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Sexually Transmitted Infections
Sexually Transmitted Infections
• HIV can be categorised as a sexually transmitted infection as this is its main mode of
transmission. However, it has been shown that the risk of contracting HIV increases (2-5
times) should the person have an existing sexually transmitted infection. Also, if a person
infected with HIV also has an STI, they are more likely to transmit HIV to their partner.
• There are more than 30 different sexually transmissible bacteria, viruses and parasites some
• Some of these infections, like chlamydia and HIV in some cases, can be present but without
any symptoms and if left untreated can have dire implications on maternal, reproductive
• Consequently it is important to go for regular testing and to practise safe sex i.e. use of
Gonorrhoea
• Is spread through contact with the penis, vagina, mouth, or anus. Ejaculation does not have
• Some men do not get symptoms, but these normally appear 1-14 days post infection
• Symptoms and signs include a burning sensation when urinating, or a white, yellow, or
have no symptoms.
• The initial symptoms and signs include a painful or burning sensation when urinating,
increased vaginal discharge, or vaginal bleeding between periods. Women with gonorrhoea
Herpes
• Is caused by the herpes simplex viruses type 1 (HSV-1) –causes oral herpes or type 2 (HSV-
• Signs typically appear as one or more blisters on or around the genitals or rectum. The
blisters break, leaving tender ulcers (sores) that may take two to four weeks to heal the first
time they occur. The blisters are likely to return weeks to months after first appearing but
• Other than the sores, primary signs of infection include flu-like symptoms, such as fever
• Herpes stays in the body indefinitely although the number of outbreaks decreases over
years.
• The virus is found in and released from the sores but also between outbreaks where the
prevent outbreaks during the period of time the person takes the medication.
Syphilis
• Syphilis is passed from person to person through direct contact with a syphilis sore.
• Sores occur mainly on the external genitals, vagina, anus, or in the rectum. Sores also can
occur on the lips and in the mouth. There is usually only one but multiple sores can occur.
• Many people infected with syphilis do not have any symptoms for years, yet remain at risk
• The primary stage of syphilis is usually marked by the appearance of a single sore (called
• Skin rash and mucous membrane lesions characterize the secondary stage. This stage
typically starts with the development of a rash on one or more areas of the body. The rash
usually does not cause itching. Rashes associated with secondary syphilis can appear as the
• The latent (hidden) stage of syphilis begins when primary and secondary symptoms
disappear.
• This latent stage can last for years. The late stages of syphilis can develop in about 15%
of people who have not been treated for syphilis, and can appear 10–20 years after infection
including the brain, nerves, eyes, heart, liver, bones, and joints. Signs and symptoms of the
numbness, gradual blindness, and dementia. This damage may be serious enough to cause
death.
• Syphilis is easy to cure in its early stages. A single intramuscular injection of penicillin, an
antibiotic, will cure a person who has had syphilis for less than a year. Additional doses
are needed to treat someone who has had syphilis for longer than a year.
• Treatment will prevent the progression of the disease but will not reverse the damage
already done.
Human Papillomavirus
• There are more than 40 HPV types that can infect the genital areas of males and females.
• These HPV types can also infect the mouth and throat. Most people who become infected
• In 90% of cases, the body’s immune system clears HPV naturally within two years.
• If not cleared from the body, the infection can cause genital warts, warts in the throat
(recurrent respiratory papillomatosis, or RRP) and Cervical cancer and other, less common
but serious cancers, including cancers of the vulva, vagina, penis, anus, and oropharynx
• Vaccines can protect males and females against some of the most common types of HPV
• Girls and women: Two vaccines, Cervarix and Gardasil, are given in three shots at the ages
• Boys and men: One available vaccine, Gardasil, provides protection from genital warts and