Sexually Transmitted Disease

Chlamydia

Definition / Signs & Symptoms: Most common bacterial STD; Greatest number of infections found in people 15 to 24 years old; Cause cervicitis in women and urethritis and proctitis in both men and women; Affect occasionally the rectum, throat and eye; 50% have NO symptoms - men & women → Treated with antibiotics

Causative agent: Chlamydia trachomatis

Mode of Transmission: Direct vaginal, oral or anal sexual contact w/ an infected partner

Transmissibility: Communicable

Gonorrhea

Definition / Signs & Symptoms: 2nd Most common bacterial STI;  Most common in people aged 15 to 29; Can affect cervix, urethra, rectum, throat, and occasionally the eyes → Can be treated with antibiotics   

Causative agent: Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Mode of Transmission: By unprotected sexual contact w/ penis, vagina, mouth, or anus of an infected partner; Or from mother to baby during childbirth.

Transmissibility: Communicable

Syphilis

Definition / Signs & Symptoms:  Mostly among young people between the ages of 15 and 30 years;  Progresses in Stages: (1) Primary (3 days – 3 months): starts as a small, painless sore called a chancre; goes away on its own (2) Secondary (2 – 24 weeks): rash on body, palms of hands & soles of feet, hair loss, feeling sick  (3) Latent: lesions or rashes can recur

Causative agent: Treponema pallidum

Mode of Transmission: Direct vaginal, oral or anal sexual contact w/ an infected partner ; receiving oral sex from a partner w/ a history of syphilis sores

Transmissibility: Communicable

Genital Herpes

Definition / Signs & Symptoms: Causing outbreaks of painful sores and blisters; → Symptoms can be treated with antiviral medications, but NO CURE

Causative agent: HSV-1 : Causing cold sores

HSV-2 : Causing genital herpes

Mode of Transmission: Direct vaginal, oral or anal sexual contact w/ an infected partner ; receiving oral sex from a partner w/ a history of cold sores

Transmissibility: Communicable

Genital Warts

Definition / Signs & Symptoms: Appear on vagina or penis, near anus, and sometimes in throat;  appear within several weeks after sex with a person who has HPV or may take months / years to appear; or may never appear.; A person can be infected and pass on virus without knowing it; →  NO CURE, but vaccination is available to prevent certain types of HPV

Causative agent: Human Papilloma Virus

Mode of Transmission: Vaginal / Anal intercourse and  oral sex

Transmissibility: Communicable

Hepatitis B

Definition / Signs & Symptoms:  Attacks liver ; Most infected people (90%) naturally produce antibodies to fight the disease, but some develop chronic HBV and will carry the virus for rest of their life; Chronic infection can lead to liver damage, cirrhosis, and cancer → NO CURE, but vaccination can prevent infection

Causative agent: Hepatitis B virus (HBV)

Mode of Transmission: Blood, semen of person w/ HBV passed thru sexual contact; sharing needles, syringes, or other drug-injection equipment; or from mother to baby at birth

Transmissibility: Communicable

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)

Definition / Signs & Symptoms: Attacks the body’s immune system; may have no symptoms for 10 or more years. If not treated, it can lead to AIDS → NO CURE

Causative agent: Type 1 and 2 HIV

Mode of Transmission: Through infected blood, semen, vaginal fluids, or breast milk that gets into bloodstream of another person through: 

• direct entry into a blood vessel 

• mucous linings (vagina, rectum, penis, mouth, eyes, or nose or break in the skin)

• Sharing of contaminated needles/syringe

Transmissibility: Communicable

AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome)

Definition / Signs & Symptoms: Late stage of HIV disease → NO CURE

Causative agent: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

Mode of Transmission: Via sexual activity, blood transfusions, sharing intravenous needles, & from mother to a child during birth process & breastfeeding.

Transmissibility: Communicable

Thrush

Definition / Signs & Symptoms: Yeast infection of the mouth , where white creamy patches occur on the tongue, mucous membranes, and the corners of the mouth

Causative agent:  Candida albicans

Mode of Transmission: Contact w/ secretions or excretions of mouth, skin, vagina, or feces of patients or carriers, also by passage from mother to neonate during childbirth.

Transmissibility: Non-Communicable

Yeast Vaginitis

Definition / Signs & Symptoms: Typical symptoms are vulvar pruritus (itching), a burning sensation, and a white discharge.

Causative agent: Candida albicans

Mode of Transmission: Contact w/ secretions or excretions of mouth, skin, vagina, or feces of patients or carriers, also by passage from mother to neonate during childbirth.

Transmissibility: Non-Communicable

Pubic Lice

Definition / Signs & Symptoms:  Tiny crab-like insects that nest in pubic hair & bite their host to feed on blood; Can live for 1 – 3 days on bedding, towels and clothing → Treated with medicated creams & lotions

Causative agent: Phthirus pubis

Mode of Transmission: Person-to-person through sexual contact

Transmissibility: Non-Communicable

Scabies

Definition / Signs & Symptoms: mites that burrow below the surface of the skin to lay their eggs; Can live for 1 – 3 days on bedding, towels and clothing → Treated with medicated creams & lotions

Causative agent: Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominisi, var. equi (horse) Var. canis (dog)

Mode of Transmission: Skin contact with an infected person

Transmissibility: Communicable

Trichomoniasis

Definition / Signs & Symptoms: Most commonly infected part: 

• Women: lower genital tract (vulva, vagina, or urethra) 

• Men: inside of the penis (urethra)

Causative agent: Trichomonas vaginalis

Mode of Transmission: Genital contact (vaginal, oral or anal sex)

Transmissibility: Communicable