STDs

HIV Type

Virus

HIV - Signs & Symptoms

Swollen lymph glands, fever, night sweats, impaired mental functioning

HIV - Treatment

No cure; treated with antiretroviral therapy (ART) to manage infection and opportunistic infections

HIV - Vaccine Available

None

HIV - Portal of Entry

Contact with blood, semen, or vaginal fluids

HIV - Method of Testing

Antibody test (rapid finger prick or lab test)

HIV - Patient Education

Consistent ART use, healthy diet, exercise, avoid smoking/drugs/alcohol, practice safe sex

HIV - Fun Fact

Attacks CD4 white blood cells, weakening the immune system

Hepatitis C Type

Virus

Hepatitis C - Signs & Symptoms

Often none; abdominal pain, dark urine/stools, flu-like symptoms, jaundice

Hepatitis C - Treatment

Oral Direct-Acting Antivirals (DAAs)

Hepatitis C - Vaccine Available

No

Hepatitis C - Portal of Entry

Contact with infected blood, sharing needles, sexual contact

Hepatitis C - Method of Testing

Antibody test followed by RNA test

Hepatitis C - Patient Education

Avoid alcohol/drugs, eat healthy, don't share personal items, practice safe sex

Hepatitis C - Fun Fact

Leading cause of liver transplants

Hepatitis B Type

Virus

Hepatitis B - Signs & Symptoms

Often none; fatigue, fever, nausea, dark urine, jaundice

Hepatitis B - Treatment

Rest, proper nutrition, avoid liver-damaging substances

Hepatitis B - Vaccine Available

Yes

Hepatitis B - Portal of Entry

Blood and sexual transmission

Hepatitis B - Method of Testing

Blood test (HBsAg, HBsAb, HBcAb)

Hepatitis B - Patient Education

Avoid unprotected sex, sharing needles, sharing personal items

Hepatitis B - Fun Fact

Can survive outside the body for 7 days

Chlamydia Type

Bacteria

Chlamydia - Signs & Symptoms

Painful urination, whitish discharge; can cause infertility

Chlamydia - Treatment

Antibiotics

Chlamydia - Vaccine Available

No

Chlamydia - Portal of Entry

Genital, oral, and sexual contact

Chlamydia - Method of Testing

NAAT urine test or swab

Chlamydia - Patient Education

Get treated early to prevent complications

Chlamydia - Fun Fact

Often occurs with gonorrhea

Genital Warts (HPV) Type

Virus (HPV)

Genital Warts - Signs & Symptoms

Raised or flat genital warts; some HPV types cause cancer

Genital Warts - Treatment

Topical meds, cryotherapy, laser, or surgical removal

Genital Warts - Vaccine Available

Yes

Genital Warts - Portal of Entry

Sexual contact

Genital Warts - Method of Testing

Visual exam or HPV test

Genital Warts - Patient Education

Get HPV vaccine, practice safe sex, routine screening

Genital Warts - Fun Fact

Over 100 types of HPV

Gonorrhea Type

Bacteria

Gonorrhea - Signs & Symptoms

Painful urination, yellow discharge, pelvic or testicular pain

Gonorrhea - Treatment

Antibiotics

Gonorrhea - Vaccine Available

No

Gonorrhea - Portal of Entry

Genital, oral, or anal contact

Gonorrhea - Method of Testing

Urine test or swab

Gonorrhea - Patient Education

Avoid unprotected sex; test for chlamydia

Gonorrhea - Fun Fact

Nicknamed "The Clap"

Genital Herpes Type

Virus

Genital Herpes - Signs & Symptoms

Painful blisters or sores lasting 2-3 weeks

Genital Herpes - Treatment

No cure; antivirals reduce severity

Genital Herpes - Vaccine Available

No

Genital Herpes - Portal of Entry

Contact with sores or infected fluids

Genital Herpes - Method of Testing

Blood test or swab of sores

Genital Herpes - Patient Education

Avoid sex during outbreaks; take medication

Genital Herpes - Fun Fact

Common worldwide, especially Sub-Saharan Africa

Molluscum Contagiosum Type

Virus

Molluscum Contagiosum - Signs & Symptoms

Small shiny bumps with central dimples

Molluscum Contagiosum - Treatment

Removal by healthcare provider

Molluscum Contagiosum - Vaccine Available

No

Molluscum Contagiosum - Portal of Entry

Skin-to-skin contact

Molluscum Contagiosum - Method of Testing

Visual diagnosis

Molluscum Contagiosum - Patient Education

Often resolves on its own

Molluscum Contagiosum - Fun Fact

Not exclusively an STD

Pubic Lice Type

Lice

Pubic Lice - Signs & Symptoms

Intense itching, visible nits

Pubic Lice - Treatment

Medicated shampoos (pyrethrins)

Pubic Lice - Vaccine Available

No

Pubic Lice - Portal of Entry

Body-to-body contact

Pubic Lice - Method of Testing

Visual exam with magnification

Pubic Lice - Patient Education

Wash clothes and linens in hot water

Pubic Lice - Fun Fact

Adapted specifically to pubic hair

Scabies Type

Mites

Scabies - Signs & Symptoms

Severe itching, small nodules

Scabies - Treatment

Topical medications

Scabies - Vaccine Available

No

Scabies - Portal of Entry

Prolonged skin contact

Scabies - Method of Testing

Skin scraping or burrow ink test

Scabies - Patient Education

Clean bedding/clothes; itching may persist

Scabies - Fun Fact

Rarely affects face or palms

Syphilis Type

Bacteria

Syphilis - Signs & Symptoms

Painless chancre, rash, hair loss

Syphilis - Treatment

Antibiotics

Syphilis - Vaccine Available

No

Syphilis - Portal of Entry

Breaks in the skin

Syphilis - Method of Testing

Blood tests and sore swab

Syphilis - Patient Education

Practice safe sex, regular testing

Syphilis - Fun Fact

Can be passed to fetus during pregnancy

Trichomoniasis Type

Protozoa

Trichomoniasis - Signs & Symptoms

Vaginal itching, odorous discharge

Trichomoniasis - Treatment

Antiparasitic medication

Trichomoniasis - Vaccine Available

No

Trichomoniasis - Portal of Entry

Urethra or vagina

Trichomoniasis - Method of Testing

NAAT urine or fluid test

Trichomoniasis - Patient Education

Finish meds, avoid alcohol, inform partners

Trichomoniasis - Fun Fact

Most common curable STI

Bacterial Vaginosis Type

Bacterial imbalance

Bacterial Vaginosis - Signs & Symptoms

Fishy-smelling vaginal discharge

Bacterial Vaginosis - Treatment

Metronidazole (Flagyl)

Bacterial Vaginosis - Vaccine Available

No