Everything You Ever Everything You Ever Wanted to Know Wanted to Know

About About Sexually Transmitted Sexually Transmitted

InfectionsInfections

Pediculosis Pediculosis (Pubic Lice)(Pubic Lice)

What Is It?What Is It?• Also called "crabs," pubic lice are parasitic

insects found in the genital area of humans. Infection is common and found worldwide

TransmissionTransmission• By sexual skin to skin contact• By sharing clothes, towels, soap, bedding,

or sleeping bags• By wearing an infected persons

underwear• Pubic lice can live off of the body for 24-

48 hours

SymptomsSymptoms• Symptoms are the same for men and

women• You may have itchiness and redness

around your genitals.• Itching is often the worse at night• Tiny blood spots on underwear

Treatment or CureTreatment or Cure• Prescription or over-the-counter

shampoo, lotion, or cream used by both partners simultaneously

TrichomoniasisTrichomoniasis

What Is It?What Is It?• A sexually transmitted disease

typically asymptomatic in men and resulting in vaginitis with a copious, frothy discharge and itching in women

• This is a Parasite

TransmissionTransmission• By sexual contact• By infected moist towels and washcloths

SymptomsSymptoms• Greenish-yellow musty smelling

discharge from the vagina• Itching, irritation, and redness of the

vulva• Feeling of having to urinate frequently• Some women have no symptoms

Treatment or CureTreatment or Cure• Antibiotics

GonorrheaGonorrhea

What Is It?What Is It?• A bacterial STD that often advances

without symptoms to spread through the body and causing problems in many organs

• This is a Bacteria

TransmissionTransmission• By having unprotected vaginal, oral, or

anal sex with a person who has gonorrhea

• If untreated, it can spread to other areas of the body, especially the eyes of babies as they pass through the birth canal

SymptomsSymptoms• Males

– Burning feeling while urinating

– Pus drip from penis

– 10% of males have no symptoms

– Abdominal pain

• Females– Burning yellowish

discharge from vagina

– Painful menstruation

– Abnormal vaginal bleeding

– Many have no symptoms

Treatment or CureTreatment or Cure• Antibiotics for both males and females

ChlamydiaChlamydia

What Is It?What Is It?• An infection of the reproductive tract,

with or without symptoms

• A frequent cause of ectopic pregnancy and pregnancy failure

• This is a Bacteria

TransmissionTransmission• Unprotected vaginal or anal sex with a

person who has chlamydia

• Can lead to…– Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (fallopian tube

infection) – Ectopic Pregnancies (pregnancy develops in

fallopian tube)

SymptomsSymptoms• Males

– Watery or milky discharge from penis

– Burning when urinating

– Pain or swelling of the testicles

• Females– Unusual discharge

from the vagina– Bleeding between

periods– Bleeding or pain

during or after sex– Lower abdominal

pain– Burning when

urinating

Treatment or CureTreatment or Cure• Antibiotics for both males and females

SyphilisSyphilis

What Is It?What Is It?• A bacterial STD that, if untreated,

advances from a sore (chancre) to flu-like symptoms, then through a long symptomless period, and later to a final stage of irreversible brain and nerve damage, ending in death

• This is a Bacteria

TransmissionTransmission

• By having direct contact with a syphilis sore during vaginal, oral, or anal sex.

SymptomsSymptoms• Symptoms are the same for men and women• Painless sores from pinpoint size to as large

as a quarter• Flu-like symptoms, fever, fatigue, pain in

the muscles and joints• Painless rash on hands, feet, or whole body• Hair loss• Swollen lymph nodes

Treatment or CureTreatment or Cure• Antibiotics for both males and females

Human Human Papilloma VirusPapilloma Virus

akaakaGenital WartsGenital Warts

What Is It?What Is It?• HPV is any of over 50 related viruses

whose effects include genital warts and cervical cancer

• Genital Warts are contagious wart-like growths on infected areas and caused by the HPV virus.

• This is a Virus

TransmissionTransmission

• Through direct skin to skin contact or unprotected vaginal, oral, or anal sex

SymptomsSymptoms• Symptoms are the same for men and

women• Warts may be round, flat, or raised• Small cauliflower-like bumps that

are flesh/gray colored• Warts can be single or in clusters• Warts found in the genital area

Treatment or CureTreatment or Cure• There is no cure for Genital Warts

• Medication can be applied to the wart

• Warts may be removed by laser surgery

Genital HerpesGenital Herpes

What Is It?What Is It?• A common, incurable STD caused by a

virus that produces blisters.

• The symptoms clear up on their own, but the virus remains to cause future outbreaks.

TransmissionTransmission• By direct contact with the sores or

blisters of an infected person– Vaginal, anal, or oral sex – Mother –to-Child during birth

• Cold sores are a form of herpes– Oral sex (cold sore comes in contact with

someone's genitals)

SymptomsSymptoms• Same for men and women• Itching of the skin around the genitals• Painful blisters around the genitals• Burning during urination• Flu-like symptoms• Swollen glands in the groin

Treatment or CureTreatment or Cure

There is no cure, however medication may help shorten or prevent herpes

outbreaks

HepatitisHepatitis

What Is It?What Is It?• A viral STD that causes loss of liver

function and severe liver disease.

• Hepatitis B is preventable, but not curable

• This is a Virus

TransmissionTransmission• Contact with blood, semen, or vaginal

secretions• Sexual contact• Pregnancy (infected mother to baby)• Use or re-use of needles with traces of the

blood from an infected person

SymptomsSymptoms• 45-60 days after exposure

– Fever– Nausea– Weight Loss– Skin Rash– Swollen, Painful Joint– Yellowing of the Skin or Whites of the Eyes

Treatment or CureTreatment or Cure• There is no cure but treatments

are aimed at relieving symptoms

• Seek the advice of your doctor

CandidiasisCandidiasis(Yeast Infection)(Yeast Infection)

What Is It?What Is It?• An infection caused by a yeast that

multiplies out of control in the vagina

• This is not considered an STD

• This is a Fungus

TransmissionTransmission• Not always caused by sexual intercourse

• Most often caused by antibiotics, birth control pills, perfumed products, and vaginal contraceptives

SymptomsSymptoms

• Intense itching, irritation, and swelling of the outer genitals

• White, lumpy vaginal discharge

Treatment or CureTreatment or Cure

Over-the-Counter anti-fungal inserts and cream relieve

some symptoms

Urinary Tract Urinary Tract Infection (UTI’s)Infection (UTI’s)

What Is It?What Is It?• Bacterial infections of the urethra that

can travel to the bladder and kidneys

• This is not an STD

• This is a Bacteria

TransmissionTransmission• Occurs when bacteria invades the

urinary tract

• It is most often caused by sex

SymptomsSymptoms

• Frequent, urgent, and painful urination

• Some people have blood in the urine

Treatment or CureTreatment or Cure• Easily treated with antibiotics

• If untreated, infection of the bladder may progress to a possibly fatal infection of the kidneys

Jock ItchJock Itch

What Is It?What Is It?• A fungal infection of the groin and inner

thigh

• This is not an STD

• This is considered a Fungus

TransmissionTransmission

• Occurs in athletes who sweat and do not change their clothes

• Ringworm of the inner thigh and groin

SymptomsSymptoms

• Intense itching of the groin area

Treatment or CureTreatment or Cure

• Over-the-Counter drugs usually clear it up

• Stay dry

• Do not share underwear or towels