Sexual health 2 - sexually transmitted infections Flashcards
Name sexually transmitted infections (STI’s)
Chlamydia
Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
Genital Warts
Genital Herpes
Gonorrhoea
Syphylis
Trichomoniasis
Pubic Lice
Chlamydia - what is it
Chlamydia is the most common STI in the UK
Known as ‘lover of a swine’ as King Henry VIII is thought to have had it
It is a bacterial infection, where the bacteria areusually spread through sex or contact with infected genital fluids (semen or vaginal fluid).
Particularly common in sexually active teenagers and young adults.
If you live in England, are a woman under 25 and are sexually active, it’s recommended that you get tested forchlamydia every year, and when having sex with new or casual partners
If you live in England, are a man under 25 and are sexually active, it’s recommended that you get tested forchlamydia every year if not using condoms with new or casual partners
Chlamydia - transmission
Transmission:
Unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex
Sharing sex toys that aren’t washed or covered with a new condom each time they’re used
Genitals coming into contact with a partner’s genitals – this means infection can be contracted from someone even if there is no penetration, orgasm or ejaculation
Infected semen or vaginal fluid getting into your eye
It can also be passed by a pregnant woman to her baby
Chlamydia - symptoms
Most people who have chlamydia don’t notice any symptoms
If there are symptoms, theyusually appear between oneand three weeks after having unprotected sex with an infected person
For some peoplethey don’t develop untilmany months later
Sometimes the symptoms can disappear after a few days
Even if the symptoms disappear, the infection may still be present and therefore be able to pass on
Chlamydia symptoms in women and symptoms in men
WOMEN - Increased vaginal discharge
Post cotial or intermenstrual bleeding
Purulent vaginal discharge.
Mucopurulent cervical discharge.
Deep dyspareunia.
Dysuria.
Pelvic pain and tenderness.
Cervical motion tenderness.
Inflamed or friable cervix (which may bleed on contact).
MEN -
Dysuria.
Mucoid or mucopurulent urethral discharge.
Urethral discomfort/urethritis.
Epididymo-orchitis.
Reactive arthritis.
How to test in chlamydia
In women = a vulvo vaginal / endocervical swab can be taken
Alternatively a first catch urine sample can be collected (FCU)
In men: a FCU is the specimen of choice
A urethral swab is an alternative – collected by inserting a swab about 2-4 cm into the urethra and rotating once before removal
Treatment for chlamydia
Non pregnant adults and children over the age of 13 first line is doxycycline 100 mg for 7 days (contraindicated in pregnancy and breastfeeding)
Then consider azithromycin 1 g orally as a single dose for a day followed by 500 mg once daily for 2 days
If both contraindicated, consider erythromycin 500 mg twice daily for 10-14 days
Chlamydia - prevention
Most at risk if the sexual partner is new or a barrier method of contraception not used
Can help prevent the spread of chlamydia by:
Using acondom every time during vaginal or anal sex
Using a condom to cover the penis during oral sex
Usinga dam (a piece of thin, soft plastic or latex) to cover the female genitals during oral sex or when rubbing female genitals together
Not sharing sex toys
If sex toys are shared, they should be washed or covered with a new condom between each person who uses them
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) - what is it
HPV is the name of a very common group of viruses
In most cases HPV does not cause any problems
Some types can cause genital warts or cancer
HPV testing is part of cervical screening
A small sample of cells is taken from the cervix and tested for HPV
Screening is offered to all women & people with a cervix aged 25-64
The HPV vaccine protects against the types of HPV that cause most cases of genital warts & cervical cancer, as well as some other cancers
Genital Warts - what is it
Genital warts are the result of a viral skin infectioncaused by the human papilloma virus (HPV)
Genital warts most common in sexually active teenagers and young adults
The highest rates of genital warts occur in menaged 20 to 24years and women aged 16 to 19 years
Transmission - genital warts
Can be spread during vaginal or anal sex, and by sharing sex toys
Don’t need to have penetrative sex to pass the infection on because HPV is spread by skin-to-skin contact
Most likely to be transmitted to others when warts are present, although it is still possible to pass the virus on before the warts have developed and after they have disappeared
Condoms do not provide complete protection because it is possible for the skin around the genital area not covered by the condom, to become infected
Genital Warts - symptoms
Small fleshy growths, bumps or skin changes that appear on or around the genital or anal area
Theyare usually painless and do not pose a serious threat to health
They canbe unpleasant to look atand cause psychological distress
It can take months, or even years, for warts to develop after infection with HPV (Therefore it may not have been contracted from current partner/s)
Warts may go away without tx, but this may take many months
Treatment for genital warts
NO TREATMENT - warts tend to disappear within 6 months
refer to sexual health specialist
Podophyllotoxin
Imiquimod5% cream
Genital warts prevention
Abstain from having sex, including anal and oral sex, until genital warts have fully healed.
This helps prevent passing the infection on to others
It also helps speed up recovery
Genital Herpes - what is it caused by
Genital herpes is caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV).
HSV can affect any mucous membrane such as those found in the mouth (cold sores)
It’s a chronic (long-term) condition
The virus remains in the bodyand can become active again
The average rate of recurrence is four to five times in the first two years after being infected
However, over time, it tends to become active less frequently and each outbreak becomes less severe.
Typically, about 10-20% of people with HSV-2 infection report a prior diagnosis of genital herpes
GENITAL HERPES - transmission
There are two types of herpes simplex virus (HSV), type 1and type 2.
Both types are highly contagious and can be passed easily from one person to another by direct contact.
HSV-1 is mainly transmitted by oral-to-oral contact to cause oral herpes (which can include symptoms known as cold sores) but can also cause genital herpes.
HSV-2 is a sexually transmitted infection that causes genital herpes.
Genital herpes is usually transmitted by having sex(vaginal, anal or oral) with an infected person
Genital herpes - symptoms
At least eight out of 10 people who carry the virus are unaware they have been infected because there are often few or no initial symptoms
However, certain triggers can activate the virus, causing an outbreak of genital herpes
Symptoms may not appear until months or sometimes years after being exposed tothe virus
Primary infection symptoms:
Small blisters that burst into red sores around genitals, rectum, thighs, and buttocks
Blisters/ulcers on the cervix
Vaginal discharge
Pain during urination
Flu-like symptoms (aches, pains, feeling unwell)
Symptoms can last up to 20 days
Sores eventually scab and heal without scarring
Virus stays dormant and can reactivate later
Recurrent infection symptoms:
Tingling, burning, or itching around genitals (sometimes down the leg) before blisters appear
Painful red blisters that burst into sores around genitals, rectum, thighs, and buttocks
Blisters/ulcers on the cervix
Outbreaks are usually shorter and milder due to antibodies
Recurrences become less frequent and less severe over time
Treatment for genital herpes in the first episode
Prescribe aciclovir 400 mg three times a day for 5 days, or valaciclovir 500 mg twice a day for 5 days first-line.
Treatment for genital herpes in the recurrent episode
Prescribe short-course treatment first-line: aciclovir 800 mg three times a day for 2 days; famciclovir 1000 mg twice a day for 1 day; or valaciclovir 500 mg twice a day for 3 days.
Genital Herpes - prevention
Using a condom every time – vaginal, anal or oral sex
Transmission is still possible if the condom does not cover the infected area
Avoiding sex if the person or their partner has blisters or sores, or a tingle or itch which indicates an outbreak is coming from previous experience
Not sharing sex toys- If used, wash and place a condom over them
Gonorrhoea - what is it
Gonorrhoea is an STIcaused by bacteria called Neisseria gonorrhoeae or gonococcus
It used to be known as ‘the clap’
The bacteria are mainly found in discharge from the penis and in vaginal fluid
Gonorrhoea - transmission
Unprotected vaginal, oral or anal sex
Sharing vibrators or other sextoys that haven’t been washed or covered with a new condom each time they’re used
Gonorrhoea - sumptoms
About 50% of women and 10% of men don’t experience any symptoms and are unaware they’re infected
In women, gonorrhoea can cause pain or a burning sensation when urinating, a vaginal discharge (often watery, yellow or green), pain in the lower abdomen during or after sex, and bleeding during or after sex or between periods, sometimes causing heavy periods.
In men, gonorrhoea can cause pain or a burning sensation when urinating, a white, yellow or green discharge from the tip of the penis, and pain or tenderness in the testicles.
