Chapter 21 - Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Question 1

What is Chlamydia?

Answer 1

• non specific genital infection, 90% of which appear to be chlamydia
• a micro organism called chlamydia trachomatis
• can only reproduce/spread once inside a living human cell
• the bacterium is known to be the world’s most common STI
• can be treated with antibodies
• men can develop non-specific urethritis (NSU) and epididymitis which is the inflammation of the urethra thought to be caused by chlamydia
• most women have no symptoms which therefore increases their chances of unsuspected infertility, eye infections and arthritis
• the bacterium may never fully leave the body.

Question 2

What are genital herpes?

Answer 2

• STI caused by herpes simplex virus
• there are two types
• herpes simplex virus type 1 usually produces cold sores on the lips and possibly on the genital organs
• the first episode is often highly painful, causing blisters and scab like sores. Even when symptoms are gone, the disease may still remain in the nervous system and has the ability to reoccur and get passed on to others
• can be given to a baby during birth, ultimately being highly life threatening
• there is no cure for genital herpes

Question 3

What are genital warts?

Answer 3

• the warts are caused by a virus called human papillomavirus (HPV)
• contagious and can be passed on the a baby
• can be found on the vagina, labia, cervix, penis, around the anus or just in the interior

Question 4

What is HIV?

Answer 4

Human immunodeficiency virus

• infection weakens the immune system
• almost all cases of HIV lead to acquired immune deficiency syndrome or AIDS
• HIV is retrovirus, containing an RNA rather than DNA
• HIV infects white blood cells known as T-lymphocytes where they use an enzyme to produce millions of DNA copies of themselves to be released into the body
• kills so many t-cells things body is no longer able to fight back. The patient now has AIDS
• There is no cure for AIDS

Question 5

How can HIV spread?

Answer 5

HIV can be passed on by blood to blood contact, blood to genital fluid contact, vise versa

• unprotected sexual intercourse
• sharing needs or syringes
• pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding

Question 6

What is post-exposure prophylaxis? (PEP)

Answer 6

• a treatment consisting of a course of drugs that must be taken for a month
• not 100% effective

Question 7

What does it mean by viral load?

Answer 7

The amount of HIV present in the blood and activity rate of the virus

Question 8

What is trichomoniasis?

Answer 8

• an infection caused by a protozoan, trichomonas vaginalis
• inflammation of the mucous membranes of women and urethra in men
• the disease in contagious but can be cured by anti bodies and prevented from spreading if condoms are used

Question 9

What is Gonorrhoea?

Answer 9

• a disease caused by bacterium
• mainly affects the genital areas and occasionally the eyes and the throat
• normally transmitted through sexual intercourse
• if not treated, the urethra of the male may become inflamed and cause difficulties urinating for the rest of his life. It can then also spread to the eyes, heart, testes and bones.
• women can have the disease for many months before realising she has it and if left untreated, can cause sterility
• Highly contagious and can be passed on to babies during child birth
• currently treatable but may become untreatable

Question 10

What is syphilis?

Answer 10

• caused by a thin, flexible, spiral shaped bacterium
• can only live in humans and some other mammals
  1. Primary stage -bacterium enters through a small break (cut, sore) of the skin or sexual activity.
• 2-4 weeks the disease multiples and spreads through out the whole body
• chancres (shankers) begin to appear on genital areas, eyelids or fingers. They heal in 3-8 weeks, giving a false sense of security.
  2. Secondary stage - skin rashes, sores, ulcers, mild fevers, disorders of the bones or the eyes?
• highly infectious during this period
• usually lasts about 2 years and all symptoms naturally disappear
  3. The latent stage - no noticeable symptoms.
• cannot be passed on during this stage and may remain in the body for the rest of their life.
  4. Late or tertiary stage - may return between 5-40 years after the previous stage.
• can cause syphilitic heart disease, insanity, blindness, weakening of the blood vessels.

Antibiotics can cure the disease if caught early

Question 11

What are two ways to control the passing on of sexually transmitted infections?

Answer 11

Safe sex and treatment and contact tracing