| ||
Friendly Print preview
Further STD Patient Information Sheets: resource list Are You at Risk for STDs? A Simple Guide to Understanding and Preventing Sexually
Transmissible Diseases Any infection which can be passed from one person to another during sex is called a sexually transmissible disease. Most STDs are caused by microscopic organisms like viruses, bacteria or parasites. They can be passed on during vaginal, anal or oral sex. Some are caused by larger organisms like lice or mites, and can be passed on during any intimate contact. STDs can cause a wide range of problems for people who catch them, from a mild irritation to serious illness. Some, like gonorrhoea and chlamydia, are a major cause of infertility, especially in women. AIDS, which is caused by HIV, a sexually transmissible virus, is at present an incurable and generally fatal disease. What Are the Most Common STDs? Bacterial Vaginosis Cause: One or more of a number of bacteria of the vagina, most commonly Gardnerella vaginalis Spread by: The way bacterial vaginosis spreads is not known. It is believed to be due to changes in the vagina during and after sex, but it is not a true STD. Signs: Any unusual vaginal discharge or odour which has not been caused by thrush, trichomoniasis or other infections. Treatment: A course of antibiotics. Chlamydia (Chlamydia can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in women.) Cause: A bacterium called Chlamydia trachomatis. Spread by: Vaginal, anal or oral sex. Signs: Often there are no signs. In women, there may be extra vaginal discharge or pain when urinating. Signs of PID include lower abdominal pain, pain during intercourse, and fever, but even PID can be without symptoms. Chlamydia is a serious illness for women, since PID can damage the fallopian tubes and lead to infertility. PID may need treatment in hospital. In men, chlamydia infection appears as non-specific urethritis (NSU). Treatment: If treated early, a course of antibiotics,
which may need repeating. PID may require hospital treatment. For
men, treatment is as for NSU. Genital Herpes Cause: A virus called herpes simplex virus (HSV). Spread by: Vaginal, anal or oral sex, or direct skin-to-skin contact. Signs: Clusters of small blisters on the genitals, sometimes accompanied by pain (occasionally severe) or flu-like symptoms. Blisters can also appear around the mouth. The blisters break down into small ulcers and then heal in a few days. The virus remains in the body and can cause recurrent outbreaks, usually of decreasing frequency and severity. Some people experience serious illness during a first outbreak of herpes. Treatment: HSV infection cannot be cured, but treatment
with Acyclovir will ease symptoms and pain and reduce outbreaks.
Herpes outbreaks can be linked to stress and poor diet. Gonorrhoea Cause: A bacterium called Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Spread by: Vaginal, anal or oral sex. Can affect the cervix, urethra, rectum, throat or the conjunctiva of the eyes. Signs: In men, pain when urinating, plus a pus-like white or yellow discharge from the penis (urethral) or anus (rectal), or, possibly, a sore throat (pharyngeal). Rectal, cervical and pharyngeal gonorrhoea often have no signs. Women may experience pain when urinating, and sometimes a heavier-than-usual vaginal discharge. Gonorrhoea can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease in women. Treatment: Usually a large single dose of an
appropriate antibiotic. Some strains are resistant to penicillin
and require more intensive treatment. Hepatitis B Cause: A virus called hepatitis B virus (HBV), which infects the liver. Spread by: Vaginal, anal or oral sex. Also commonly spread through needle-sharing among injecting drug users. Signs: Signs of HBV infection vary from none at all to severe illness with yellowing of skin and eyes (jaundice), fever, loss of appetite, tiredness and pain in the joints. Some people (about 10%) become chronic carriers and may infect others. Carrier mothers may transmit the infection to infants. Chronic carriers may develop permanent liver damage or liver cancer later in life. Treatment: There is no really effective treatment for Hepatitis; illness often lasts months but usually passes eventually with rest. Vaccine: Hepatitis is the only STD which can be
prevented with a vaccine. This involves a course of injections;
any doctor or clinic can arrange it. The vaccine is safe and
effective in nearly all people. HIV (Can Lead to AIDS - Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) Cause: A virus called the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which attacks the cells of the immune system. Spread by: Vaginal or anal sex. Also needle-sharing during injecting drug use. Signs of HIV Infection: HIV infection often causes no signs for up to ten years. It is most commonly detected through HIV antibody testing. Signs include unexplained weight loss and persistent tiredness; heavy sweating at night; persistent or recurring diarrhoea; swollen glands in the neck, armpits and groin. Signs of AIDS: There are many possible signs of AIDS, but the most common are: shortness of breath, persistent dry cough; red or purple skin lesions and fatigue over an extended period of time. Treatment: When confirmed by antibody testing, HIV
infection may be treated with zidovudine (AZT) or other new drugs
to delay onset of AIDS. AIDS is still an incurable disease,
although some infections occurring in AIDS may be treatable for a
time. Non-Specific Urethritis (NSU) Cause: Any one of a number of organisms; any inflammation of the male urethra not caused by gonorrhoea is classed as NSU. Spread by: Vaginal, anal or oral sex. Signs: Pain when urinating, plus a slight white or clear discharge from the penis. Sometimes there will be no signs. Treatment: Usually a 10 to 15 day course of
antibiotics. Parasites Amoebiasis and Similar Conditions Cause: Microscopic parasites such as amoebas (Entamoeba histolytica) or Giardia lamblia, or bacteria such as shigella, which infect the intestines. Spread by: Anal or oral sex or oral-anal contact. Signs: Persistent or recurring diarrhoea. Treatment: A 7 to 10 day course of antibiotics is
usually effective. Pubic Lice (Crabs) Cause: Infestation by lice (Phthirus pubis). Spread by: Any intimate contact, not necessarily sexual. Signs: Itchiness in the pubic hair or occasionally other hairy parts of the body. Close examination shows tiny crab-like lice. May be accompanied by other, unsuspected STDs. Treatment: Effective lotions and shampoos are available
from chemists without prescription. Clothes, towels and bedding
must be washed. Scabies Cause: Infestation by mites (Sarcoptes scabiei). Spread by: Any intimate contact, not necessarily sexual. Signs: Severe itchiness in any hairy part of the body or other places such as wrists, forearms or penis. Treatment: Effective lotions and shampoos are available
from chemists without prescription. Clothes, towels and bedding
must be washed. Syphilis Cause: A bacterium called Treponema pallidum. Spread by: Vaginal, anal or oral sex. Signs: A painless sore on the penis or in the vagina, rectum or throat, which may take as long as three months to develop after infection. This may be undetected, and clears up within a few weeks. Secondary signs, after three to 12 weeks, may include a rash on the palms and soles or a flu-like illness. Treatment: A 10 to 15 day course of antibiotics.
Untreated syphilis can cause serious illness many years later. It
can be passed by infected mothers to their new-born children. Thrush (Candidiasis) Cause: A fungus called Candida albicans. Commonly causes a vaginal infection and is sometimes sexually transmitted. Signs: In women, an abnormal white or yellow vaginal discharge, with inflammation and itching. In men, an itchy rash on the head of the penis or foreskin. Treatment: A course of anti-fungal cream is usually
effective. Trichomoniasis Cause: A parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis. Spread by: Vaginal sex. Signs: In men, nearly always no signs at all. In women, a yellowish discharge from the vagina, with an unpleasant smell, plus itchiness in the vagina. Treatment: A course of antibiotics. Warts Cause: A virus called human papilloma virus (HPV). Spread by: Vaginal or anal sex or other direct contact. Signs: Small, painless cauliflower-shaped lumps (warts) may appear on the penis, on the vulva or cervix or in or around the anus. On the penis they are usually visible, but genital warts in women or anal warts in either sex may be undetected. If untreated they may continue to grow and spread. Infection by wart virus may occur without the development of actual warts. Once HPV infection has been diagnosed in women, they should have Pap smears every six months. Treatment: Warts often require more than one treatment.
Freezing, chemical painting, laser and diathermy are used. For
women, Pap smears every six months are necessary to look for cell
changes. What Should I Do if I Think I Have an STD? If you have any of the signs mentioned, or if you have had sex (particularly vaginal or anal sex without a condom) with a person who you later learn has an STD, you may have an STD. You should do the following things.
STD Services If you need further information, advice or counselling,
contact the following:
North
East Valley Division General Practice, Victoria,
Australia, Disclaimer |
|
