Reproductive Health Flashcards
What are some ways that HIV is not transmitted?
Air or environmental surfaces, kissing (if bleeding/open sores are not present in the mouth), saliva, sweat, tears, and insects.
What are the most common sexually transmitted infections?
Chlamydia, genital warts, herpes, and gonorrhea.
Do any of the infections show symptoms early on?
NO!
What are some of the later symptoms?
Pain with urination, sores, blisters, warts, and flu-like symptoms.
Which of these infections are NOT curable?
Genital warts, herpes, and HIV.
If there are no symptoms which of these infections can still be transmitted?
Chlamydia, genital warts, herpes, gonorrhea, and HIV.
What are genital warts?
Flesh-colored growths which often appear on, around, or inside the genitals, rectum, or throat.
How are genital warts transmitted?
Through vaginal, anal, and oral sex with an infected person, or if you make contact with rash covered areas. Also, it can be transmitted from a mother to her baby during birth.
Are genital warts contagious?
Yes, they are highly contagious.
What are the consequences of genital warts?
You carry it for a lifetime and infect others. The warts may grow and can cause cervical cancer in females. They may be uncomfortable and can be passed from a mother to her baby.
Can genital warts be treated?
They can be treated, but NOT cured. If removed they may return.
How can you avoid getting genital warts?
Abstain from all sexual contact.
What is chlamydia?
It is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the United States and caused by a bacteria called chlamydia trachomatis.
How is chlamydia transmitted?
Through vaginal, anal, or oral sex with an infected person, contact with infected discharge, and from an infected mother to child at birth.
What are the symptoms of chlamydia?
There are often no symptoms, but if present they are: vaginal bleeding between periods and pain with urination or in the abdomen.
What are the consequences of chlamydia?
It can cause permanent damage to reproductive and urinary organs. It is the leading cause of pelvic inflammation in females and may lead to infertility. It can be passed from a mother to child at birth.
What is syphilis?
It is caused by a bacteria called treponema pallidum. It is a sexually transmitted infection that can spread to other organs of the body and cause serious damage to those vital organs.
How is syphilis transmitted?
Vaginal, anal, and oral sex with an infected person. It can also be transmitted by hand or genital contact with infectious open sores, rashes, or lesions. The last way it can be transmitted is from infected mother to child during pregnancy.
What happens in the first stage of syphilis?
There is a painless sore called a lesion chancre; it may be small or large. Goes away after a few weeks but the person is still infected. They also have swollen lymph glands in groin or neck.
What happens in the second stage of syphilis?
There is a rash in one or more areas, rough reddish spots on palms and bottoms of feet, fever, muscle aches, tiredness, sore throat, swollen glands, headaches, and patchy hair loss.
What happens in the third stage of syphilis?
All of the symptoms disappear, however, the bacteria remains in the body.
What happens in the fourth stage of syphilis?
This happens ten to thirty years after infection occurs. At this point, the disease damages your internal orgas (such as lungs, heart, and brain) and can result in early death.
What are other consequences of syphilis?
Infection in pregnant women could cause miscarriage or stillbirth of a baby, and, if the baby survives, the infection could be passed on from the mother to the baby. This causes damage to the baby’s eyes, skin, teeth, liver, and bones. (Also, don’t forget about the irreversible damage to internal organs).
What is HIV?
It is the virus that causes AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) and causes the body not to be able to fight off infections.
