SEXUAL HEALTH Infectious Flashcards
Balanitis
Pain and inflammation (swelling and irritation) of the glans (head) of the penis happens most often in uncircumcised males. Circumcision is a procedure performed to remove the skin (the foreskin) from the head of the penis (the glans).
SYMPTOMS:
Pain and irritation on the glans (head of the penis).
Redness or red patches on the penis.
Itching under the foreskin.
Swelling.
Areas of shiny or white skin on the penis.
White discharge (smegma) under the foreskin
Foul smell.
Painful urination.
Sores or lesions on the glans (this symptom is rare and appears with a type of balanitis that affects men over age 60).
CAUSE:
Genital yeast infection (candidiasis).
Sexually transmitted diseases.
Scabies (tiny burrowing parasite) infection.
Sensitivity or allergy to harsh soaps or chemicals.
Skin conditions that cause itchy, dry, scaly skin (such as psoriasis and eczema).
Diabetes.
Reactive arthritis, a type of arthritis that develops in response to an infection somewhere in the body.
Balanitis is typically caused by a yeast infection, however it can be due to a bacterial or viral infection. It’s not contagious. Balanitis primarily affects uncircumcised males because the moist, warm area under the foreskin is the ideal place for yeast and bacteria to grow. It can occur at any age and is more common in males who have phimosis (tight foreskin that does not easily move over the head of the penis). Groups with a higher risk of balanitis include men who:
Practice poor hygiene.
Are middle-aged or older.
Have diabetes, because the increased glucose (sugar) on their skin can stimulate bacterial and fungal growth.
Have obesity.
Have sexually transmitted diseases.
Have a sensitivity to chemical irritants.
Candida Albicans
A vaginal yeast infection is an infection of the vagina, most commonly due to a fungus known as Candida. It is known in the medical community as vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC). At least 75% of women will have a yeast infection at some point in their lives, with nearly 45% experiencing two or more in their lifetime, and 5-8% having recurrent episodes ( a condition known as RVVC, and is defined as four or more episodes within one year). Although they are not life-threatening in women with a healthy immune system, they can greatly impact the quality of a woman’s life, especially in chronic cases. The symptoms range from very mild to severe, and although they are not officially considered an STI, they can be transmitted between sexual partners and to children at birth. Therefore, it is important to understand how to properly treat them.
Candida albicans is a fungus that naturally lives on your body. Candida is yeast, a type of fungus, that that is typically found in small amounts on your mouth, skin and in your intestines. Healthy bacteria in your body (microbiome) control the balance of Candida. Often when Candida is off-balance, the yeast overgrows and causes infection (candidiasis)
. Candida is yeast that is responsible for infections like thrush and vaginal yeast infections if it is off-balance with healthy bacteria in your body. Infections are common and treated with antifungal medications
Vaginal yeast infection: Yeast multiplies inside of your vagina and causes infection. Other names for a vaginal yeast infection are “vaginal candidiasis” or “candidal vaginitis.” Candida albicans is not a sexually transmitted disease or infection. Candida is a yeast that naturally lives in your body and can overgrow if the balance of yeast and healthy bacteria in your body changes. The balance of yeast could change as a result of sexual activity but having sex does not cause infection.
SYMPTOMS:
In normal situations, Candida won’t cause any symptoms unless an overgrowth occurs due to an imbalance of bacteria. Symptoms of infection include:
Skin redness (rash).
Itching.
Blisters.
Lumpy white patches.
Pain, soreness or discomfort.
Burning sensation.
Vaginal discharge.
CAUSE:
Causes of infection by Candida albicans include:
Feeling stressed.
Having uncontrolled diabetes.
Having a weak immune system.
Eating a diet with excess refined carbohydrates, yeast and sugar.
Taking antibiotics, steroids, hormones or oral contraceptives.
Cervicitis
Inflammation of the cervix, the lower, narrow end of the uterus that opens into the vagina. Possible symptoms of cervicitis include bleeding between menstrual periods, pain with intercourse or during a pelvic exam, and abnormal vaginal discharge
SYMPTOMS: Large amounts of unusual vaginal discharge.
Frequent, painful urination.
Pain during sex.
Bleeding between menstrual periods.
Vaginal bleeding after sex, not associated with a menstrual period.
CAUSE: Cervicitis can result from common sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomoniasis and genital herpes. Allergic reactions. An allergy, either to contraceptive spermicides or to latex in condoms, may lead to cervicitis.
Chancroid
Chancroid is a sexually transmitted bacterial infection caused by Haemophilus ducreyi. Symptoms can include painful genital ulcers and painful and swollen regional lymph nodes. Symptoms appear up to two weeks after exposure. Having chancroid can increase the risk of HIV spread. Results in painful, superficial ulcers, often with regional lymphadenopathy. Chancroid occurs in Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean, and is an important cofactor of HIV transmission. The genital ulcer from chancroid is painful, tender, and nonindurated.
SYMPTOMS: Multiple lesions and inguinal adenopathy often develop. With lymph node involvement, fever, chills, and malaise may also develop. Other symptoms of chancroid include painful urination, vaginal discharge, rectal bleeding, pain with bowel movements, and dyspareunia.
CAUSE:
The bacterium Haemophilus ducreyi and results in painful, superficial ulcers, often with regional lymphadenopathy. Chancroid occurs in Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean, and is an important cofactor of HIV transmission.
Chlamydia Trachomatis
The Chlamydia trachomatis bacterium is most commonly spread through vaginal, oral and anal sex. It’s also possible for pregnant women to spread chlamydia to their children during delivery, causing pneumonia or a serious eye infection in the newborns.
A common STD that can cause infection among both men and women. It can cause permanent damage to a woman’s reproductive system. This can make it difficult or impossible to get pregnant later. Chlamydia can also cause a potentially fatal ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy that occurs outside the womb).
SYMPTOMS: Painful urination.
Vaginal discharge in women.
Discharge from the penis in men.
Painful sexual intercourse in women.
Bleeding between periods and after sex in women.
Testicular pain in men.
CAUSE: You can get chlamydia by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has chlamydia. Also, you can still get chlamydia even if your sex partner does not ejaculate (cum). A pregnant person with chlamydia can give the infection to their baby during childbirth.
Condyloma Latum
AKA Condylomata lata refers to a benign and painless cutaneous manifestation of secondary syphilis. They are skin-colored or hypopigmented growths characterized by gray to white lesions, typically located in the genital area or around the mouth. Condylomata lata are reported in about 9% to 44% of individuals who have syphilis.
Syphilis is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections caused by the spirochete bacteria, Treponema pallidum. It may cause multiple skin lesions, including both flat and raised lesions (i.e., macular and papular eruptions, respectively) on the trunk, palms, or mouth. During primary syphilis, which typically occurs within three weeks of exposure to Treponema pallidum, the first skin lesions will present mostly as painless papules (i.e., raised bumps that are up to 1 cm in diameter). They usually appear at the site where the bacteria initially entered the body and, later on, produce a classic chancre (i.e., 1-2 cm painless ulcer). Secondary syphilis, which usually begins two to eight weeks after the first lesion, is characterized by the appearance of a rash. Another common symptom of secondary syphilis, other than condylomata lata, is the absence of hair from areas of the body (i.e., alopecia). It may occur in patches, widespread, or a combination in many parts of the body, including the eyebrows, beard, and scalp. Most commonly, however, individuals with secondary syphilis present with only hair loss and no sign of condylomata lata.
Condylomata lata mimicking conditions include genital warts from human papillomavirus (HPV) infection as well as squamous cell carcinoma. Their clinical presentations may resemble the cutaneous manifestation of secondary syphilis.
SYMPTOMS: Condyloma lata are large, raised, gray or white lesions. They may develop in warm, moist areas like the mouth, underarm or groin region. In addition to rashes, signs and symptoms of secondary syphilis may include: fever.
CAUSE: Condylomata lata are characteristic of secondary syphilis. Secondary syphilis refers to the two to eight week period after the presentation of the primary syphilis lesion. During the secondary phase, the infection has spread throughout the body, and the infected individual is highly contagious.
Condylomata Acuminata (CA)
Anogenital warts, are manifestations of anogenital human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. CA manifest as variably sized and shaped soft papules or plaques on anogenital skin. A raised growth on the skin around the outside of the anus caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV can spread by skin-to-skin contact, usually during oral, anal, or genital sex with an infected partner.
SYMPTOMS: Small, skin-colored or gray spots in your genital area that are raised or flat.
Several warts close together that are shaped like a cauliflower.
Itching or discomfort in your genital area.
Increased vaginal discharge.
Bleeding during or after sex.
CAUSE: Anal warts (also known as condyloma) are warts that grow in or around your anus (the opening to your rectum). They’re caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that spreads through sexual or skin-to-skin contact with an infected person.
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Condyloma (plural: “Condylomata”, from Greek “kondylōma” “knuckle”) refers two types of infection of the genitals: Condyloma acuminata, or genital warts, caused by human papilloma virus subtypes 6, 11, and others. Condylomata lata, white lesions associated with secondary syphilis.
Endometriosis
A disease characterized by the presence of tissue resembling endometrium (the lining of the uterus) outside the uterus (1). It causes a chronic inflammatory reaction that may result in the formation of scar tissue (adhesions, fibrosis) within the pelvis and other parts of the body.
SYMPTOMS: Painful periods (dysmenorrhea). Pelvic pain and cramping may begin before and extend several days into a menstrual period. …
Pain with intercourse. …
Pain with bowel movements or urination. …
Excessive bleeding. …
Infertility. …
Other signs and symptoms.
CAUSE: Retrograde menstrual flow is the most likely cause of endometriosis. Some of the tissue shed during the period flows through the fallopian tube into other areas of the body, such as the pelvis. Genetic factors. Because endometriosis runs in families, it may be inherited in the genes
Epididymitis
An inflammation of the small, coiled tube at the back of the testicle (epididymis). Signs and symptoms of epididymitis might include: A swollen, red or warm scrotum. Testicle pain and tenderness, usually on one side, that usually comes on gradually.
SYMPTOMS: sudden or gradual pain in 1 or both of your testicles (balls) the bag of skin containing your testicles (scrotum) feeling tender, warm and swollen. a build-up of fluid around your testicle (a hydrocele) that feels like a lump or swelling.
Pain in your scrotum, sometimes moving to the rest of your groin.
Swelling and redness in your testicle.
Blood in your semen.
Fever and chills.
Dysuria (painful urination).
CAUSE: usually caused by a sexually transmitted infection (STI), such as chlamydia or gonorrhoea. This is more likely in younger men under 35 years old. If testing shows that your epididymitis is caused by a STI, it may be recommended that your current or recent sexual partners are also tested for STIs. Epididymitis can occur at any age, though it happens most often in people between the ages of 14 and 35. Men and people assigned male at birth can develop epididymitis. Epididymis can spread through sexual contact. While epididymitis isn’t categorized as an STD, it’s still a common symptom of many STDs, including chlamydia and gonorrhea.
Genital Warts
One of the most common types of sexually transmitted infections. Nearly all sexually active people will become infected with at least one type of human papillomavirus (HPV), the virus that causes genital warts, at some point during their lives.
Genital warts affect the moist tissues of the genital area. They can look like small, flesh-colored bumps or have a cauliflower-like appearance. In many cases, the warts are too small to be visible.
Some strains of genital HPV can cause genital warts, while others can cause cancer. Vaccines can help protect against certain strains of genital HPV.
SYMPTOMS:
In women, genital warts can grow on the vulva, the walls of the vagina, the area between the external genitals and the anus, the anal canal, and the cervix. In men, they may occur on the tip or shaft of the penis, the scrotum, or the anus.
Genital warts can also develop in the mouth or throat of a person who has had oral sexual contact with an infected person.
The signs and symptoms of genital warts include:
Small, flesh-colored, brown or pink swellings in your genital area
A cauliflower-like shape caused by several warts close together
Itching or discomfort in your genital area
Bleeding with intercourse
Genital warts can be so small and flat as to be invisible. Rarely, however, genital warts can multiply into large clusters in someone with a suppressed immune system.
CAUSE: he human papillomavirus (HPV) causes warts. There are more than 40 strains of HPV that affect the genital area.
Genital warts are almost always spread through sexual contact. Your warts don’t have to be visible for you to spread the infection to your sexual partner.
Risk factors
Most people who are sexually active get infected with genital HPV at some time. Factors that can increase your risk of becoming infected include:
Having unprotected sex with multiple partners
Having had another sexually transmitted infection
Having sex with a partner whose sexual history you don’t know
Becoming sexually active at a young age
Having a compromised immune system, such as from HIV or drugs from an organ transplant
Gonorrhea
An infection caused by a sexually transmitted bacterium that infects both males and females. Gonorrhea most often affects the urethra, rectum or throat. In females, gonorrhea can also infect the cervix.
Gonorrhea is most commonly spread during vaginal, oral or anal sex. But babies of infected mothers can be infected during childbirth. In babies, gonorrhea most commonly affects the eyes.
Abstaining from sex, using a condom if you have sex and being in a mutually monogamous relationship are the best ways to prevent sexually transmitted infections.
SYMPTOMS: In many cases, gonorrhea infection causes no symptoms. Symptoms, however, can affect many sites in your body, but commonly appear in the genital tract.
Gonorrhea affecting the genital tract
Signs and symptoms of gonorrhea infection in men include:
Painful urination
Pus-like discharge from the tip of the penis
Pain or swelling in one testicle
Signs and symptoms of gonorrhea infection in women include:
Increased vaginal discharge
Painful urination
Vaginal bleeding between periods, such as after vaginal intercourse
Abdominal or pelvic pain
Gonorrhea at other sites in the body
Gonorrhea can also affect these parts of the body:
Rectum. Signs and symptoms include anal itching, pus-like discharge from the rectum, spots of bright red blood on toilet tissue and having to strain during bowel movements.
Eyes. Gonorrhea that affects your eyes can cause eye pain, sensitivity to light, and pus-like discharge from one or both eyes.
Throat. Signs and symptoms of a throat infection might include a sore throat and swollen lymph nodes in the neck.
Joints. If one or more joints become infected by bacteria (septic arthritis), the affected joints might be warm, red, swollen and extremely painful, especially during movement.
CAUSE: Gonorrhea is caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The gonorrhea bacteria are most often passed from one person to another during sexual contact, including oral, anal or vaginal intercourse.
Risk factors
Sexually active women younger than 25 and men who have sex with men are at increased risk of getting gonorrhea.
Other factors that can increase your risk include:
Having a new sex partner
Having a sex partner who has other partners
Having more than one sex partner
Having had gonorrhea or another sexually transmitted infection
Complications
Untreated gonorrhea can lead to major complications, such as:
Infertility in women. Gonorrhea can spread into the uterus and fallopian tubes, causing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID can result in scarring of the tubes, greater risk of pregnancy complications and infertility. PID requires immediate treatment.
Infertility in men. Gonorrhea can cause a small, coiled tube in the rear portion of the testicles where the sperm ducts are located (epididymis) to become inflamed (epididymitis). Untreated epididymitis can lead to infertility.
Infection that spreads to the joints and other areas of your body. The bacterium that causes gonorrhea can spread through the bloodstream and infect other parts of your body, including your joints. Fever, rash, skin sores, joint pain, swelling and stiffness are possible results.
Increased risk of HIV/AIDS. Having gonorrhea makes you more susceptible to infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the virus that leads to AIDS. People who have both gonorrhea and HIV are able to pass both diseases more readily to their partners.
Complications in babies. Babies who contract gonorrhea from their mothers during birth can develop blindness, sores on the scalp and infections.
Genital Herpes
A common sexually transmitted infection (STI). The herpes simplex virus (HSV) causes genital herpes. Genital herpes can often be spread by skin-to-skin contact during sexual activity.
Some people infected with the virus may have very mild symptoms or no symptoms. They can still able to spread the virus. Other people have pain, itching and sores around the genitals, anus or mouth.
There is no cure for genital herpes. Symptoms often show up again after the first outbreak. Medicine can ease symptoms. It also lowers the risk of infecting others. Condoms can help prevent the spread of a genital herpes infection.
SYMPTOMS:
Most people infected with HSV don’t know they have it. They may have no symptoms or have very mild symptoms.
Symptoms start about 2 to 12 days after exposure to the virus. They may include:
Pain or itching around the genitals
Small bumps or blisters around the genitals, anus or mouth
Painful ulcers that form when blisters rupture and ooze or bleed
Scabs that form as the ulcers heal
Painful urination
Discharge from the urethra, the tube that releases urine from the body
Discharge from the vagina
During the first outbreak, you may commonly have flu-like symptoms such as:
Fever
Headache
Body aches
Swollen lymph nodes in the groin
Differences in symptom location
Sores appear where the infection enters the body. You can spread the infection by touching a sore and then rubbing or scratching another area of your body. That includes your fingers or eyes.
Sore can develop on or in the:
Buttocks
Thighs
Rectum
Anus
Mouth
Urethra
Vulva
Vagina
Cervix
Penis
Scrotum
Repeat outbreaks
After the first outbreak of genital herpes, symptoms often appear again. These are called recurrent outbreaks or recurrent episodes.
How often recurrent outbreaks happen varies widely. You’ll usually have the most outbreaks the first year after infection. They may appear less often over time. Your symptoms during recurrent outbreaks usually don’t last as long and aren’t as severe as the first.
You may have warning signs a few hours or days before a new outbreak starts. These are called prodromal symptoms. They include:
Genital pain
Tingling or shooting pain in the legs, hips or buttocks
CAUSE:
Genital herpes is caused by two types of herpes simplex virus. These types include herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) and herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). People with HSV infections can pass along the virus even when they have no visible symptoms.
HSV-2
HSV-2 is the most common cause of genital herpes. The virus can be present:
On blisters and ulcers or the fluid from ulcers
The moist lining or fluids of the mouth
The moist lining or fluids of the vagina or rectum
The virus moves from one person to another during sexual activity.
HSV-1
HSV-1 is a version of the virus that causes cold sores or fever blisters. People may be exposed to HSV-1 as children due to close skin-to-skin contact with someone infected.
A person with HSV-1 in tissues of the mouth can pass the virus to the genitals of a sexual partner during oral sex. The newly caught infection is a genital herpes infection.
Recurrent outbreaks of genital herpes caused by HSV-1 are often less frequent than outbreaks caused by HSV-2.
Neither HSV-1 nor HSV-2 survives well at room temperature. So the virus is not likely to spread through surfaces, such as a faucet handle or a towel. But kissing or sharing a drinking glass or silverware might spread the virus.
Human Papillomavirus
HPV infection is a viral infection that commonly causes skin or mucous membrane growths (warts). There are more than 100 varieties of human papillomavirus (HPV). Some types of HPV infection cause warts, and some can cause different types of cancer.
Most HPV infections don’t lead to cancer. But some types of genital HPV can cause cancer of the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina (cervix). Other types of cancers, including cancers of the anus, penis, vagina, vulva and back of the throat (oropharyngeal), have been linked to HPV infection.
These infections are often transmitted sexually or through other skin-to-skin contact. Vaccines can help protect against the strains of HPV most likely to cause genital warts or cervical cancer.
SYMPTOMS: HPV does not usually cause any symptoms. Most people who have it do not realise and do not have any problems. But sometimes the virus can cause painless growths or lumps around your vagina, penis or anus (genital warts)
CAUSE: You can get HPV by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has the virus. It is most commonly spread during vaginal or anal sex. It also spreads through close skin-to-skin touching during sex. A person with HPV can pass the infection to someone even when they have no signs or symptoms.
Lymphogranuloma Venereum (LGV)
A sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a strain of chlamydia bacteria. Infections usually occur in the lymphatic system in the genital area. The bacteria can also be found in body fluids such as semen, pre-ejaculate, vaginal fluids, and anal fluids
SYMPTOMS: swollen lymph glands in the groin on one or both sides or an ulcer or sore on the penis, vagina or around the anus. You may notice some anal symptoms such as: blood or pus from the anus on underwear or after using toilet paper. pain in the anal area when pooing or having receptive anal sex.
CAUSE: a strain of chlamydia bacteria. Infections usually occur in the lymphatic system in the genital area.
Mastitis
An inflammation of breast tissue that sometimes involves an infection. The inflammation results in breast pain, swelling, warmth and redness. You might also have fever and chills. Mastitis most commonly affects women who are breast-feeding (lactation mastitis).
SYMPTOMS: Mastitis usually only affects 1 breast, and symptoms often come on quickly. They include:
a swollen area on your breast that may feel hot and painful to touch – the area may become red but this can be harder to see if you have darker skin
a wedge-shaped breast lump or a hard area on your breast
a burning pain in your breast that might be constant or only when you breastfeed
nipple discharge, which may be white or contain streaks of blood
You may also get flu-like symptoms, such as aches, a high temperature, chills and tiredness.
CAUSE: Milk that is trapped in the breast is the main cause of mastitis. Other causes include: A blocked milk duct. If a breast doesn’t completely empty at feedings, one of your milk ducts can become clogged
Orchitis
An inflammation of one or both testicles. Bacterial or viral infections can cause orchitis, or the cause can be unknown. Orchitis is most often the result of a bacterial infection, such as a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
SYMPTOMS: Orchitis signs and symptoms usually develop suddenly and can include:
Swelling in one or both testicles.
Pain ranging from mild to severe.
Fever.
Nausea and vomiting.
General feeling of unwellness (malaise)
CAUSE: Bacterial or viral infections can cause orchitis, or the cause can be unknown. Orchitis is most often the result of a bacterial infection, such as a sexually transmitted infection (STI). In some cases, the mumps virus can cause orchitis.
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
is an infection of a woman’s reproductive organs. It is a complication often caused by some STDs, like chlamydia and gonorrhea. Other infections that are not sexually transmitted can also cause PID.
SYMPTOMS: Pain in your lower abdomen;
Fever;
An unusual discharge with a bad odor from your vagina;
Pain and/or bleeding when you have sex;
Burning sensation when you urinate; or.
Bleeding between periods.
CAUSE: Most cases of PID are caused by a bacterial infection that’s spread from the vagina or the cervix to the reproductive organs higher up. Many different types of bacteria can cause PID. In many cases, it’s caused by a sexually transmitted infection (STI), such as chlamydia or gonorrhoea.
Salpingitis
Inflammation of the fallopian tubes, caused by bacterial infection. Common causes of salpingitis include sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhoea and chlamydia. Salpingitis is a common cause of female infertility because it can damage the fallopian tube.
SYMPTOMS: abnormal vaginal discharge, such as unusual colour or smell.
spotting between periods.
dysmenorrhoea (painful periods)
pain during ovulation.
uncomfortable or painful sexual intercourse.
fever.
abdominal pain on both sides.
lower back pain.
CAUSE: caused by bacterial infection. Common causes of salpingitis include sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhoea and chlamydia. Salpingitis is a common cause of female infertility because it can damage the fallopian tube. Treatment options include antibiotics.
Syphilis
A bacterial infection usually spread by sexual contact. The disease starts as a painless sore — typically on the genitals, rectum or mouth. Syphilis spreads from person to person via skin or mucous membrane contact with these sores.
After the initial infection, the syphilis bacteria can remain inactive in the body for decades before becoming active again. Early syphilis can be cured, sometimes with a single shot (injection) of penicillin.
Without treatment, syphilis can severely damage the heart, brain or other organs, and can be life-threatening. Syphilis can also be passed from mothers to unborn children.
SYMPTOMS:
Syphilis develops in stages, and symptoms vary with each stage. But the stages may overlap, and symptoms don’t always occur in the same order. You may be infected with syphilis without noticing any symptoms for years.
Primary syphilis
The first sign of syphilis is a small sore, called a chancre (SHANG-kur). The sore appears at the spot where the bacteria entered your body. While most people infected with syphilis develop only one chancre, some people develop several of them.
The chancre usually develops about three weeks after exposure. Many people who have syphilis don’t notice the chancre because it’s usually painless, and it may be hidden within the vagina or rectum. The chancre will heal on its own within three to six weeks.
Secondary syphilis
Within a few weeks of the original chancre healing, you may experience a rash that begins on your trunk but eventually covers your entire body — even the palms of your hands and the soles of your feet.
This rash is usually not itchy and may be accompanied by wartlike sores in your mouth or genital area. Some people also experience hair loss, muscle aches, a fever, a sore throat and swollen lymph nodes. These signs and symptoms may disappear within a few weeks or repeatedly come and go for as long as a year.
Latent syphilis
If you aren’t treated for syphilis, the disease moves from the secondary stage to the hidden (latent) stage, when you have no symptoms. The latent stage can last for years. Signs and symptoms may never return, or the disease may progress to the third (tertiary) stage.
Tertiary syphilis
About 15% to 30% of people infected with syphilis who don’t get treatment will develop complications known as tertiary syphilis. In the late stage, the disease may damage the brain, nerves, eyes, heart, blood vessels, liver, bones and joints. These problems may occur many years after the original, untreated infection.
Neurosyphilis
At any stage, syphilis can spread and, among other damage, cause damage to the brain and nervous system and the eye.
Congenital syphilis
Babies born to women who have syphilis can become infected through the placenta or during birth. Most newborns with congenital syphilis have no symptoms, although some experience a rash on the palms of their hands and the soles of their feet.
Later signs and symptoms may include deafness, teeth deformities and saddle nose — where the bridge of the nose collapses.
However, babies born with syphilis can also be born too early, may die in the womb before birth or can die after birth.
CAUSE:
The cause of syphilis is a bacterium called Treponema pallidum. The most common way syphilis is spread is through contact with an infected person’s sore during sexual activity. The bacteria enter the body through minor cuts or abrasions in the skin or mucous membranes. Syphilis is contagious during its primary and secondary stages, and sometimes in the early latent period.
Less commonly, syphilis may spread through direct contact with an active lesion, such as during kissing. It can also be passed from mothers to their babies during pregnancy or childbirth.
Syphilis can’t be spread by using the same toilet, bathtub, clothing or eating utensils, or from doorknobs, swimming pools or hot tubs.
Once cured, syphilis doesn’t return on its own. However, you can become reinfected if you have contact with someone’s syphilis sore.
Toxic shock syndrome (TSS)
A rare but life-threatening condition caused by bacteria getting into the body and releasing harmful toxins. It’s often associated with tampon use in young women, but it can affect anyone of any age – including men and children.
Caused by toxins produced by an often asymptomatic infection with Staphylococcus aureus. Although most commonly associated with prolonged tampon use, about 10% of TSS cases are associated with other conditions.
SYMPTOMS: a high temperature.
flu-like symptoms, such as a headache, feeling cold, feeling tired or exhausted, an aching body, a sore throat and a cough.
feeling and being sick.
diarrhoea.
a widespread sunburn-like rash.
lips, tongue and the whites of the eyes turning a bright red.
dizziness or fainting.
CAUSE: either staphylococcus or streptococcus bacteria. These bacteria normally live on the skin and in the nose or mouth without causing harm, but if they get deeper into the body they can release toxins that damage tissue and stop organs workin
Trichomoniasis
A common sexually transmitted infection caused by a parasite. In women, trichomoniasis can cause a foul-smelling vaginal discharge, genital itching and painful urination. Men who have trichomoniasis typically have no symptoms
Trichomoniasis is a common sexually transmitted infection caused by a parasite. In women, trichomoniasis can cause a foul-smelling vaginal discharge, genital itching and painful urination.
Men who have trichomoniasis typically have no symptoms. Pregnant women who have trichomoniasis might be at higher risk of delivering their babies prematurely.
Treatment for trichomoniasis is taking an antibiotic — either metronidazole (Flagyl), tinidazole (Tindamax) or secnidazole (Solosec). To prevent being infected again, all sexual partners should be treated at the same time. You can reduce your risk of infection by using condoms correctly every time you have sex.
SYMPTOMS: Most people with trichomoniasis have no signs or symptoms. However, symptoms may develop over time. When signs and symptoms develop, they are different for men and women.
In women, trichomoniasis signs and symptoms include:
A large amount of a thin, often foul-smelling discharge from the vagina — which might be clear, white, gray, yellow or green
Genital redness, burning and itching
Pain with urination or sex
Discomfort over the lower stomach area
In men, trichomoniasis rarely causes symptoms. When men do have signs and symptoms, however, they might include:
Itching or irritation inside the penis
Burning with urination or after ejaculation
Discharge from the penis
CAUSE: Trichomoniasis is caused by a one-celled protozoan, a type of tiny parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis. The parasite passes between people during genital contact, including vaginal, oral or anal sex. The infection can be passed between men and women, women, and sometimes men.
The parasite infects the lower genital tract. In women, this includes the outer part of the genitals (vulva), vagina, opening of the uterus (cervix) and the urinary opening (urethra). In men, the parasite infects the inside of the penis (urethra).
The time between exposure to the parasite and infection (incubation period) is unknown. But it’s thought to range from four to 28 days. Even without symptoms, you or your partner can still spread the infection.
Vaginal Candidiasis
Candidiasis is an infection caused by a yeast (a type of fungus) called Candida. Candida normally lives on skin and inside the body such as in the mouth, throat, gut, and vagina, without causing any problems. Candida can cause an infection if conditions change inside the vagina to encourage its growth. Things like hormones, medicines, or changes in the immune system can make infection more likely. The common term for candidiasis in the vagina is a vaginal yeast infection. Other names for this infection are vaginal candidiasis, vulvovaginal candidiasis, or candidal vaginitis.
SYMPTOMS:
The symptoms of vaginal candidiasis include:
Vaginal itching or soreness
Pain during sexual intercourse
Pain or discomfort when urinating
Abnormal vaginal discharge
Vaginal candidiasis is often mild. However, some women can develop severe infections involving redness, swelling, and cracks in the wall of the vagina.
Contact your healthcare provider if you have any of these symptoms. These symptoms are similar to those of other types of vaginal infections. A healthcare provider can tell you if you have vaginal candidiasis and how to treat it.
CAUSE: a yeast (a type of fungus) called Candida. Candida normally lives on skin and inside the body such as in the mouth, throat, gut, and vagina, without causing any problems. Candida can cause an infection if conditions change inside the vagina to encourage its growth.
