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Chapter Eighteen
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
The Major STD’s
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HIV/AIDS
Chlamydia
Gonorrhea
Herpes Simplex
• Syphilis
• Pelvic Inflammatory
Disease
• Hepatitis
• HPV (genital warts)
HIV Infection
• It is estimated that more than 60 million people
have been infected with HIV
• By 2004, it is estimated that 1 million Americans
are living with HIV
• HIV infection continues to spread, even though
death rates have declined among Americans,
however, a cure has not been discovered
What is HIV?
(Human Immuno-Deficiency Virus)
• Cause – HIV, virus that attacks the CD4 T cells of
the immune system
• Spread
– direct contact involving the exchange of bodily fluids (blood, semen, vaginal
secretions)
– through infected blood products
– prenatal transmission (mother to fetus) or during breast-feeding
HIV Infection (cont.)
(Human Immuno-Deficiency Virus
• Following several weeks after becoming infected, about half of
those develop flu-like symptoms (Primary Infection Phase)
• Experts believe that half of all HIV cases are spread during this
phase
• The next phase is known as the Chronic Asymptomatic Stage
which can last 2-20 years
• During this time, the virus is progressively infecting and
destroying cells of the immune system
Populations of Special Concern for
HIV Infection
• Although the transmission of HIV occurs through
specific individual behaviors, high levels of infection
within certain groups are tied to social, cultural, and
economic factors
• Such groups that are affected are:
• Women
• Gay men
• Men who are having sex with other men but do not considered
themselves ‘gay’
• Minorities
• Poor
HIV Symptoms
• Most infected people are asymptomatic or can remain
symptom-free for years, even though antibodies have been
formed within weeks of infection
• Eventually the following may appear (HIV with symptoms)
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tiredness
fever
loss of appetite/weight
diarrhea
night sweats
swollen glands
Diagnosis of HIV Infection
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Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)
Western BLOT test
HIV Replication Capacity (viral fitness)
Rapid HIV test, home tests, and non-blood tests are currently
available
Diagnosing AIDS
• AIDS is the more severe form of HIV Infection
• A diagnosis of AIDS has been made if a person
is:
• HIV positive
• Developed an infection as an AIDS indicator
• Has a severely damaged immune system based upon the
number of CD4 T cells
Treatment for HIV/AIDS
• No cure at this time
• Combination drugs reverse transcriptase inhibitors and
protease inhibitors; both assist the body by disallowing
replication of the virus in various cycles
• Fusion inhibitors
How Can You Protect Yourself ?
• Learn the sexual history and HIV status of your
partner
• Limit the number of sexual partners
• Use lubricated condoms correctly and consistently
• Avoid contact with body fluids
• Curtail the use of drugs
Prevention of HIV Infection, cont’d
• Never share hypodermic needles
• Refrain from sex with known injectable drug
users
• Get regular tests for STD’s
• Participate in an HIV Education Program
Chlamydia
• Chlamydia (bacterium) – most prevalent in the U.S.
• Symptoms in males include:
• Painful urination
• Slight watery discharge
• Pain in the testes
• Symptoms in women include:
• Vaginal discharge
• Burning urination
• Lower abdominal pain
• Diagnosis: urine sample
• Treatment: antibiotics
Gonorrhea
• Gonorrhea (bacteria) – estimated 700,000 new
cases in the United States annually
• Symptoms for men:
• Urethritis (yellowish discharge)
• Swollen lymph glands of the groin
• Symptoms for women:
• Most females are asymptomatic but will have some discharge
and pain during urination
• Diagnosis: culture from urine or discharge sample
• Treatment: antibiotics
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
• PID occurs when the initial infection of either
gonorrhea or chlamydia enters beyond the cervix
• Even if the disease is treated successfully, 25% of
women will have long-term problems
• PID is the leading cause of infertility for young women
• Diagnosis usually requires a pelvic exam and lab tests
• Treatment is usually with antibiotics
Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
• HPV (virus) – genital warts which can lead to
cervical cancer in women and penile cancer in
men
• HPV is very contagious and difficult to control
since many infected people seem to be
asymptomatic
• Symptoms include: growths that cause irritation
and bleeding
• Diagnosis: appearance of the lesions or biopsy
• Treatment: cryosurgery or laser surgery
Genital Herpes
• Caused by HS2 (Herpes Simplex 2 virus) which is
sexually transmitted even though the partner may
appear asymptomatic
• Herpes lesions may contain and transmit HIV
• Symptoms include: flu-like symptoms accompanied
with painful lesions around the genitals
• Diagnosis: sample of fluid from lesions or blood test
• Treatment: antiviral medications reduce symptoms even
though a cure is not available
Hepatitis A, B, C
• Virus
• Inflammation of the liver
• Symptoms – fever, nausea, abdominal pain, jaundice
– Type A – associated with fecal contamination of food due to poor food handling
– Type B – sexual contact, IV drug use, tattooing, piercing
– Type C – similar to type B
Hepatitis B
• Inflammation of the liver which can cause serious
damage and sometimes result in death
• Transmitted by blood and bodily secretions
• Symptoms: many people do not have physical
symptoms (silent symptoms), but may develop flu-like
symptoms within several weeks of exposure
• Diagnosis: blood tests
• Prevention: vaccinations and preventive measures
against infected bodily fluids
Syphilis
• Caused by a spirochete (thin, corkscrew shaped
bacterium)
• Transmitted by passing the pathogen through breaks in
the skin or mucous membranes via kissing, or sexual
activity
• Symptoms are the presence of ‘chancre’ or sores that
are usually painless
• Late Syphilis can damage many organs of the body,
which eventually can lead to death
• Diagnosis: blood test
• Treatment: antibiotics
Other Prevalent STD’s
• Vaginal infections (yeast) – can cause thrush, allowing
colored discharges and itching. Protozoan infections are
“trichomonisis.”
• Bacterial vaginosis – common cause of abnormal vaginal
discharge
• Chancroid - bacterial infection, creating sores on the
genitals
• Public lice – ‘crabs’ that are highly contagious and feed on
blood in and around the hairs
• Scabies – parasites that deposit eggs beneath the skin,
creating an intense itch
What Can You Do?
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Education
Get Vaccinated
Be Alert for possible symptoms
Get Tested
Inform your partners
Get Treatment
Chapter Eighteen
Sexually Transmitted Diseases