STDs Flashcards
what are sexually transmitted infections
Infectious diseases that are spread primarily through intimate sexual contact
Once called venereal disease
are among most common of infectious diseases
20+ STIs identified
Affects all backgrounds and SES levels
most prevalent: teenagers and young adults
why are women more affected by STIs
frequency of asymptomatic infections
women do not seek care until serious problems have developed
how do STIs spread
sexual intercourse
oral–genital contact
hand–genital contact
anal intercourse
direct contact with infected area
infected needles/syringes
mother to baby (pregnancy or birth) or during breastfeeding
what are some signs and symptoms of STIs
different or heavier discharge from vagina
discharge from penis
burning feeling when urinating
sores (genitals/anus)
itching feeling around sex organs/anus
rash
swollen glands in groin
what is chlamydia
Most prevalent sexually transmitted disease
caused by nongonococcal bacterium
often presents no symptoms
affects mostly women
if left untreated, can affect
men: prostate gland, seminal vesicles
women: cervix, fallopian tubes
both: arthritis-like symptoms, damage to heart and blood vessels
what is human papilloma virus (HPV)
Sexually transmitted virus capable of causing precancerous changes in the cervix
causative agent for genital warts
30% of HPV cases progress to precancerous cells
what is genital warts
Caused b human papilomavis
two types
full-blown genital warts
flat warts
treatments for genital warts include podophyllin, cryosurgery, simple excision, laser surgery, creams containing 5-fluorouracil, or interferon injections.
vaccination
what is cystitis
infection of the urinary bladder
what is urethritis
infection of the urethra
what is a yeast infection
A yeast like fungus caused by canidia abicans
found naturally in the vaginal tract, becomes problematic when normal chemical balance is disturbed
what causes a yeast infection
antibiotics, tight clothing, sexual transmission, inks / dyes (found in clothing), perfume (scented pads / tampons, panty liners), condoms, diet (increased acidity), hormonal changes (due to pregnancy, breastfeeding, or menopause), weakened immune system, douches or spermicides, sexual intercourse, STIs
what is pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
an acute or chronic infection of the peritoneum or lining of the abdominal-pelvic cavity and fallopian tubes
Often results from an untreated STI
symptoms include abdominal pain, fever, and unusual vaginal discharge.
if left untreated, increases risk for infertility, chronic pelvic pain, and recurrent upper genital infections
what is herpes
caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV)
chickenpox
HSV-1
HSV-2
signs
women
men
what is syphillis
caused by a bacterial organism
progresses in stages
Primary stage- a chancre develops that disappears in 3 to 6 weeks
Secondary stage - 1 to 12 months after the chancre disappears, a rash or white patches on the skin appear and last a few weeks or months
what is the latent stage of sypillis
infection can be passed to fetus (congenital syphillis)
heart damage, central nervous system damage, blindness, paralysis, and dementia
what is gonorreha
more than 700,000 cases per year
caused by bacterial pathogen Neisseria gonorrhoeae
At highest risk are males ages 20 to 24
primarily infects the linings of the urethra, genital tract, pharynx, and rectum
treatment with antibiotics;
if left untreated, can cause sterility
what is crabs
small parasites that are usually transmitted during sexual contact
they lay eggs at the base of pubic hairs
treatment is by washing clothing, furniture, and linens
usually takes 2 to 3 weeks to kill all larval forms
what is HIV
- human immunodeficiency
The HIV kills or damages cells in the bodys immune system
Progressivly destroys the bodys ability to fight infections and certain cancers
what is AIDS
- acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
most advanced stages of HIV infection - HIV causes AIDS
how many people are estimated to be living with aids
37.9 million and has affected 60 million since 1981
why are women underrepresented in clinical trials for HIV treatments
factors for disparities include economic disadvantages, cultural norms, rape, sexual abuse, care-giving burdens, less education, and a passive role in negotiating safe sex
how is HIV spread?
most commonly through unprotected sex with an infected partner
enters the body through: the lining of the vagina, vulva, penis, rectum, mouth, or infected blood
in women, it can be transmitted to the baby during pregnancy or birth
what happens once HIV is caught
once inside the host, the virus begins to multiply
virus begins to destroy helper T cells
virus changes the genetic structure of the cells it attacks
the body begins to produce antibodies
what are high risk behaviros for HIV
Exchange of body fluids
Injecting drugs
Receiving a blood transfusion prior to 1985
is HIV spread through saliva?
no evidence that HIV is spread through saliva
not spread through casual contact (e.g., sharing utensils, towels, bedding, swimming pools, telephones, toilet seats) or through insect bites
what are initial symptoms of HIV
fever
headache
tiredness
enlarged lymph nodes
- usually disappear within one week to a month and therefore often confused with a viral infection
what is the asymptomatic period of HIV
an absence of persistent or severe symptoms for 10 years or more after HIV first enters the body
what happens during the symptomatic period of HIV
lack of energy
weight loss
frequent fevers / sweats
persistent or frequent yeast infections (oral or vaginal)
persistent skin rashes or flaky skin
PID in women that does not respond to treatment
short term memory loss
what classifies people with AIDS
includes all HIV+ people who have fewer than 200 CD4 T cells (they help the immune system fight diseases)
what are opportunistic infections for AIDS
Conditions that generally do not affect healthy people
in people with AIDS the infections are often severe and sometimes fatal
e.g., certain bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, microbes
why do researchers not understand why there is a lack of progression to AIDS
less aggressive strain of disease
genes are more protective
specific characteristics that make up one’s immune system
how do we test for HIV
Blood test
May be symptom free at time of testing
Antibodies may not be detectable until 1-3 months postt exposure
may take as long as 6 months for antibodies to be produced in large enough quantities to show up in standard blood tests
positive results are reported to the Public Health Department
ELISA test detects presence of HIV antibodies
western blot test is a more expensive confirmatory test
positive results do not ensure the infected person will develop AIDS
early detection is important so that infected individuals can receive immediate treatment
what is the treatment for HIV/ AIDS
medications
Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors
interrupts cell replication at an early stage
these drugs may slow the spread of HIV in the body and delay onset of opportunistic infections
e.g., AZT
Non- nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors
must be used in combination with other antiretroviral drugs
what are side affects to AIDS medications
medication side effects:
Decrease in red/ white blood cells, especially in the later stages of the disease
Inflammation of the pancreas
Painful nerve damage
death
how to prevent HIV and AIDS
avoid behaviours that put you at risk (e.g., drug abuse where needles are the tool)
Avoid unprotected sex
use male latex condoms, or female polyurethane condoms; use only water-based lubricants with latex condoms
Spermicides may reduce the risk, they do not totally eliminate it
