IV. Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)

STD

Sexually Transmitted Disease, an infection transmitted through sexual contact.

Gonorrhea

A bacterial STD caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, leading to symptoms such as painful urination and discharge.

Chlamydia

A bacterial STD caused by Chlamydia trachomatis, often asymptomatic and a leading cause of infertility.

Genital Herpes

A viral STD caused by HSV-1 and HSV-2, characterized by painful lesions on the genitalia.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

A common viral STD with over 40 strains, some of which can lead to cancer.

Zika Virus

A virus spread mainly by infected mosquitoes, known to cause birth defects like microcephaly if contracted during pregnancy.

HIV

Human Immunodeficiency Virus, which leads to AIDS and is transmitted through body fluids.

AIDS

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, the final stage of HIV infection characterized by a severely compromised immune system.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

A complication from certain STDs like Gonorrhea, more common in women.

Antibiotic resistance

The ability of bacteria to resist the effects of drugs that once treated them effectively, a rising concern in STD treatment.

Prenatal transmission

Transmission of STDs from mother to fetus during pregnancy or delivery.

Reverse transcriptase

An enzyme packaged inside HIV that converts viral RNA into DNA.

Microcephaly

A birth defect associated with Zika infection in pregnant women, resulting in an abnormally small head in infants.

Condom

A barrier method used to reduce the likelihood of STD transmission during sexual activity.

CD4 T-cells

A type of immune cell primarily targeted and destroyed by HIV.

Viral STD

A sexually transmitted disease caused by a virus, often incurable, such as HIV or herpes.

Transmission during birth

The passing of STDs from mother to infant through contact during delivery.

Cesarean section

A surgical procedure to deliver a baby, often used to reduce STD transmission risks during delivery.

Azithromycin

An antibiotic commonly used to treat Chlamydia.

Incidence rate

The rate of new cases of a disease in a specific population during a given period.

Opportunistic infections

Infections that occur more frequently and are more severe in individuals with weakened immune systems, such as those with AIDS.

Infectious disease

An illness caused by a pathogen, which may be spread from person to person.

Genital warts

Growths on the genital area caused by certain strains of HPV.

Gardasil vaccine

A vaccine designed to protect against certain strains of HPV associated with cervical cancer and genital warts.

Public health

The health of the population as a whole, often encompassing the prevention of diseases through education and vaccination.

Sexual activity

Any behavior that involves sexual interaction or contact between individuals.

Bacterial STD

A sexually transmitted disease caused by bacteria that can often be treated with antibiotics.

Vaccine

A biological preparation that provides active acquired immunity to a particular infectious disease.

Incubation period

The time between exposure to an infection and the appearance of symptoms.

Transmission routes

Ways through which infectious diseases are transmitted, including sexual contact, blood, and from mother to child.

Prevention strategies

Methods used to reduce the risk of contracting STDs, including education and condom use.

Epidemic

A widespread occurrence of an infectious disease in a community at a particular time.

Asymptomatic

Lacking symptoms; often seen in individuals infected with certain STDs.

HIV-1

The most common and pathogenic strain of the HIV virus.

Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART)

A treatment regimen for HIV/AIDS that combines multiple antiretroviral medications.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV)

A virus that can cause disease in pregnant women and can be transmitted to the fetus.

Intrauterine infection

An infection that occurs before birth, transmitted from mother to fetus via the placenta.

Cervical cancer

A type of cancer that can be caused by persistent infection with high-risk strains of HPV.

Complications of STDs

Serious health issues resulting from untreated STDs, including infertility and chronic pain.

Gram-negative bacteria

A classification of bacteria that do not retain the crystal violet stain used in the Gram staining procedure, often associated with certain STDs.

Zoonosis

Diseases that are transmitted from animals to humans.

Latency

The ability of a virus, such as herpes, to remain dormant in the body before reactivation.

Skin-to-skin contact

Physical contact between skin surfaces, which can transmit infectious diseases during delivery.

Enveloped virus

A virus that has an outer lipid membrane, including HIV and the herpes viruses.

Infectious period

The time frame during which an infected person can transmit an infection to others.

Bacterial vaginosis

A disorder caused by an imbalance of bacteria in the vagina, sometimes confused with STDs.

Noble Prize in Physiology or Medicine

An award given for discoveries in the fields of life sciences such as HIV research.

MHC II

Major Histocompatibility Complex Class II proteins that present antigens to CD4 T-cells.

Opportunistic pathogens

Pathogens that exploit a weakened immune system, often leading to severe illness.