Transcript Sexually Transmitted Infections

Sexually Transmitted
Infections
& HIV/AIDS
STI’s
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Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) –
any pathogen that spreads from one
person to another during sexual contact.
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There are 19 million new cases of STIs in the
United States each year. Of those cases,
over 3 million occur in people under the age
of 20.
Risky Behaviors that account for
the STI epidemic:
Ignoring risks
 Multiple partners
 Not seeking treatment
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Ways to avoid STIs:
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Practice Abstinence: which means not engaging
in sexual activity, such as oral sex, anal sex,
genital to genital touching, and intercourse.
Avoid drugs
Choose responsible friends
Sexual Fidelity: also called monogamy, means
that two people have sexual contact only with
one another.
Barrier Protection: which means using a condom
during every sexual encounter.
The Most Common STIs
1. Trichomoniasis is caused by a
protozoan that infects the urinary tract or
vagina.
 Male symptoms: painful urination, clear
discharge from penis, some itching
 Female symptoms: itching and burning in
vagina, unpleasant smelling, yellowish
discharge, and pain when urinating
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The Most Common STIs
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2. Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is the most
common viral STI in the United States.
In many cases, HPV causes no symptoms, so
people may not be aware that they are infected.
Some forms of HPV cause genital warts, which
may itch or burn. Sometimes, the body’s
immune system will destroy the virus, clearing
the body of infection. But in some people, HPV
remains in the body for life.
One of the most serious conditions associated
with HPV infection is cervical cancer in women.
The Most Common STIs
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3. Chlamydia is the most common STI caused
by bacteria in the United States. This infection
can be cured with antibiotics.
Male symptoms: painful, frequent urination,
discharge from penis (untreated-urethritis)
Female symptoms: no symptoms, other than
yellowish vaginal discharge (untreated-PID)
Other STIs
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1. Hepatitis B and C are sexually transmitted infections
that attack the liver. They are also spread by blood to
blood contact, such as when people share needles.
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Common Symptoms: fatigue, abdominal pain, nausea, jaundice
2. Gonorrhea is a bacterial STI that infects the urinary
tract of males and females and the reproductive organs
of females.
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Male Symptoms: thick, puslike discharge from penis, painful
urination
Female Symptoms: painful urination, puslike discharge from
vagina or urinary tract
Other STIs
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3. Genital Herpes is caused by a virus, known as
herpes simplex virus.
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Symptoms: hardly noticeable OR more severe
(painful blisters on or around genitals)
There is no cure for genital herpes. Infected
people can experience periodic outbreaks of
blisters throughout their lives. An infected
individual can pass the herpes simplex virus
whether blisters are present or not.
Other STIs
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4. Syphilis is a serious bacterial STI that progresses
through 3 distinct stages.
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Stage 1: painless sore called a chancre, bacteria may spread
from sore to different body parts
Stage 2: sores appear in the mouth, flu like symptoms
develop, rash on hands/feet
Stage 3: symptoms may disappear for years, bacteria attacks
internal parts of body which can cause brain damage, paralysis
and heart disease
In its early stages, syphilis can be treated and cured with
antibiotics. Once it progresses beyond the second
stage, the bacteria can be killed, but any damage that
has already occurred is permanent.
HIV and AIDS
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The most serious incurable STI is caused by the human
immunodeficiency virus called HIV. As of 2009, the CDC
estimated that 1.2 million people in the United States are
living with the HIV infection.
One in five (20%) of those people are unaware of their
infection. Despite increases in the total number of people
in the U.S. living with HIV infection in recent years (due
to better testing and treatment options), the annual
number of new HIV infections has remained relatively
stable. However, new infections continue at far too high
of a level, with approximately 50,000 Americans
becoming infected with HIV each year.
HIV and AIDS
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HIV infection can lead to AIDS, or acquired
immunodeficiency syndrome, which is an often
fatal disease of the immune system.
HIV attacks specific cells of the immune system,
disabling the body’s defenses against other
pathogens. HIV infects helper T cells, which
stimulate other cells of the immune system to
produce antibodies against invading pathogens.
Inside a helper T cell, HIV reproduces, killing the
cell in the process. The new viruses are
released from the cell and move on to destroy
other helper T cells.
Stages of HIV Infection
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Asymptomatic Stage: the stage of HIV infection in which the
infected person shows no symptoms. People in this stage can infect
others even though they feel fine.
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Symptomatic Stage: when an HIV infected person starts to
experience symptoms. Symptoms may include: weight loss, a
persistent fever, diarrhea, or fungal infections. Symptoms may not
appear until 7-10 years after infection with HIV.
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AIDS: is usually marked by a very low number of helper T cells in
the blood. Because the body’s ability to fight disease has been
weakened by HIV, they are susceptible to infections that a healthy
person’s immune system could easily fight off.
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Opportunistic Infections: the infections that attack a person with a
weakened immune system.
Transmission and Prevention of
HIV
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Transmission of HIV (risky behaviors)
Sexual contact
Shared needles
Contact with blood
Mother to baby
Preventing HIV Infection
Practice abstinence
Avoid drugs
Avoid contact with blood or body fluids (semen, vaginal
secretions, breast milk)
Sexual fidelity in marriage
Barrier protection
Testing for HIV and AIDS
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In an HIV test, a person’s blood is tested
for antibodies to HIV. If antibodies are
detected, a second test is done to verify
the result. A person who is diagnosed as
being infected with HIV is said to be HIVpositive.
Treatment for HIV and AIDS
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The main goal of treatment is to keep the person’s
immune system functioning as close to normal as
possible. To achieve this goal, the treatment must:
keep the person’s viral load - the number of virus
particles circulating in the body – as low as possible, and
keep the person’s T cell count as high as possible.
The most common treatment for HIV infection today is
known as Highly Active AntiRetroviral Therapy, or
HAART. HAART uses a combination of drugs to reduce
the viral load in the blood.