Sexually Transmitted Infection Flashcards
Gonorrhoea: Causative Agent
Neisseria Gonorrhoea
Gonorrhoea: Effects
Infection of the mucous membranes of the rectum, urogenital tract and eyes
Discharge from urethra
70% of women have no symptoms
Can pass it to children at birth and children can develop sterility, heart and eye problems.
Gonorrhoea: Treatment
Antibiotics and penicillin - some strains are resistant to these.
Chlamydia: Causative Agent
Chlamydia Trachomatis
Chlamydia: Effects
Causes pain when urinating immediately after infection
Stays in the body
May cause infertility or PID in women or be passed to unborn foetus
Chlamyida: Treatments
A course of antibiotics
Genital Herpes: Causative Agent
Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2
Genital Herpes: Effects
Causes painful blisters on the genital organs, blisters heal but virus remains in the nervous system for life.
Can re-infect the skin, mucous membranes and genital organs at any time and can pass into a foetus during pregnancy and birth.
Genital Herpes: Treatment
Anti-viral drugs and pain medication when there are blisters.
INCURABLE
Syphilis (‘the pox’): Causative Agent
Treponema Pallidum
Syphilis (‘the pox’): Effects (Stages)
PRIMARY STAGE: incubation stage: 10 days to 10 weeks.
Small sores appear called chancres on the fingers, eyelids and genitals.
They are usually painless and heal within 3-8 weeks.
SECONDARY STAGE: weeks to a year after 1st stage.
Skin rashes, sore/ulcerated throat and mouth, fevers and bone disorders. Lasts up to 2 years.
Highly infectious.
TERTIARY STAGE: there may be no symptoms for years. (5-40 years after secondary stage).
Many tissues are damaged: heart disease, blindness, crippling and weakening of the blood vessels and insanity.
Syphilis (‘the pox’): Treatments
Antibiotics - the sooner the better
Damage to tissues is often irreversible
HIV / AIDS: Causative Agents
HIV = Human Immunodeficiency Virus
AIDS = Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.
HIV / AIDS: Effects (Categories)
CATEGORY A
Similar to glandular fever - fatigue, fevers, pain in muscles and joints. Recovery occurs after 3-14 days.
CATEGORY B
‘Dormant’ phase. No apparent illnesses - this may last for years.
CATEGORY C
Serious illnesses as a result of AIDS.
Cancers, brain disorders and death.
Small infections cause big problems.
Affected by nutrition and exposure to other STIs.
HIV / AIDS: Treatments
Anti-viral drugs
Immune-boosting drugs
