Introduction to STI's

Question 1

What is meant by a commensal micro-organism?

Answer 1

A micro-organism that derives food or benefits from another organism without hurting or helping it

->e.g. bacteria on the skin

Question 2

What is meant by a pathogen?

Answer 2

A micro-organism that can cause disease

Question 3

What is meant by a sexually transmissible organism?

Answer 3

A virus, bacteria, protozoan, insect or arthropod which can be spread by sexual contact

Question 4

STI?

Answer 4

An infection by a pathogen which is sexually transmissible and which is unlikely to be transmitted by non-sexual means

Question 5

Give an example of a microorganism which can cause an STI and is not likely to be transmitted except by sexual transmission.

Answer 5

Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Question 6

STD?

Answer 6

A disorder of structure or function caused by a sexually transmitted pathogen e.g. pelvic inflammatory disease or genital warts

Question 7

List some infections which can be transmitted by skin contact only.

Answer 7

Pubic lice
Scabies
Warts (HPV types 6&11)
Herpes

Question 8

Which STI is most commonly transmitted through group sex?

Answer 8

Hepatitis C

->hard to transmit otherwise

Question 9

Symptoms of STI’s?

Answer 9

Ulceration
Lumps
Discharge- genital or non-genital
Rashes

Question 10

Systemic symptoms of STI’s?

Answer 10

Fever
Rash
Malaise
Lymphadenopathy
Arthralgia and arthritis

Question 11

What is one of the potential late complications of chlamydia?

Answer 11

Infertility

Question 12

What is a late complication of HIV?

Answer 12

AIDS

Question 13

What questions may you have to ask in a sexual history?

Answer 13

When did you last have sexual contact?
Casual contact vs regular partner?
Male or female?
Asking about nature of sex is sometimes useful
Did you use condoms/other contraception?
Nationality of contact

Question 14

What questions may you have to ask in a sexual history in the assessment of longer-term sexual risks in men?

Answer 14

Have you ever had sexual contact with another man?
Have you ever injected drugs?
Have you had sexual contract with anyone who has injected drugs or someone from outside the UK? If yes, clarify
Medical treatment outside the UK? If yes, clarify
Have you ever paid for sex or been paid?

->reason about asking about men having sex with men is because this is a smaller circle and infections can be passed around more easily

Question 15

If somebody has an STI, they are at greater risk of another one. What should be offered?

Answer 15

Further STI testing