B10.3 : Sexually transmitted infections

Question 1

Sexually Transmitted Infections

Answer 1

1. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are infections transmitted via body fluids through sexual contact
2. An example of an STI is human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Question 2

HIV and AIDS

Answer 2

1. The HIV virus can leads to a disease called AIDS.
2. The immune systems of people with AIDS is damaged so badly that it cannot deal with other infections that the body encounters.
3. HIV causes AIDS when the HIV virus enters the lymph nodes and attacks the immune system, causing a decreased numbers of lymphocytes (white blood cells) and a reduced ability to make antibodies.

Question 3

Preventing the spread of STIs

Answer 3

1. HIV is spread by having anal or vaginal sex without condoms with someone who has HIV, or by the exchange of body fluids (like blood) blood from sharing needles or syringes, and can be passed from mother to baby in birth.
2. The spread of HIV can be prevented by using condoms and staying faithful to one sexual partner
3. People with HIV can be given antiretroviral drugs to prevent them developing AIDS.

Question 4

HIV

Answer 4

1. human immunodeficiency virus
2. infects a particular type of white blood cell (lymphocytes). Over a period of time, HIV will slowly destroy the lymphocytes
3. The number of lymphocytes will eventually be so low that they are unable to fight against other pathogens

Question 5

AIDS

Answer 5

1. acquired immune deficiency syndrome
2. People with AIDS may develop cancer since the white blood cells that are destroyed can no longer destroy body cells that might be beginning to produce cancers.
3. Brain cells are also damaged.
4. A person with AIDS usually dies from a collection of several illnesses rather than from AIDS itself.
5. There is still no cure for AIDS, though drugs can greatly increase the life expectancy of a person infected with HIV

Question 6

antibodies

Answer 6

Proteins produced by lymphocytes to fight pathogens presenting as foreign antigens

Question 7

antigens

Answer 7

1. Foreign substances that stimulate immune response.

2. Our immune system produces antibodies as a response

Question 8

Transmission of HIV

Answer 8

1. sexual activity
2. blood contact
3. mother to baby

Question 9

Transmission of HIV from sexual activity

Answer 9

1. HIV can live in the fluid inside the vagina, rectum, and urethra, as well as in the blood
2. During sexual intercourse, fluids from one partner come into contact with fluids of the other making it easy for the virus to be passed on
3. The more sexual partners a person has, the higher chance of them becoming infected with HIV

Question 10

Transmission of HIV from blood contact

Answer 10

1. Many cases of AIDS have been caused by HIV being transferred from one person’s blood to another
2. This can happen when blood containing HIV is used in transfusions or if someone who is HIV positive share hypodermic needles
3. Sharing of needles is common in people who inject drugs such as heroin

Question 11

Transmission of HIV from mother to baby

Answer 11

1. the virus HIV can be passed on from a mother to her baby during pregnancy, birth, or breast-feeding
2. The best way to decrease this risk is to treat an HIV-positive woman with antiretroviral drugs before and after her pregnancy
3. Many HIV positive mothers are also advised not to breastfeed their baby

Question 12

Signs and symptoms of STI

Answer 12

1. Unusual discharge from the genital area.
2. Rashes, sores, itchiness or pain around the genitals.
3. A burning feeling when urinating or having intercourse.
4. Having to urinate more than usual (although this should be checked by a doctor as it could have other causes e.g. UTI)

Question 13

Common STIs

Answer 13

1. Chlamydia
2. Gonorrhea
3. Genital Warts
4. Genital Herpes
5. Hepatitis
6. HIV