Grade 12 Human Reproduction Part 7 Sexually Transmitted Infections Flashcards
Explain what a STD is:
Disease that are transferred from one person to another during sexual conduct.
List three prevalant STD’s
- HIV Aids
- Syphilis
- Gonorrhoea
Explain HIV Aids (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome)
Sexually transmitted disease caused by virus known as HIV *Human Immunodeficiency Virus
*Caused by HIV that infects white blood cells of the immune system known as CD4 cells
Virus reproduces and destroys the CD4 cells, which weakens the immune system, leaving the individual more susceptible to other diseases
How is HIV transferred?
- Sexually transferred, during unprotected sex through semen and vaginal secretions Person already infected with another STD is more at risk to HIV infection *
- Blood to blood: Blood transfusions, contaminated needles shared by drug users, tattoos, trauma accidents, cultural / tribal rituals e.g. circumcision.
- Mother to child: Pregnancy via the placenta, birth from bleeding and vaginal secretions, breast feeding
What are some of the HIV Aids symptoms and how does the illness progress?
Weaker immune system - due to CD4 cells destroyed by HIV
First phase - few to no symptoms
Flu symptoms - sore throat, sore joints, headache, moderate fever, tiredness, muscle and joint pain, swelling of lymph glands, mouth ulcers
Second phase: As system weakens, cold soars, skin infections, prolonged fever, night sweats, chronic diarrhoea,opportunistic infections e.g. respiratory infections, pneumonia, peripheral neuropathy (pins and needles, TB, lymph cancer, rare skin cancer etc.
Loss of appetite
Rapid weight loss
Diarrhoea lasting longer than a month
Final phase - AIDS (Rare disease and cancer become evident). CD4 count is very low. Death usually due to opportunistic disease.
How is HIV Aids tested?
- Know your HIV status - Blood test
- If HIV negative - safety measures taken to prevent infection
- If HIV positive - can control by taking correct medication (antiretrovirals) and lifestyle
- Counselling is NB
*
How is HIV Aids treated?
No cure
* Treatment - Keeping the viral load low (Increasing CD4 count and lowering HI viruses)
* Antiretrovirals - ARVs = decrease viral load - cannot destroy virus unfortunately
* Immune syste - Strenthen through healthy diet and vitamin mineral supplements
* Treatment of common opportunistic infections.
How can HIV Aids be prevented?
- Education
- Avoid sex or have one faithful, long-term partner who is HIV negative
- Protected safe sex
- Treat other sexually transmitted diseases
- Avoid direct contact with blood of others - gloves and no shared needles
- Avoid alcohol and drug abuse - leads to reckless sexual behaviour
What are some **social consequences **of HIV/ AIDS?
- Serious in SA - one of highest percentages in the world
- More than 1/3rd HIV positive
- Often treated badly in society
- Much time treating the sick
- Family suffers loss of loved ones = often both parents = orphans
- Often yount and middle-aged adults who die - usually the people who would support the communities.
What are some of the economic consequences of HIV / Aids?
- Young people who do not have access to education and development - as they are busy caring for the sick at home
- Families loose their breadwinners - financial hardship
- Healthcare system put under pressure - not enough money to provide service to sick and dying patients
- Local economies suffer - not enough skilled workers.
What is syphilis?
- Caused by bacterium, Treponema pallidum, which infects the mucous membranes of sex organs.
- Enters body through tears in the mucous membranes.
- Develops slowly and symptons may occur years after infection.
How is syphilis spread?
- Sexual contact with an infected person - direct contact with syphilis sores.
- Transferred from an infected pregnant woman to her unborn child
List and explain the symptoms and 3 stages of syphilis:
1.** Primary stage** - small, round, painless sores develop about 21 days after infection on penis, vagina or cervix. Sores heal within 2 - 4 weeks. Highly infectious stage.
- Secondary stage - temporary skin rash appears after a few months. Lip sores, swollen glands, flu-like symptoms. Highly infectious.
- Advanced stage - 10 or more years after infection - bacteria infect internal organs like liver, heart, skeleton, nerves and eventually brain. Possible blindness, insanity, paralysis and death.
How is syphilis treated?
- Easily by means of antibiotics (penicillin), if disease is still in early stage.
- Often too late as undetected in early stages
How can syphilis be prevented?
- Abstain from sex
- One faithful, long term partner - tested and uninfected
- Safe, protected sex
- Respond to early symptoms
- Avoid alcohol and drugs - risk of irresponsible sexual behaviour
