Chapter 18: Sexually Transmitted Diseases

What is the difference between bacterial and viral STDs?

Bacterial STDs can be cured; viral STDs cannot be cured (only managed).

Which STDs are bacterial?

Chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis.

Which STDs are viral?

Herpes (HSV), HIV/AIDS, HPV, hepatitis B.

What organism causes Chlamydia?

Chlamydia trachomatis.

What are common symptoms of Chlamydia?

Thin clear discharge and mild pain when urinating; symptoms appear 7–21 days after infection.

What percentage of women with Chlamydia are asymptomatic?

75%.

How is Chlamydia prevented?

Condom use and routine screening.

Why is HPV dangerous?

High-risk HPV can cause cervical cancer.

What are the three HPV strain groups?

HPV1 (skin warts), low-risk HPV (genital warts), high-risk HPV (cancer).

Which HPV types cause genital warts?

HPV 6 and HPV 11.

Which HPV types cause cervical cancer?

HPV 16 and 18.

Is there a cure for HPV?

No. Warts can be treated but the virus remains.

What vaccine protects against HPV?

Gardasil.

What causes genital herpes?

Herpes simplex virus (HSV-1 oral, HSV-2 genital).

When is herpes most contagious?

During outbreaks and also asymptomatically.

Do condoms fully protect against herpes?

No, because herpes spreads via skin contact outside condom-covered areas.

What type of virus is HIV?

A retrovirus.

Which cells does HIV attack?

T-helper cells.

What are the four main HIV transmission routes?

Sexual intercourse, infected blood, needles, mother-to-baby.

What is the most common HIV transmission route?

Anal sex.

Is there a cure for HIV?

No cure, but ART controls viral replication.

What is PrEP?

Medication that prevents HIV infection in high-risk HIV-negative individuals.

What bacterium causes gonorrhea?

Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

What are symptoms of gonorrhea?

Yellow/green discharge and painful urination; symptoms appear 2–5 days after infection.

What complication can untreated gonorrhea cause in women?

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).

What antibiotic treats gonorrhea?

Ceftriaxone.

What bacterium causes syphilis?

Treponema pallidum.

What is a chancre?

A painless sore in primary syphilis.

What occurs in secondary syphilis?

Red rash on palms/soles, wart-like growths, white patches, flu-like symptoms.

Is latent syphilis contagious?

No, except mother-to-fetus transmission.

What occurs in tertiary syphilis?

Brain and nerve damage; life-threatening effects.

How is hepatitis B transmitted?

Sexual contact or shared needles.

What are long-term risks of hepatitis B?

Cirrhosis and liver cancer.

What causes trichomoniasis?

The parasite Trichomonas vaginalis.

What are symptoms of trichomoniasis in women?

Smelly discharge and red bumps on vagina/cervix.

What is the treatment for trichomoniasis?

Metronidazole.

What causes pubic lice?

Lice that attach to pubic hair.

How are pubic lice treated?

Nix or Rid and washing clothing/bedding.

What condition is linked to Zika virus in babies?

Microcephaly.

How is Zika transmitted?

Mosquito bites and sexual fluids.

What causes scabies?

Scabies mites.

What is the main symptom of scabies?

Severe nighttime itching and a widespread rash.

Who must be treated for scabies?

All household members at the same time.

What is vaginitis?

Inflammation of the vagina causing discharge.

What causes yeast infections?

Candida overgrowth, sometimes triggered by pregnancy or hormonal contraception.

What are symptoms of yeast infections?

Thick white discharge and severe itching.

What is the treatment for yeast infections?

Fluconazole or CanestenGyno.

What is prostatitis?

Prostate inflammation causing pain and urinary difficulty.

How is prostatitis treated?

Antibiotics.