Download STDs - Carone Fitness

Lesson 5.1
STDs
By Carone
Fitness
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
The Silent Epidemic
An epidemic is an outbreak of
an infectious disease that
affects a large population.
Epidemics have afflicted
people since the beginning of
time, not only in the U.S. but
throughout the world.
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Sexually Transmitted Diseases
The Silent Epidemic
Research and technological advances
have helped wipe out those infectious
diseases. However, now our country
is faced with a new epidemic,
sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs).
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
The Silent Epidemic
About 12 million new cases of STDs
are reported each year in the U.S. Yet
there are likely millions more that go
unreported.
People fail to report STDs because
they are embarrassed to talk about
them; therefore, they have become
known as the “silent” epidemic.
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Sexually Transmitted Diseases
The Silent Epidemic
One myth about STDs is that
they do not affect teenagers.
However, 2/3 of all STD cases
occur in teens or young adults.
The Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC)
estimate that 1 out of every 4
sexually active teenagers will
be infected with a STD before
graduation.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
The Silent Epidemic
The occurrence of STDs in teenagers
is greatly influenced by behaviors that
many teens engage in. These risk
factors include:
Having more than one sexual
partner rather than committing to a
single, long-term relationship.
Participating in unprotected sex.
Selecting partners who are at a
higher risk, such as those who
have a history of multiple partners
or intravenous drug use.
Not seeking medical help to treat
the infection.
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Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Myths
Myth: You can get STDs only
if you have multiple sexual
partners.
Fact: You can get an STD
from your first sexual
experience.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Myths
Myth: STDs can easily be cleared up
with antibiotics.
Fact: Some types of STDs are
incurable and will persist throughout
your lifetime.
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Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Myths
Myth: Once the symptoms go away,
the disease is cured.
Fact: You can still have an STD, even
if the symptoms are gone.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Myths
Myth: Once you get an STD,
you can’t get it again.
Fact: No one can become
immune to an STD.
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Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Common STDs
Chlamydia is a bacteria-caused infection that affects the vagina in
females and the urethra in males.
Chlamydia is the most common STD in the United States.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Chlamydia
In males, the symptoms of Chlamydia include pain and burning during
urination and an unusual discharge from the penis.
In females, the symptoms are not always obvious. If they do exist, they
include an unusual discharge from the vagina, pain in the pelvic region,
and painful urination.
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Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Chlamydia
If Chlamydia goes untreated, it can lead to other severe infections or even
sterility. Sterility is the inability to conceive children.
Chlamydia is diagnosed through a laboratory test, and antibiotics can cure it.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is a bacteria-caused infection that affects the mucous
membrane of the male urethra and the female cervix. The symptoms of
gonorrhea are very subtle, especially in females.
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Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Gonorrhea
In males, the symptoms may include a whitish discharge from the penis
and a burning sensation during urination. The lymph nodes in the groin
may become swollen and tender.
In females, the symptoms may include a slight discharge from the vagina,
a burning sensation during urination, abnormal menstruation, and
abdominal pain or tenderness.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Gonorrhea
The symptoms usually arise somewhere between 3 days and 3 weeks after
sexual contact with an infected person. The symptoms may go away on
their own, but the disease is still present.
To diagnosis gonorrhea, the discharge from the penis or vagina must be
examined under a microscope.
Gonorrhea can be cured with antibiotics.
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Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Genital Warts
Genital warts are pink, cauliflower-like warts that appear on the genitals.
The virus that causes genital warts is called the human papilloma virus
(HPV).
An infected person can never get rid of the virus. A physician may be able
to remove the warts, but they may reappear.
Treatment may also include a prescription for a skin medication that is
applied to the warts.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Genital Herpes
Genital herpes are blister-like sores on the genitals. The virus that causes
genital herpes is called the herpes simplex type 2 virus. Like genital warts,
genital herpes cannot be cured.
The virus can spread to other areas of the body with the help of moisture
and friction, so it is important that an infected person keep the afflicted area
dry.
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Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Genital Herpes
An infected person should be careful not to touch the area and then touch
other areas of the body.
The blisters have bouts of appearing and disappearing. Periods of stress
often lead to an outbreak of the blisters.
An infected person is advised not to have sexual contact when blisters are
present or right after they disappear in order to prevent spreading the
infection to others.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Syphilis
Syphilis is caused by a small bacterium called a spirochete that attacks
many parts of the body. If left untreated, this STD can be very dangerous.
It can damage vital organs, such as the heart, the liver, the kidneys, and
the central nervous system. Eventually, it can lead to heart disease,
blindness, paralysis, and insanity.
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Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Syphilis
Syphilis develops in stages. If treated in the early stages, syphilis can be
cured.
Symptoms of syphilis appear and then disappear on their own. Therefore,
even if the symptoms are gone, it is important not to assume that the
disease is also gone.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Syphilis
Primary Stage
The first sign of syphilis is a reddish, painless sore called a chancre. This
chancre is the site where the pathogen entered the body, which is most
commonly the genitals. It usually emerges 10-90 days after contact with an
infected person. The chancre will usually last 1-5 weeks and then
disappear, even if it is untreated.
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Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Syphilis
Secondary Stage
If not treated, the pathogen will circulate in the bloodstream. The symptoms
of the second stage include the development of a non-itching rash on the
chest, back of the arms, and the legs. Sores then form within the rash. The
sores usually give off a clear liquid filled with the infectious spirochetes.
This makes the infection extremely contagious.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Syphilis
Other common symptoms include a fever, sore throat, and general malaise.
Even without treatment, these symptoms will disappear, but the infection
remains.
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Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Syphilis
Latent Stage
This stage could be deemed the calm before the storm. This stage usually
occurs 2-3 years after the person was initially infected. The symptoms
completely disappear, lulling the person into a false sense of security. Many
begin to doubt that they even had the disease. However, during this stage,
the spirochetes begin to slowly but steadily attack the heart, blood vessels,
and central nervous system.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Syphilis
Neurosyphilis Stage
If untreated, the disease enters the neurosyphilis stage. This stage normally
begins within 10-30 years of the initial infection. By this time, the
spirochetes have severely damaged the heart, skin, brain, and spinal cord.
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Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Syphilis
The effects of syphilis may include:
Loss of muscle coordination
Blindness
Insanity
Loss of mental abilities
Paralysis
Convulsions
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Syphilis
Syphilis in its final stage can be
treated, but it cannot be cured.
This is why early detection and
treatment is vital.
Syphilis is diagnosed by a blood
test, which determines whether
or not spirochetes are present
in the blood.
In its early stages, syphilis is
treated with penicillin.
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Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Prevention
The best and most effective
way to prevent against sexuallytransmitted diseases is to
practice abstinence.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Prevention
If do you become infected with an STD,
it is your responsibility to help prevent
spreading the disease.
The first step is to seek medical
attention to treat the disease.
Then you should notify all the people
with whom you have had sexual
contact. Describe the symptoms they
should look for, the risks involved, and
encourage them to have a medical
checkup.
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Presented
By Carone
Fitness
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