Sexually Transmitted Infections and Related Health Concerns

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and definitions related to sexually transmitted infections, substance use, injuries, and non-infectious diseases based on the lecture notes.

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

Infections spread through intimate sexual contact, including bacterial, viral, and protozoan organisms.

Gonorrhea

A bacterial STI caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, often resulting in painful urination and discharge.

Chlamydia

A bacterial STI caused by Chlamydia trachomatis, usually asymptomatic but can cause discharge and painful urination.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

An infection of the female reproductive organs, often caused by untreated STIs like gonorrhea or chlamydia.

Syphilis

A bacterial STI with four stages: primary (chancre sore), secondary (rash), latent (no symptoms), and tertiary (severe damage).

Genital Herpes

A sexually transmitted viral infection caused by HSV-1 or HSV-2, characterized by painful blisters and lifelong infections.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

A viral infection with over 40 genital types, some causing warts and others leading to cancers, especially cervical.

HIV/AIDS

A viral infection that integrates into DNA and primarily infects CD4 T cells, leading to immune system failure.

Substance Use Disorder (SUD)

A condition characterized by loss of control over substance use, with potential harmful consequences.

Alcohol Use Levels

Categorized as moderate (1-2 drinks/day), binge (4-5 drinks in 2 hours), and heavy (frequent bingeing).

Opioids

Narcotic pain medications that can be prescription-based or illegal, associated with high risks of addiction and overdose.

Unintentional Injuries

Injuries that are preventable, with leading causes including poisoning, motor vehicle accidents, and falls.

Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)

A range of diseases affecting the heart and blood vessels, majorly caused by atherosclerosis.

Alzheimer’s Disease

A progressive form of dementia characterized by memory loss, confusion, and significant brain changes.

Diabetes

A chronic condition involving insulin production issues and glucose metabolism, with Type 1 being autoimmune and Type 2 linked to lifestyle.

STI Prevention

Methods like abstinence, condoms, regular testing, and limiting sexual partners to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections.

Asymptomatic STIs

Sexually Transmitted Infections that show no symptoms, making regular testing crucial for early detection and treatment (e.g., Chlamydia).

Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors

Lifestyle factors (e.g., smoking, obesity, physical inactivity) and medical conditions (e.g., high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes) that increase the likelihood of CVD.

Diabetes Complications

Potential long-term health issues from uncontrolled diabetes, including heart disease, kidney damage, nerve damage, and vision loss.

Stimulants

A class of psychoactive drugs that increase activity in the brain, often leading to increased alertness, energy, and heart rate (e.g., cocaine, methamphetamine).