SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES-    Definitions

 

STD

Symptoms

Treatment

Prevention

BACTERIAL VAGINOSIS

(“BV”)

Cause:

 

Bacterial infection

 

Causes vary. May be associated with sexual activity.

·         Vaginal discharge (white, foul or fishy smell, vaginal itching, soreness and pain).

·         Vaginal discharge may also be yellow, green or bloody.

·         Sexual intercourse may be painful.

See your health care provider for laboratory diagnosis.

 

Treatment includes:

Antibiotic therapy

 

-Avoid frequent douching.

-Avoid tight fitting under wear & pants.

-Use cotton lined underwear.

-Avoid bathing with harsh, irritating soap.

-Practice safe sex at all times.

TRICHOMONIASIS

(“Trick”)

 

Cause:

 

Protozoan infection

 

Transmitted by sexual intercourse, hot tubs, via swimming pools, and via contaminated tap water.

·         Vaginal discharge that is green- yellow, frothy.

·         Vulva may become sore and irritated.

·         Sexual intercourse may be painful.

·         Men with trick may have no symptoms but can infect their sex partners.

·         Some men may experience a pus-like discharge and have pain when they urinate.

·         The prostate gland may become infected.

See your health care provider for laboratory diagnosis.

 

Treatment includes:

Antibiotic therapy

 

Practice safe sex at all times.

 

Inform your partner that you have this disease. Encourage him or her to seek medical treatment.

 

Avoid having sex until all symptoms are resolved and medications are completed.

CHLAMYDIA INFECTION

 

Cause:

 

Bacterial infection

 

Transmitted by sexual intercourse.

·         Symptoms usually occur between 4 and 28 days after intercourse with an infected person.

·         Men may feel mild burning in the urethra while urinating. A discharge from the penis usually develops.

·         Women may have frequent urination with burning and pain. A vaginal discharge may also occur. This discharge is usually sticky, golden and/or white in regular color.

·         Anal or oral sex with an infected partner can lead to infection of the rectum or throat.

 

See your health care provider for laboratory diagnosis.

 

Treatment includes:

Antibiotics

 

Practice safe sex at all times.

 

Inform your partner that you have this disease. Encourage him or her to seek medical treatment.

 

Avoid having sex until all symptoms are resolved and medications are completed.

GENITAL CANDIDIASIS

(YEAST INFECTION)

 

Cause:

 

Fungus Infection

 

This is a common cause of vaginitis. Yeast infections may occur as a result of antibiotic therapy, oral contraceptives, and other drugs that change the environment of the vagina.

·         Women usually have itching and irritation of the vagina and vulva.

·         Women also experience a white vaginal discharge.

·         Men may have no symptoms, or they may have soreness and irritation on the end of the penis and the foreskin (in uncircumcised men)

·         Tip of the penis may become red with blistery bumps or white cheesy discharge.

See your health care provider for laboratory diagnosis.

 

Treatment includes:

Antifungal cream or tablets. Some medications can be obtained without a prescription.

See your doctor.

 

Keep the irritated skin clean and dry.

 

Take medications as ordered.

 

Practice safe sex.

 

Avoid having sex until all symptoms are resolved and medications are completed.

GENITAL HERPES

(HSV-2)

 

Cause:

 

Viral Infection

 

Transmitted sexually.

 

 

·         Symptoms of the initial outbreak begin 4 to 7 days after infection. The first symptoms are usually itching, tingling, and soreness. Then comes a small patch of redness, followed by a group of small, painful blisters. the sores or blisters are usually very painful. Urinating may be difficult, and walking may be painful. There may be a fever and feeling of illness. The sores usually heal in about 10 days, but may leave scars.

See your health care provider for laboratory diagnosis.

 

Treatment includes:

Antiviral medications

Avoid having sex until all symptoms are resolved and medications are completed.

 

Inform your partner that you have this disease. Encourage him or her to seek medical treatment.

 

Always practice safe sex.

GONORRHEA

(GC)

 

Cause:

 

Bacterial Infection

 

Transmitted by sexual activity, and can infect the penis, vagina, rectum and throat.

·         In men, the first symptom of infection usually appears 2 to 7 days after infection.

·         The common symptoms in men are painful or soreness with urination and pus-like discharge from the penis.

·         In women, the first symptoms usually appear 7 to 21 days after infection. Often there are no symptoms for weeks or months.

·         Women may experience burning or pain and frequency in urinating, a discharge from the vagina, and fever.

·         Deep pelvic pain may occur during intercourse.

·         Infections of the rectum and throat are usually marked by pain and purulent (pus) discharge.

See your health care provider for laboratory diagnosis.

 

Treatment includes:

Antibiotic medications

Avoid having sex until all symptoms are resolved and medications are completed.

 

Inform your partner that you have this disease. Encourage him or her to seek medical treatment.

 

If untreated, serious complications may occur.

 

Always practice safe sex.

SYPHILIS

 

Cause:

Bacterial Infection

 

Transmitted by sexual intercourse

·         In the primary stage: a painful sore or ulcer (Chancre) usually appears at the infection site – often on the penis, vulva or vagina.

·         The chancre may also appear on the anus, rectum, lips, tongue, throat, cervix, or fingers.

·         The chancre begins as a small, red, raised area, which soon turns into an open sore (ulcer), but remains painless. The sore does not bleed.

·         Consult with your doctor to learn more about the syphilis and the other stage of the infection.

See your health care provider for laboratory diagnosis.

 

Treatment includes:

Antibiotic medications

Avoid having sex until all symptoms are resolved and medications are completed.

 

Inform your partner that you have this disease. Encourage him or her to seek medical treatment.

 

If untreated, serious complications may occur.

 

Always practice safe sex.

GENITAL WARTS

 

Genital Warts are warts that appear in or around the vagina, penis, or rectum caused by sexually transmitted papilloma viruses.

·         The warts usually appear 1 to 6 months after infection, beginning as tiny soft, moist, pink or red swellings. They grow rapidly and may develop stalks. Multiple warts often grow in the same area and their rough surfaces give them the appearance of a small cauliflower.

Genital warts usually can be diagnosed from their appearance.

Women who have warts on the cervix should undergo regular Pap tests.

See your health care provider for laboratory diagnosis and treatment.

Avoid having sex until all symptoms are resolved and medications are completed.

 

Inform your partner that you have this disease. Encourage him or her to seek medical treatment.

 

If untreated, serious complications may occur.

 

Always practice safe sex.