilis while still in the womb. Depending on the length of the infection a woman may risk having a stillbirth or giving birth to a baby who dies shortly after. A baby may be born without any signs or symptoms, however the newborn must be treated immediately or risk becoming developmentally delayed, have seizures or die. Also, chancres caused by syphilis make it easier to get and give HIV.

• How is syphilis tested for and treated? Syphilis can be treated and cured with antibiotics. Testing for syphilis includes examining material from the chancre if one is present and blood testing.

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Genital Herpes6

• What is it? Genital herpes is a viral STI. Most people who are infected with genital herpes do not know that they have it. With or without symptoms genital herpes can be passed to sexual partners.

• How does someone get it? The virus that causes genital herpes can be found in the sores (blisters) that the virus causes. The virus can also be spread between outbreaks from skin that doesn’t appear to have a sore. Vaginal, anal, oral and genital-to-genital contact can spread the herpes virus to sexual partners.

• What are the signs and symptoms? Many people with genital herpes do not know that have it. If signs and symptoms do occur a blister will appear on the genitals of both men and women.

• What are the complications of genital herpes? Genital herpes can cause painful, reoccurring blister outbreaks on or around the genital area of infected people.

• How is genital herpes tested for and treated? Since genital herpes is caused by a virus there is no cure. However, medication can shorten the amount of time someone has blisters. There are also daily suppressive medications that can reduce the risk of passing the virus to sexual partners. Doctors may diagnosis a genital herpes infection by a visual infection if blisters are present. Blood tests may also be done but the results aren’t always clear-cut.

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Human Papiloma Virus (HPV)6

• What is it? HPV is a viral STI. There are over 30 types of HPV than can infect the genital area of men and women. Some of these are considered “high-risk” and can cause abnormal pap tests. Others and considered “low-risk” and can lead to mild pap test abnormalities and genital warts.

• How does someone get it? Spread primarily through genital contact. This includes vaginal, anal and oral sex.. HPV can also be spread through genital-to-genital contact. HPV can be spread even if there is no intercourse.

• What are the signs or symptoms? Most people infected with HPV do not know that they have it, however they can pass it to their sexual partners. The virus lives in the skin or mucous membranes and usually causes no signs or symptoms. Some infected people will get visible soft, moist, pink or flesh-colored growths called genital warts. Others may experience pre-cancerous changes in the cervix which can lead to cervical cancer.

• What are the complications of HPV? Many people with HPV infections never know that they have the virus and the body will clear it up on its own. High-risk HPV that doesn’t go away on its own may lead to cervical cancer.7 In 2006, about 10,000 women in the U.S. found out that they had cervical cancer and 4,000 women died from the disease.8

• How is HPV tested for and treated? Pap tests are used to test women for abnormal cervical cells in women. There are currently no tests available for men. Because HPV is a virus there is no cure, although in most people the infection will go away on its own. If genital warts are present they can treated with medication, surgically removed or frozen off. In 2006 a vaccine against four HPV strains was approved for girls ages 9-26. The four strains of the vaccine protect against cause about 70% of cervical cancers and 90% of genital warts.8

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HIV/AIDS9

• What is it? Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that causes AIDS. Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a disease in which attacks and kills the body’s immune system. HIV/AIDS has become a worldwide epidemic with more than 40 million people currently infected. In the United States, close to 1 million people have HIV or AIDS and 40,000 American become newly infected with HIV each year. Half of these new infections are in young people under the age of 25.

• How does someone get it? HIV can be found in large enough quantities to be spread to another person in four body fluids: 1. blood; 2. semen; 3. vaginal secretions; and 4. breast milk. The most common ways to spread HIV is through vaginal intercourse, sharing needles (including tattoo and piercing needles10), contact with infected blood, and from mother-to-child. HIV cannot be spread through casual contact, such as hugging, sharing dishes, and living with, an infected person.

• What are the signs or symptoms? Many people show no signs or symptoms when they first become infected HIV. Some may experience flu-like symptoms, swollen lymph nodes, fever, and headache 2-6 weeks after exposure. As soon as HIV enters the body it begins attacking and destroying the immune system. An HIV+ person can remain symptom free for up to 8-10 years before more serious signs and symptoms start to appear. By the time AIDS develops the body’s immune system has been severely damaged. When this happens a person might show the signs and symptoms of several opportunistic diseases.11

• What are the complications of HIV/AIDS? As HIV destroys the immune system opportunistic diseases become a concern. Opportunistic diseases, are those diseases that attack the body when the immune system is weakened.12 These disease are usually the cause of death for many AIDS patients.13

• How is HIV/AIDS tested for and treated? Testing for HIV usually requires a blood sample. Even with the advances of HIV medication there is no cure for HIV/AIDS.

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References

1. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (revised May 30, 2008).
   Common Sexually transmitted diseases. Retrieved June 5, 2008, from http://www.4parents.gov/sexrisky/stds/common_std/common_std.html
   
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (revised Nov. 13, 2007). Trends in
   Reportable Sexually Transmitted Diseases in the United States. Retrieved June 5, 2008 from http://www.cdc.gov/std/stats/trends2006.htm
   
3. Sexually Transmitted Infections (n.d.). Retrieved June 2, 2008 from
   http://www.cfoc.org/EducatorRes/index.cfm?ID=2663&blnShowBack=True&idContentType=670
   
4. Utah Department of Health, Bureau of Communicable Disease Control,
   HIV/AIDS and STD Surveillance Program. (n.d). Reported chlamydia cases and rate (per 100,000) by State of Utah Health Districts, 1996-2007. Retrieved April 1, 2008, from, http://health.utah.gov/cdc/sp.htm
   
5. Utah Department of Health, Bureau of Communicable Disease Control,
   HIV/AIDS and STD Surveillance Program. (n.d). Reported gonorrhea cases and rate (per 100,000) by State of Utah Health Districts, 1996-2007. Retrieved April 1, 2008, from, http://health.utah.gov/cdc/sp.htm
   
6. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (modified March 3, 2008). Sexually
   transmitted diseases fact sheets. Retrieved Jan. 15, 2007 from http://www.cdc.gov/std/healthcomm/fact_sheets.htm
   
7. The National Women’s Health Information Center. (June 2006). Human
   Papillomavirus (HPV) and Genital Warts. Retrieved May 30, 2008, from http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/stdhpv.htm
   
8. HPV and cervical cancer: What women and girls should know. (April 24, 2007).
   Retrieved June 1, 2008, from http://www.webmd.com/sexual-conditions/hpv-genital-warts/cervical-cancer-hpv-what-women-girls-should-know
   
9. American Foundation for AIDS Research. (2006). Facts for life what you and
   the people you care about need to know about HIV/AIDS. Retrieved May 31, 2008, from http://www.thebody.com/c=ontent/art32970.html
   
10. Health and Safety of Tattoo Artists, body piercers, and they clients. (updated
    Jan.21, 2008). Retrieved June 5, 2008, from http://www.cdc.gov/Features/BodyArt/
    
11. Mayo Clinic Staff. ( Jan 30, 2008) HIV/AIDS. Retrieved June 1, 2008, from
    http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hiv-aids/DS00005/DSECTION=2
    
12. Opportunistic Infections. (2007). Retrieved June 3, 2008 from
    http://www.aids.org/factSheets/500-Opportunistic-Infections.html
    
13. HIV related opportunistic infections. (updated May 1, 2008). Retrieved June 4,
    2008, from http://www.avert.org/aidscare.htm

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