Sexually Transmitted Infections

1) Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI):  STI is an infectious disease caused by unprotected sex between men and women and between people of the same sex. STIs can be transmitted through the vagina, the penis, the anus and the mouth of an infected person. Some infections can be transmitted by touch even with protection. Sexually transmitted infections include: 

• Gonorrhea 
• Chlamydia
• Trichomoniasis 
• Bacterial Vaginosis
• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
• Cervicitis 
• Genital Herpes 
• Condyloma acuminata (genital warts) 
• Syphilis 
• Candidiasis (also known as Moniliasis or thrush)
• Chancroid 
• Lymphogranuloma venereum 
• Molluscum Contagiosum 
• Pubic lice

1.1) Gonorrhea Gonorrhea is an STI caused by a bacteria called Neisseria gonorrhea. The virus causes symptoms in different parts of the body including the mouth, throat, urethra, eyes and anus in both men and women, and the cervix, uterus and fallopian tubes in women. Symptoms for men include green, white or yellow discharge from the penis, painful urination and pain or swelling in the groin. Most women with gonorrhea are asymptomatic, but some may experience painful urination, increased vaginal discharge or bleeding between periods. Both men and women who have a rectal infection may experience anal itching, soreness, discharge or bleeding from the anus or painful bowel movements.

1.2) Chlamydia Chlamydia is an STI caused by a bacteria called Chlamydia trachomatis. Many people who are infected do not have any symptoms or have very mild symptoms. A small percentage of women may develop symptoms such as vaginal discharge, painful urination, lower abdominal pain, irritation around the vaginal area or abnormal vaginal bleeding. Half of all male patients report symptoms, including painful urination, white or yellow discharge from the penis and tingling or itching in the penis.

1.3) Syphilis Syphilis is an STI which is caused by a bacteria named Treponema pallidum. It can be successfully treated, but if it is left untreated for a long time it can cause serious disability and even death. People can get syphilis by direct contact with a syphilis sore during vaginal, anal or oral sex. Syphilis can also be passed from an infected mother to her unborn baby. Syphilis has four stages:

• Primary Syphilis: During the stage a sore develops where syphilis entered the body, usually in or around the vagina, penis, anus or rectum. Sores are usually not painful and last for 1-5 weeks. If it is not treated during the primary stage, the disease will move to the second stage.
• Secondary Syphilis: This stage usually starts with a rash on one or more areas of the body, including on the palms of the hands or the bottoms of the feet. The rash is rough and red or reddish-brown, but is usually not itchy. Other symptoms include sores in the mouth, vagina or anus, fever, headache, muscle ache, abdominal pain, nausea, loss of appetite and hair loss.

• Latent Syphilis: The silent or latent stage is when there are no symptoms present, but the person still has the bacteria in their body.
• Tertiary Syphilis: This stage can occur 2-30 years after the initial infection. It can damage various organs of the body such as the brain and nervous system and heart and blood vessels. People can experience heart disease, large blood vessel rupture, meningitis, memory loss, blindness or deafness from the tertiary stage of syphilis.

1.4) Human Papilloma Virus       HPV is a common STI caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV can cause genital warts, cervical cancer and other cancers such as cancer of the vulva, vagina, penis, anus or back of the throat. Most people with HPV do not know they have the infection because they don’t develop any symptoms. Some people find out they have HPV when they get genital warts. Genital warts appear as small, brown or pink swellings in the genital area. Other symptoms can include itching around the genital area or bleeding during or after sex. Anal genital warts may cause blood in the stools or a white discharge from the anus. Genital warts can also develop in the mouth or throat of a someone who has had oral sex with an infected person. HPV can be prevented with vaccination. Once infected with HPV, there is no treatment for the virus, but genital warts can be treated with medications, surgical excision, cryotherapy, laser treatment and electrocautery.      

1.5) Genital Herpes       Genital herpes is an STI caused by the herpes simplex virus, either herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) and herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). HSV-2 is the most common cause of genital herpes. The virus can be present in blisters and ulcers and in the lining or fluids of the mouth, vagina or rectum. HSV-1 causes cold sores or blisters. A person with HSV-1 in 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.

The first signs of herpex simplex infection are a tingling sensation in the affected areas and small red lumps that develop into blisters. Over the next 2 to 3 weeks, more blisters can appear and develop into painful open sores. These sores usually heal quickly. People may also experience flu-like symptoms such as headache, muscle aches, fever and swollen glands. The virus can go through a dormant phase before it becomes active again. People with HSV infections can infect other people even when they have no visible symptoms.          

1.6) Trichomoniasis Trichomoniasis is an STI caused by a protozoan parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis. About 70% of people with the infection do not have any symptoms, but some people get symptoms within 5 to 28 days after being infected. Women may experience symptoms such as itching in the vagina and genital area and a yellow or green vaginal discharge. Men may have urinary tract obstruction or discharge from the urethra. Symptoms can come and go.        

1.7) General symptoms of STIs:

1. Abnormal discharge from the penis or vagina.
2. Painful urination.
3. Itching on or around the genitals.
4. Warts or sores on the genitals, mouth or anus.