Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
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Sexually Transmitted Diseases
NIH - Sexually Transmitted Diseases “Also called: Sexually transmitted infections, STDs, Venereal disease Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are infections that you can get from having sex with someone who has the infection. The causes of STDs are bacteria, parasites and viruses. There are more than 20 types of STDs, including • Chlamydia • Gonorrhea • Herpes Simplex • HIV/AIDS • HPV • Syphilis • Trichomoniasis Most STDs affect both men and women, but in many cases the health problems they cause can be more severe for women. If a pregnant woman has an STD, it can cause serious health problems for the baby. If you have an STD caused by bacteria or parasites, your health care provider can treat it with antibiotics or other medicines. If you have an STD caused by a virus, there is no cure. Sometimes medicines can keep the disease under control. Correct usage of latex condoms greatly reduces, but does not completely eliminate, the risk of catching or spreading STDs.”
NIH - Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) “What are the different types of STDs? Researchers have identified more than 20 different kinds of STDs, which can fall into two main groups: STDs caused by bacteria - These diseases can be treated and often cured with antibiotics. Some bacterial STDs include: chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, and syphilis. STDs caused by viruses - These diseases can be controlled, but not cured. If you get a viral STD, you will always have it. Some viral STDs include: HIV/AIDS, genital herpes, genital warts, human papilloma virus (HPV), hepatitis B virus, and cytomegalovirus. What are the symptoms of STDs? The symptoms vary among the different types of STDs. Some examples of common symptoms include: Unusual discharge from the penis or vagina Sores or warts on the genital area Burning while urinating Itching and redness in the genital area Anal itching, soreness, or bleeding “
NHS - Sexually transmitted infections “Most conditions vary in their symptoms but the most common are listed below: Chlamydia In women, genital chlamydial infection often does not cause any symptoms. However, there may be non-specific symptoms such as cystitis, a change in the vaginal discharge, or mild lower abdominal pain. Men with chlamydia commonly experience a urethral discharge from the penis, and may have inflammation of the tube leading from the bladder to the tip of the penis (urethritis), or of the tube leading from the testes to the penis (epidymitis). This discomfort may then disappear but the infection can still be passed on to a sexual partner. Genital warts Many people who get the virus that leads to genital warts do not show any recognisable symptoms, and this is why the infection can go undiagnosed for a long time. However, if symptoms are present, they may include small white spots or lumps that are hidden inside the vagina or anus. Genital herpes Like genital warts, genital herpes is a condition that often presents no symptoms and can remain undiagnosed for long periods of time. Symptoms may show in the form of flu-like symptoms, itchiness, burning or tingling around the genitals, small, fluid-filled blisters that burst to leave sores, and pain when passing urine. Gonorrhoea Gonorrhoea is an infection that is found in both sexes and can affect the genitals, anus, rectum and throat. About half of all women infected with gonorrhoea, and over 90% of men experience symptoms, including a thin, watery discharge from the vagina or tip of the penis that can appear yellow or green, and pain when urinating. Syphilis The symptoms of syphilis usually begin with a small sore on the penis or vagina. Up to six months after the initial symptoms occur, you may experience flu-like symptoms, such as aching and shivering. HIV Many people do not develop any symptoms when they first become infected with HIV. Some people, however, get a flu-like illness within three to six weeks after exposure to the virus. The only way to know if you are HIV-positive is to have a test. Over time, infection with HIV weakens the immune system leading to difficulty fighting off certain infections. Non-specific urethritis Non-specific urethritis is an STI that affects men. It causes discomfort of the urethra (the tube that leads from the bladder to the tip of the penis, along which urine is passed), and a urethral discharge is also common. Trichomoniasis Trichomoniasis is an infection of the genitals that is caused by the bacterium trichomonas vaginalis (TV). The condition often has no symptoms, but symptoms may include a yellow or green discharge from the vagina with soreness. Men usually act as carriers and do not show symptoms. Pubic lice Symptoms of pubic lice include itchy skin, and you may notice black powder (lice droppings) in your underwear and white eggs. Scabies Scabies can occur anywhere on the body, but sometimes the signs are hard to see. Symptoms can appear weeks after first contact and include itching (especially at night), a rash, and tiny spots. Thrush Symptoms of thrush include intense itching around your penis or vagina, with a thick, white discharge, and the appearance of tiny white spots around the genitals. “
NHS - Condom negotiation (Video)
NIH - Sexually Transmitted Diseases – Multiple Languages “ Bosnian (Bosanski), Japanese, Somali (af Soomaali), Chinese - Simplified, Korean, Spanish (español), French (français), Portuguese (português), Tagalog (Tagalog), Hindi, Russian, Ukrainian“
Highlighted Articles
Regular chlamydia tests urged for young people “Young sexually active people should get themselves tested annually for the infection chlamydia and again every time they change partner, the Health Protection Agency said on Tuesday. Everyone should use a condom with a new partner until both have been screened, the agency warned as it published figures showing the number of sexual diseases diagnosed in Britain rose 6 percent last year. Young people were disproportionately affected, said Peter Borriello, Director of the HPA's Centre for Infections. "Substantial numbers of young people remain undiagnosed, untreated and unaware of the risk they pose both to their own health and that of their sexual partner," he added. People aged 18-24 form just one in eight of the population but account for around half of all newly diagnosed sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the UK.”
Repeat chlamydia infection common in girls “Because chlamydia often causes no symptoms or only mild ones, experts recommend that all sexually active women age 25 or younger be tested for the infection once a year. Those who test positive should be tested again 3 months later to catch any repeat infection. The current findings underscore the importance of frequently re-testing in adolescents, especially when there is a history of chlamydia, according to the researchers, led by Dr. Charlotte A. Gaydos of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. The results also suggest that school-based health clinics are a good place to offer these tests.“
Genital herpes. (Lancet. 2008) “Most genital HSV-2 infections are unrecognised and undiagnosed; infected individuals, even with mild symptoms, shed HSV, and can infect sexual partners. Since clinical diagnosis is neither sensitive nor specific, virological and type-specific serological tests should be used routinely. Oral antiviral drugs for HSV infections are safe and effective and can be used both to treat episodes and to prevent recurrences. Antiviral treatment of the infected partners and condom use reduce the risk of sexual transmission of HSV-2.”
Gonococcemia “Gonococcemia is defined as the presence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in the bloodstream, which can lead to the development of disseminated gonococcal infection (DGI). Gonorrhea is the second most often reported sexually transmitted disease (STD) in the United States behind chlamydia. About 600,000 people each year in the United States are infected, with only about half being reported.1 Gonococcemia occurs in about 0.5-3% of patients with gonorrhea. The clinical manifestations of this process are biphasic, with an early bacteremic phase consisting of tenosynovitis, arthralgias,2 and dermatitis, followed by a localized phase consisting of localized septic arthritis. Other potentially severe clinical complications include osteomyelitis, meningitis, endocarditis, adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS),3, 4 and fatal septic shock.5 Polymyositis is also a rare complication of gonococcemia. Patients who are pregnant or menstruating may be particularly prone to gonococcemia. Other populations that are at risk of infection include women and those with complement deficiencies, HIV, or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). DGI is an important, potentially life-threatening, and easily treatable clinical entity that remains the most common cause of acute septic arthritis in young sexually active adults.“
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Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
General Information
NEWS:
1 in 5 men who have sex with men in 21 U.S. cities has HIV; nearly half unaware
19 Million New Cases Of Sexually Transmitted Disease Annually In The USA “If an STD goes untreated or undetected, the risk of becoming infected with HIV is greater, there is a higher chance of having a serious health consequence, such as infertility. Gonorrhea and Chlamydia, if left untreated can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease in females, which can cause infertility. In fact, according to US health authorities, over 24,000 American women with an STD become infertile annually. Syphilis can lead to brain damage, as well as damage to the cardiovascular system and other organs, if left untreated. A pregnant woman can pass on her syphilis infection to her baby (congenital syphilis), causing stillbirth, perinatal death, neurological problems, and physical deformity. 40% of babies die if the pregnant mother has syphilis.”
African Studies Give Women Hope in H.I.V. Fight “Women who used a vaginal microbicidal gel containing an antiretroviral medication widely used to treat AIDS, tenofovir, were 39 percent less likely over all to contract H.I.V. than those who used a placebo. Those who used the gel most regularly reduced their chances of infection 54 percent, according to a two-and-a-half year study of 889 women by Caprisa, a Durban-based AIDS research center.”
CDC Issues 2010 Treatment Guidelines for Sexually Transmitted Diseases
CDC: Genital Herpes Rates Still High “One in six Americans between the ages of 14 and 49 have genital herpes and close to one in two black women are infected, new figures from the CDC reveal. … "It is important that we promote steps to prevent the spread of genital herpes, not only because herpes is a lifelong and incurable infection, but also because of the linkage between herpes and HIV infection." Research shows that people with genital herpes are two to three times more likely to acquire HIV and they are also more likely to transmit HIV infection to others. Douglas explained that the immunologic response at the site where herpes ulcers form act as a target for HIV infection even after the ulcers have disappeared. "If you come into contact with the HIV virus, even after the ulcers have healed, you may be more likely to become infected," he says. People who are dually infected with HIV and HSV-2 may also be especially likely to transmit the HIV virus to others during genital herpes flare-ups.”
Chlamydia Often Overlooked in Young Men
Circumcision may not cut HIV spread among gay men “Although studies in Africa have shown that circumcision can lower the spread of HIV among heterosexuals, it may not do much to prevent infections among gay and bisexual men in Western countries, a new study suggests. A number of studies in African nations have found that circumcised heterosexual men were up to 60 percent less likely than uncircumcised men to contract HIV during the study periods. But it is unclear whether circumcision could have an impact on HIV transmission in the U.S. or other Western countries, where much of the transmission is among men who have sex with men. There has so far been no good evidence that circumcision lowers HIV risk among these men.”
Congenital Syphilis --- United States, 2003--2008
Genital Herpes Affects Approximately 16% of Americans Aged 14 to 49 Years “Among those infected with HSV-2, 81.1% had not been diagnosed. Women and non-Hispanic blacks had the highest seroprevalence (20.9% and 39.2%, respectively), with prevalence among women almost twice that of men and prevalence 3 times higher among blacks than whites. Prevalence was lowest among Mexican-Americans. These data reinforce findings from previous research indicating that racial disparities are likely perpetuated because of the higher prevalence of infection within black communities, the authors note in a statement. As a result, they add, blacks are at greater risk of exposure to genital herpes with any given sexual encounter.”
Genital Herpes Virus Can Repeatedly Reactivate in Genital Tract
Gonorrhea Getting Harder to Treat “A new study shows that treating gonorrhea is becoming more difficult because the bacterium has become resistant to many antibiotics. If trends continue, researchers say there is a very real possibility that some strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae may become resistant to all current treatment options.”
HPV Causing "Slow Epidemic" of Oral Cancers “The key factors appear to be multiple sex partners, starting sexual activity at a younger age, and increased oral sex.”
HPV Might Not Act Like Other STDs
Men Who Have Sex With Men Have a 40-Fold Higher Risk for HIV, Syphilis
Some Sexual Lubricants Linked to Increased Risk for Chlamydia, Gonorrhea
STI risk higher for swingers than prostitutes
Study Finds HIV Drugs Help Prevent It, Too
Success Seen With Experimental Abstinence Program “An experimental abstinence-only program without a moralistic tone can delay teens from having sex, a provocative study found. Billed as the first rigorous research to show long-term success with an abstinence-only approach, the study differed from traditional programs that have lost federal and state support in recent years. The classes didn't preach saving sex until marriage or disparage condom use. Instead, it involved assignments to help sixth- and seventh graders see the drawbacks to sexual activity at their age, including having them list the pros and cons themselves. Their cons far outnumbered the pros.”
The downside of 'friends with benefits'
The Latest STD Treatment Guidelines
Treating Syphilis Without Penicillin
ARTICLES:
Chlamydia: The Hidden Dangers “The good news is that because chlamydia is caused by a bacterium, it can easily be cured with antibiotics. The bad news is you may not know you have it unless you get tested, because there may be few if any symptoms. About 75% of women and 50% of men have no symptoms at all.”
Sexually Transmitted Diseases in Men
Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs), Definitive Diagnosis and Management: Slideshow
JOURNAL ARTICLES:
A case of secondary syphilis presenting as optic neuritis. (Neurol Sci. 2010)
Bacterial Vaginosis: An Update on Diagnosis and Treatment (Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther. 2009)
[How did I contract human Papillomavirus (HPV)?] (Gynecol Obstet Fertil. 2010)
Oral Sex Is a Risk Factor for Human Papillomavirus-Associated Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma in Husbands of Women with Cervical Cancer. (Gynecol Obstet Invest. 2010)
Preexposure Chemoprophylaxis for HIV Prevention in Men Who Have Sex with Men (NEJM 2010)
Risk of sequelae after Chlamydia trachomatis genital infection in women. (J Infect Dis. 2010)
Syphilis: an important cause of infectious hepatitis. (Int J STD AIDS. 2010)
The behaviour and sexual health of young international travellers (backpackers) in Australia. (Sex Transm Infect. 2010)
Trichomonas vaginalis Prevalence, Incidence, Risk Factors and Antibiotic-Resistance in an Adolescent Population. (Sex Transm Dis. 2010)
Viral and bacterial aetiologies of male urethritis: findings of a high prevalence of Epstein-Barr virus. (Int J STD AIDS. 2010)
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