Download Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Fifteen
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Sexually Transmitted
Infections
• More than 25 sexually transmitted
infectious organisms can be passed from
person to person through sexual activities
• Bacterial STIs are often curable
• Viral STIs are not curable
The STI Epidemic
• STIs are the most common infections
reported in the U.S.
• STIs comprise 87% of the cases of
infectious diseases reported to CDC
• U.S. has the highest STI rates among
industrialized nations
• By age 24, 1 in 3 sexually active people has had
an STI
• Incidence
• Prevalence
Who Is Affected:
Disparities Among Groups
• Gender disparities
• Age disparities
• Racial and ethnic disparities
Behavioral Factors Contributing
to STI Transmission
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Early initiation of intimate sexual activity
Numerous sex partners
High-risk sex partners
High risk sexual behavior
Inconsistent and incorrect condom use
Substance abuse
Sexual coercion
Lack of knowledge of and concern about STIs
Social Factors Contributing to
STI Transmission
• Poverty and marginalization
• Access to health care
• Secrecy and moral conflict about sexuality
Biological Factors Contributing
to STI Transmission
• Asymptomatic nature
• Resistance to treatment or lack of a cure
• Other: douching, immature cervix,
uncircumcised penis
Consequences of STIs
• Women, men, and infants affected
• Presence of STIs increases HIV risk
• Untreated STIs have serious
consequences
– Infertility/ sterility
• Untreated Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
causes 15% of women’s infertility
• Ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage
– Blindness
– Cancer, heart disease
Principal Bacterial STIs
• Chlamydia
– Responsible for 80% of women’s tubal infertility
– Infects 2.8 million Americans each year
• Gonorrhea
– 700,000 Americans contract gonorrhea each year
– Can cause sterility in both men and women
• Syphilis
– Infection has stages that indicate progression of
infection
– Can lead to brain damage and death in newborns
• Urinary tract infections
– Caused by several different bacteria
Sexually Transmitted
Infections
• Bacterial STIs are often curable
• Viral STIs are not curable
Principal Viral STIs
• Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
– 20 million carriers, 5.5 million new cases yearly
– Treatment and vaccine
• Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV)
– 45 million Americans infected
– Managing symptoms
• Hepatitis A, B, C
– Viral disease of liver
– One third of Americans show evidence of past
infection
Other Infections
• Bacterial vaginosis
– Caused by overabundance of Gardnerella bacteria
– Treat with antibiotics
• Candidiasis: Yeast Infections
– Many factors contribute to infection
– Men and women can carry the organism
• Trichomoniasis
– Most common curable STI in young women
– Men and women can carry the organism
Other STIs
•
•
•
•
•
•
Chancroid
Cytomegalovirus
Enteric infections
Granuloma inguinale
Lymphogranuloma venereum
Molluscum contagiosum
Parasites
• Pubic lice: Phthirus pubis; commonly
known as crabs
• Scabies: mite Sarcoptes scabiei
• Both can be transmitted non-sexually via
clothes, towels, bedding
STIs and Women
• Women’s anatomy increases susceptibility
• Pelvic inflammatory disease - PID
– Infection of fallopian tubes spreads
– One of the leading causes of female infertility
– Caused by some types of STI bacteria
• Cystitis: bladder infection
– Often related to sexual activity; not an STI
– Can create pain and damage kidneys
Avoiding STIs
• Practice abstinence
• Practice sexual
exclusivity
• Reduce risk during
sexual activity
• Select partners
carefully
• Avoid multiple
partners
• Avoid injecting drugs
• Get vaccinated
• Protect babies
• Be a good
communicator
Treating STIs
• Recognize STI symptoms
• Seek treatment
• Get partners to treatment
Summary
•
•
•
•
•
STIs are epidemic
STIs are linked to behavior
Principle STIs
STIs and women
Preventing STIs