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Sexually Transmitted Infections & Diseases Facts taken from Engender Health© NOTE: Most STI/STDs do not have symptoms. Annual testing is critical in order to detect and treat most infections. AWC provides testing for Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, HPV and Herpes. All others must be sent to an outside lab. HIV testing is also available for $40. HIV testing is FREE at your local health bureau. | STD | Symptoms | Complications | Basic Facts | | Chancroid | Blisters or ulcers (sores) on the mouth, lips, genitals, anus, or surrounding areas | ú Treatment cures the infection, and complications are rareú If left untreated, chancroid can lead to swollen lymph nodes in the genital area that can rupture and drain pus | Chancroid is an STI transmitted to a sexual partner through contact with the sores chancroid causes on the vagina, penis, anus, or rectum | | Chlamydia | Women: unusual vaginal discharge, lower abdominal pain, abnormal and/or heavy vaginal bleeding, vaginal bleeding after intercourse Men: Urethal discharge, swollen and/or painful testicles Both: burning or pain during urination | ú In women, Chlamydia can spread to the uterus and fallopian tubes, causing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can make it difficult for her to become pregnant, cause infertility or increase her risk of Ectopic pregnancyú In pregnant women, Chlamydia can cause early labor and delivery and can be passed to the baby, causing serious infectionsú In men, Chlamydia can cause pain and swelling in the testicles, leading to infertility | Chlamydia is an STI transmitted during anal, oral, or vaginal sex. Many men and women who have this infection have no symptoms, but they can still pass the infection to others | | Genital Herpes | Blisters or ulcers on the mouth, lips, genitals, anus, or surround areas Burning or pain during urination Itching or tingling in the genital area | ú There is no cure for herpes, but there are ways to relieve pain caused by the soresú Some people experience repeated outbreaksú Genital herpes can be transmitted to a baby during pregnancy and delivery. If infected, the baby can become very sick and possibly die | Genital herpes is an STI transmitted through direct contact with the painful ulcers the infection causes, but herpes can also be passed to a partner even after the sores have healed or before an outbreak has occurred Herpes can be transmitted from the mouth to the genitals and visa versa during oral sex Herpes sores heal on their own after 10-14 days, but the virus stays in the body after the sores are healed | | Genital Warts (HPV) | Warts or bumps on the genitals, anus, or surroudning areas | ú In pregnant women, hormonal changes can cause the warts to grow in size or number, bleed, or make delivery difficult. The warts will shrink on their own after deliveryú A baby can become infected during pregnancy or delivery and develop warts on the genitals, anus or in the throat | Genital warts are an STI caused by the human papillomovirus (HPV). HPV is passed between people by contact with a wart or skin in and around the genitals of the infected person. HPV infection and genital warts are very common among sexually active people Many people with HPV do not have genital warts | | Gonorrhea | Women: unusual discharge, lower abdominal pain, abnormal and/or heavy vaginal bleeding, vaginal bleeding after intercourse Men: urethral discharge, swollen and/or painful testicles Both: burning or pain during urination | ú In women, gonorrhea can spread to the uterus and fallopian tubes, causing PIDú In pregnant women, gonorrhea can cause early labor and delivery, and low birth weight, and can be passed to the baby, causing serious eye infectionsú In men, gonorrhea can cause pain and swelling in the testicles, leading to infertilityú Gonorrhea can get into the bloodstream, leading to an infection throughout the body, often causing pain and swelling in the joints | Gonorrhea is an STI transmitted during anal, oral, or vaginal sex Many men and women who have this infection have to symptoms, but they can still pass the infection to others | | Hepatitis B & Hepatitis C | Jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin) and/or feverHeadacheMuscle acheDark urine | ú There is no medical cure for Hep B or C. There is a vaccine to prevent Hep B, as well as treatments that can reduce the damage caused by the virus. There are no vaccines for Hep C.ú A small percentage (1-5%) of people infected with the virus become chronic Hep B carriers. Of these, approximately 1/3 develop chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, liver failure, or liver cancerú In pregnant women, Hep B can be transmitted to the baby, most often during delivery. Most infected babies who are not treated promptly will become chronic carriers at increased risk for chronic liver diseaseú Many people (50-80%) infected with Hep C virus become chronic carriersú Hep C can gradually lead to cirrhosis of the liver, leading to liver failure or liver cancerú In pregnant women, there is a small chance that Hep C can be transmitted to the baby during pregnancy or delivery. It is believed that the virus is not transmitted to a baby during breastfeeding | Many men and women who have this infection have no symptoms, but they can still pass the infection to others. Hep B & C are viral infections transmitted through contact with infected blood or other body fluids Hep B can be transmitted during anal, oral or vaginal sex Most people fully recover from Hep B infection within about 6 months, many without having experience symptomsThe most common route of transmission of Hep C is injection drug use. | | HIV Infection | The early symptoms of HIV infection often include:ú Unexplained loss of weight lasting at least one monthú Diarrhea lasting for several weeksú A white coating on the tongueú Enlarged or sore lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, and or genital area, as well as generalized swollen glandsú A cough that persists for more than one monthú A persistent fever and/or night sweatsú In women, persistent yeast infections | ú There is no vaccine available to prevent HIV infection, and there is no cure. Treatment does not cure the infection but some medications can slow the spread of the virus or fight illnesses common in those infectedú HIV weakens the immune system, making the infected person susceptible to many opportunistic infections which are infections that the body is normally able to fight off. Many conditions may be especially severe, difficult to treat, and recurrent in individuals with HIVú HIV causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) which can lead to opportunistic infections, life-threatening diseases, and deathú In women, HIV can also cause recurrent yeast infections, PID, and an abnormal Pap smear showing unhealthy changes in cervical cells | HIV is a retrovirus transmitted through contact with infected blood or other body fluids In addition to transmission during sexual contact, HIV can be transmitted through other contact with blood or other body fluids, such as shared needles; blood transfusions; shared items such as razors, toothbrushes; unclean tattooing needles, or surgical equipment | | Syphilis | Blisters or ulcers on the mouth, lips, genitals, anus, or surrounding areas Infection2-6 weeks Primary1-3 months
Secondary1-3 months
Latent2-50 years | ú If left untreated, the sores syphilis causes will heal on their own, but the client will still have the infection, which can progress and cause serious problemsú If left untreated, syphilis can damage the heart and nervous system and can cause deathú Syphilis can be transmitted to a baby during pregnancy, causing stillbirth or the death of the baby shortly after delivery. Transmission to a baby can be avoided if the woman is treated early in the pregnancy. If a pregnant woman tests positive for syphilis, she and any sexual partners must receive treatment as early in the pregnancy as possible. | Syphilis is an STI transmitted through direct contact with sores the infection causes on the mouth, lips, genitals, vagina, penis, anus, or surrounding areas. Primary syphilis: Initially causes sores that will heal on their own, but the infection will still be present and can progress to secondary syphilis Secondary syphilis: rash, sore, throat, muscle aches, tiredness, and swollen lymph nodesTertiary syphilis: no symptoms for many years; eventually can affect every part of the body; at this stage, can damage the heart and nervous system and can cause death | | Trichomonas (Vaginitis) | Women: unusual vaginal discharge Men: urethral discharge Both: burning or pain during urination, itching or tingling in the genital area | ú In pregnant women, trichomonas infection can cause early labor and delivery and low birth weight | Trichomonas infection is an STI transmitted during anal, oral, or vaginal sex Many men and women who have this infection have no symptoms, but they can still pass the infection to others |
FOR INFORMATION ON HPV AND GARDASIL, PLEASE SEE OUR SECTION ON HPV UNDER GYN SERVICES OR CLICK THIS LINK!
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STD FACTS
