Facts About Sexually Transmitted Infections
What You Need to Know to Protect You and Your Family
So you know all about protecting yourself from sexually transmitted infections (STIs)? Just use a condom, right? Well, what you do not know about STIs could hurt you!
STI 101
What Are STIs?
STIs are infections caused by bacteria, viruses, or other organisms. The STIs caused by bacteria can be cured with antibiotics. Those caused by viruses cannot be cured, but the symptoms can be treated.
How Are STIs Transmitted?
STIs are usually spread through sexual contact, including vaginal, oral, and anal sex. The viruses and bacteria that cause STIs are normally carried in the semen, vaginal fluids, or blood. They enter the body through tiny tears or cuts in the mouth, anus, or genitals. STIs can be passed from person-to-person even without having sexual intercourse. For instance, someone can contract
herpes
or
genital warts
through skin-to-skin contact with an infected sore or area.
How Can STIs Be Prevented?
There is only one 100% effective way to be sure that you stay STI-free—no sex or intimate physical contact with anyone. If you are sexually active, you can reduce your chance of getting an STI by avoiding high-risk behaviors like unprotected sex, and sex with multiple partners. A latex condom should always be used when having sex.
Symptoms of STIs
When to See a Doctor Right Away
- Abnormal or smelly discharges, pus, or odors from the vagina, penis, or rectum
- Boils, blisters, chancres, polyps, growths, sores, or warts
- Burning sensations
- Bleeding
- Irritation, tenderness, swelling, rashes, itching
- Painful intercourse or other pains
- Vaginal yeast infections , cervicitis (swelling of the cervix), urine changes
- After sexual contact with someone who has a known STI
Other Possible Symptoms of an STI
- Weight loss that is constant, rapid, or unexplained
- Coatings of the mouth, throat, or vagina
- Abdominal pain, muscular pain, aching joints, general weakness, feeling tired
- Coughs, chills, night sweats, or fevers
- Bowel problems, diarrhea , vomiting, appetite loss, nausea
- Vaginal pain
- Headaches, lightheadedness, vision loss, hearing loss, mental disorders
- Discolored skin, hair loss, jaundice
- Swollen glands, sore throat , fatigue
- Growths
Some Common STIs
Bacterial Vaginosis
Bacterial vaginosis
(BV) is caused by a change in the balance of different kinds of bacteria in the vagina. When there are symptoms, they often appear as a form of vaginitis—an irritation of the vagina often associated with a vaginal discharge. BV is not always sexually transmitted, though sexual activity increases the risk.
- Treatment—Antimicrobial creams are applied to the vagina or antibiotic pills taken by mouth.
- Protection—Use condoms during sex.
Chlamydia
When diagnosed,
Chlamydia
can be easily treated and cured. Untreated, chlamydia can cause reproductive and other health problems. It can cause bladder infections and
pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
,
ectopic pregnancy
, and sterility in both men and women. It is one of the most frequently reported infectious disease in the United States.
- Treatment—Both partners can be treated successfully with antibiotics.
- Protection—Use condoms during sex.
Cytomegalovirus
Cytomegalovirus
(CMV) is a member of the herpes virus group. Once infected, a person can carry the virus for life, even though they may never have active symptoms. In babies, CMV can cause permanent disability, including hearing loss and
intellectual disability
. This virus is also dangerous for people with weakened immune systems. In healthy adults who are infected with CMV, the symptoms may include swollen glands, sore throat, fever, and fatigue.
- Treatment—There is no cure, but symptoms may be helped with some medicines. Vaccines are being researched.
- Protection—Condoms can provide protection against CMV during vaginal, anal, and oral intercourse. But, kissing and other intimate touching can spread the virus.
Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea
is caused by the bacterium
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
, which is transmitted during vaginal, oral, or anal sexual intercourse. It can cause sterility,
arthritis
, and heart problems in both men and women.
- Treatment—Both partners can be treated successfully with antibiotics. People with gonorrhea often have other STIs, like chlamydia. Infections are treated at the same time.
- Protection—Condoms offer very good protection against gonorrhea.
Hepatitis B Virus
Hepatitis B virus
(HBV)
can cause lifelong infection,
cirrhosis
(scarring) of the liver,
liver cancer
, liver failure, and death.
- Treatment—There is no cure, but in most cases the infection clears within 4-8 weeks. If a chronic infection develops, treatments are available for suppressing the virus. But, some people remain contagious for the rest of their lives.
- Protection—Condoms offer some protection against HBV during vaginal, anal, and oral intercourse. But, the virus can be passed through kissing and other intimate touching. Hepatitis B vaccine can prevent this disease.
Herpes Simplex Virus
Both
herpes simplex virus-1
(HSV-1)
and
herpes simplex virus-2
(HSV-2) can be sexually transmitted. (HSV-1 is most often associated with cold sores and fever blisters). Like many other viruses, the HSV remains in the body for life. HSV can cause miscarriage or preterm delivery. If active herpes infections are present during childbirth, newborn infants may suffer health problems.
- Treatment—There is no cure but symptoms and recurrences can be treated with medicines.
- Protection—Use condoms to help prevent the spread of genital herpes.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus
Human immunodeficiency virus
(HIV) is a virus that weakens the body’s ability to fight off infections and can cause
AIDS. This compromised immune system can make a carrier more susceptible to
pneumonia
,
cancer
, and a variety of infections. Like many other viruses, HIV remains in the body for life.
- Treatment—There is no cure. But, HIV and many AIDS-related conditions can be managed to some extent with a variety of treatments. AIDS is no longer fatal to everyone who has it.
- Protection—Condoms offer very good protection against HIV.
Human Papilloma Virus
Human papilloma virus
(HPV) is a family of more than 100 common viruses. HPV can cause genital warts. The virus is easily spread during oral, genital, or anal sex with an infected partner. Some of these viruses are associated with
cervical cancer
.
- Treatment—There is no cure for HPV. But, genital warts can be treated or removed in a number of ways including: medicine and procedures like cryosurgery (freezing the wart with liquid nitrogen).
- Protection—Condoms may offer some protection against genital HPVs. But, the viruses may "shed" beyond the area protected by a condom. There is also an HPV vaccine for both males and females.
Molluscum Contagiosum
Molluscum contagiosum
can be transmitted by nonsexual, intimate contact. Small, pinkish-white, waxy, round polyps grow in the genital area or on the thighs, and there is often a tiny depression in the middle of the growth.
Molluscum contagiosum
belongs to a family of viruses called poxviruses, and it is generally spread by skin-to-skin contact. It can be spread sexually if growths are present in the genital area.
- Treatment—Growths may be removed with chemicals, electrical current, or freezing.
- Protection—Condoms may offer some protection against Molluscum contagiosum , but the virus may "shed" beyond the area protected by the condom.
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Pelvic inflammatory disease
(PID) is a progressive infection that harms a woman's reproductive system. It is usually caused by a chlamydia or gonorrhea infection. It can lead to sterility, ectopic pregnancy, and chronic pain. PID is often caused by STIs, like gonorrhea and chlamydia.
- Treatment—Antibiotics are given.
- Protection—Condoms offer very good protection against infections commonly associated with PID.
Pubic Lice
Pubic lice
are tiny parasitic insects that are generally found in the genital area of humans. Pubic lice are usually spread through sexual contact. Rarely, infestation can be spread through contact with an infested person's bed linens, towels, or clothes.
- Treatment —Over-the-counter medicine is available to treat anyone who may have been exposed to pubic lice. All bedding, towels, and clothing that may have been exposed should be thoroughly washed or dry cleaned, and the home should be vacuumed.
- Protection —Limiting the number of intimate and sexual contacts can help.
Scabies
Scabies
is an infestation of the skin with the microscopic mite
Sarcoptes scabei.
It is often sexually transmitted. However, school children often pass it to one another through casual contact.
- Treatment—Over-the-counter medicine is available to treat anyone who may have been exposed to scabies. All bedding, towels, and clothing that may have been exposed should be thoroughly washed or dry cleaned, and the home should be vacuumed.
- Protection—Limiting the number of intimate and sexual contacts can help. Also, avoid close physical contact or sharing clothing, towels, or bedding with anyone who has either scabies or an undiagnosed itchy rash—especially a rash that has been present for over a week.
Syphilis
Syphilis
is caused by the bacterium
Treponema pallidum
. It is passed from person-to- person through direct contact with syphilis sores, which occur mainly on the external genitals, vagina, anus, or in the rectum. Sores also can occur on the lips and in the mouth. If left untreated, the syphilis can remain in the body for life and lead to disfigurement, neurologic disorder, and death.
- Treatment—Antibiotics are successful for both partners. But, damage caused by the disease in the later phases cannot be undone.
- Protection—Condoms offer good protection during vaginal, anal, and oral intercourse.
Trichomoniasis
Trichomoniasis
is a condition caused by a protozoan—a microscopic, one-cell organism. It is a common cause of vaginal infections. It is spread through vaginal intercourse.
- Treatment—Antibiotics are successful for both men and women.
- Protection—Condoms offer good protection.
RESOURCES
Sexually Transmitted Diseases Centers for Disease Control and Prevention http://www.cdc.gov/std/
Planned Parenthood Federation of America http://www.plannedparenthood.org/
CANADIAN RESOURCES
Sex Information and Education Council of Canada http://www.sieccan.org/
Sexualityandu.ca http://www.sexualityandu.ca/
References
Alan R. Genital herpes. EBSCO Health Library website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/healthLibrary/ . Updated April 6, 2010. Accessed July 9, 2010.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists website. Available at: http://www.acog.org/ .
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines, 2010. MMWR 2010;59(No. RR-12):1-110.
Epigee. Having sex during your period: Q&A. Epigee website. Available at: http://www.epigee.org/menstruation/sex.html . Accessed July 9, 2010.
Genital herpes and your baby. Pregnancy Info.net website. Available at: http://www.pregnancy-info.net/stds%5Fherpes%5Fpregnancy.html . Accessed July 9, 2010.
Komaroff AL. Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster; 1999.
Ronco G, Segnan N, Giorgi-Rossi P, et al, for the New Technologies for Cervical Cancer Working Group. Human papillomavirus testing and liquid-based cytology: results at recruitment from the new technologies for cervical cancer randomized controlled trial. J Natl Cancer Inst . 2006;98:765-774.
