RTI vs STI Flashcards
RTI vs STI
o Some reproductive tract infections ARE sexually transmitted, others are NOT
o Many RTIs are asymptomatic – even serious ones requiring treatment
o Women typically suffer more severe and long term consequences than men
example STI’s:
Trichomoniasis, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphillis, Pediculosis pubis, HIV, HPV, HSV 1 &2, HBV
Normal Vaginal pH:
3.8-4.5
pH of Sperm:
7.5
Role of lactobacilli in the vagina:
Inhibits growth of anaerobes & other organisms
lactobacilli If low
other bacteria (garnerella, Group B strep) overgrow → amino acids production → increased vaginal pH →squamous cell desquamation → classic discharge
Elevated pH kills…
normal flora (lactobilli) while anaerobes and other bacteria flourish
Most common bacterial vaginitis is?
Gardnerella
Gardnerella
▪ Amine-induced fishy odor d/t overgrowth of normal vaginal bacteria
▪ Must have 3 of 4: pH >4.5; (+) whiff test; (+) clue cells; Homogenous discharge
▪ Follows pathogenesis of lactobacilli
Gardnerella Complications
High recurrence rate (60%), cervicitis, pID, Increased risk of HIV/STI transmission, prego
complications
Second most common bacterial vaginitis is?
Candidiasis (yeast infection)
Candidiasis
▪ Up to 25% of vaginitis cases
▪ Overgrowth of fungus that lives in healthy vaginas
▪ Candida albicans is most common
Candidiasis SXs
pruritis, white-yellow d/c, erythematous tissue, often vulvar component
What can treat both Gardnerella & Candidiasis?
Boric Acid
T/F Gardnerella and Candidiasis are not STI’s
T
Trichomonas
▪ STI
▪ Assoc. w/ presence of other STIs
▪ Facilitates transmission of HIV & other STIs
▪ Increased PMNs
▪ Infects vagina, Skenes ducts & lower urinary tract in men & women
▪ Many women & men may remain Asx for years (50%)
▪ Examine, test and treat partners regardless of whether Sxs are present or not
Herpes:
▪ Condoms help prevent transmission but are not 100% effective
▪ Asymptomatic viral shedding spreads most HSV (>70%)
▪ HSV-1 & 2 can both be oral or genital
▪ Not everyone requires acyclovir or other anti-viral meds
Herpes: Classic progression…
● Erythematous papule ● Vesicle ● Pustule ● Ulceration ● Encrustation
Herpes: Virus does what?
replicates in ganglia→migrates to mucosa→replicates in epithelium→lesions
Onset of herpes
Onset typically 4 days after sexual contact
Syphillis:
▪ Capable of infecting almost any organ and system
▪ Progression:
● Can spread through bloodstream to all parts of the body
● If not treated, progresses through 4 stages, over many years (affects behavior)
● Last stage: can cause severe heart disease, brain damage, spinal cord damage, and death
Primary Syphillis:
● Chancre
● Usually occurs within 3 weeks
● Very contagious, painless, can be anywhere on the body, is an early sign of syphilis, can also present as
full body rash
Secondary Syphillis:
Secondary Syphillis:
● 2-8 weeks after chancre pts often develop a RASH
● Once syphilis has spread through the body
● Rash: Diffuse, macular, popular, combinations
● Diffuse: Palms, soles
● Patterned Hair Loss
Secondary Syphillis: Latent Period:
o After secondary-stage rash goes away, no symptoms = latent period; may be as brief as 1 year
or range from 5 to 20 years
o A person who is contagious during early part of latent stage & may be contagious even when
no symptoms are present
