Reproductive Flashcards
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Also known as sexually transmitted diseases or general diseases (STI or VD)
Spread by sexual contact (vaginal, oral, rectal)
More easily transmitted to a woman than a man
Overal increase in STIs though “real numbers not known”
STIs
Increased related to factors such as:
- Increase in premarital sex
- Increased divorce rate
- Increased number of sexual partners for many individuals
- Lack of preventive measures especially with use of the oral contraceptives
- Most can be prevented with use of latex condoms
STIs: Concerns related to STIs
Immunity against recurrent infections is not achieved
More than one STI may be present in one individual at one time
Frequently STIs are asymptomatic - many carriers
No cure for viral STIs
More drug resistant micro-organisms
Infection from mother to fetus or newborn
Partners not always notified
Condoms not used or used incorrectly for ugh risk activities
Bacterial
Chlamydia
Gonnorhea
Syphillis
Chlamydia
Most common STI
Caused by a bacteria (Chlamydia trachomatis) that acts like a virus (only reproduces in host cell)
Spread by any sexual contact or to neonate by passage through birth canal
Incubation period 1-3 weeks
Invades the cervix in women
Invades the urethra in men
Can cause conjunctivitis and pneumonia in newborns
Chlamydia: S&S
Asymptomatic initially Dysuria Urinary frequency Vaginal discharge/testicular pain Swollen inguinal lymph nodes May be present for years without noticeable symptoms
Chlamydia: Complications
PID Infertility/ Sterility Ectopic pregnancy (goes beyond cervix and invades uterus) Epididymitis Prostatitis Reiter's syndrome (affects vascularity) Blindness/ pneumonia (newborn)
Gonorrhea
Most common reportable communicable disease
Caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae gram-negative diplococcus
Incubation period 2 to 8 days
Transmitted by direct sexual contact or
during delivery
Targets female cervix and male
urethra
Without treatment can spread to other organs
Gonorrhea: S&S
Females
- Often asymptomatic, may have vaginal discharge, abnormal menses, dysuria
Males
- Dysuria, increased urinary frequency, serous, milky or purulent urethral discharge
Gonorrhea: Complications
Men
- Acute painful inflammation of prostate, epididymitis, urethritis, nephritis
Can cause sterility
Females
- PID, sterility, ectopic pregancy, abdominal adhesions, endometritis, salpingitis, and pelvic peritonitis
Newborn
- Infect eyes, nose or anorectal region
Gonorrhea: Diagnostic tests
Smear of urethral discharge in males
Cultures done if Gram stains of smears are negative despite clinical symptoms of gonorrhea
In women, cultures of cervical discharge necessary to confirm diagnosis
Individuals with gonorrhea are often infected with other STIs so they are also tested for syphilis, chlamydia, and HIV
Syphilis
Complex STI can infect almost any body, tissue or rogan
Caused by spirochete (..)
Tranismitted through open lesions during any sexual contact
May also be transmitted through infected blood and body fluids such as saliva
Once in the system, spreads through blood and lymphatic system
Incubation period 20-30 days
Can also be passed to the fetus by placental circulation
Syphilis: 4 Stages (primary)
Primary
- Presence of painless, chancre (ulcer) at the point of contact about 3 weeks after exposure - heals spontaneously
- Swollen lymph nodes
Syphillis: 4 stages (Secondary)
Secondary
Symptoms may appear 2 weeks to 6 months after the initial chancre. Symptoms include skin rash (hands, feet, palate), general signs of infection (malaise, fever..)
Syphillis: Stages (Latent - Tertiary)
Latent
- This stage can last up to 50 years
- No apparent symptoms and disease is not transmissible by sexual contact but by infected blood
- Unless treated at least 1/3 will progress
Tertiary
- A “gumma” lesion (tumor) in skin, bones and liver
- Diffuse inflammatory response involving the CNS and the cardiovascular system - irreversible
Syphilis: Diagnostic Test
VDRL and RPR are positive 4-6 weeks after infection
Tests nonspecific if positive further tests are done
FTA-ABS is specific for T. pallidum used to confirm VDRL and RPR findings
Immunofluorescent staining or dark field microscopy can be used on specimen obtained from a chancre or lymph node
Viral
Genital Herpes
Genital Warts
Genital Herpes
Chronic asymptomatic STI
Caused by herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2)
HSV-2 closely related to HSV-1, which causes cold sores
HSV-1 can also infect genitalia
Spread by vaginal, anal, or oral genital contact
Incubation period 3-7 days
Genital Herpes: S&S
Within a week develop painful red papules
Small painful blisters form after papules appear
Blisters break, shed virus, and create painful ulcers
First outbreak of herpes lesions called first episode infection
Genital Herpes: S&S
Subsequent episodes are recurrent and usually less severe
Period between episodes called latency
Still infected even during latency
Prodromal symptoms:
- Burning, itching, tingling, or throbbing at sites where lesions commonly appear
- Sexual contact should be avoided during this time
- General malaise, fever, headache, dysuria, urinary retention, discharge
Genital Herpes: Complications
General
- Cervical cancer
- Neuralgia, encephalitis, urethral strictures, pus forming in lymph nodes
Newborns
- Affect the eye, skin, mucous membranes and CNS
Genital Herpes: Diagnosis
Virus Culture Detection test
Serology (blood) test
Genital Warts (Condyloma Acuminatum)
Caused by HPV
Common STI
HPV transmitted by all types of sexual contact
Incubation period about 3-6 months
Different types of HPV can cause chronic genital infections
Most people who carry HPV have no symptoms
Genital Warts: S&S
May develop single or multiple cauliflower-like growths
Often painless, genitals or perianal area
Genital Warts
Complications
- Some subtypes of HPV are associated with cervical dysplasia and increased risk of cervical cancer
- Infants infected can develop papillomatosis chronic respiratory condition
Diagnosis
- Primarily by clinical appearance or by examination of cervical cells
Trichomoniasis
Caused by Trichomonas vaginalis, flagellated protozoa (extracellular parasite)
Localized infection attaching to the epithelium of the vaginal or urethral mucosa