Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Pathological Obstetrics, Basic Family Planning and Care of Infants
Pathological Obstetrics, Basic Family Planning and Care of Infants
Pathological Obstetrics, Basic Family Planning and Care of Infants
Description:
This course deals with the concept of complications of pregnancy, labor and
delivery, its causes and management, care of infants and children including
integrated management of childhood diseases, and basic family planning.
Objectives:
Specific objectives:
I. Complications of Pregnancy
A. First Trimester
1. Hyperemesis gravidarum
2. H-mole
3. Abortion
4. Ectopic Pregnancy
5. Incompetent cervix
B. Second Trimester
1. Abruptio Placenta
2. Placenta previa
3. Toxaemia of Pregnancy
4. Hypertensive vascular disease
C. Third Trimester
II. Diseases affecting pregnancy
A. Diabetes Mellitus
B. Heart Diseases
C. Renal disorders
D. Common infections
1. Rubella
2. Influenza
3. Tuberculosis
4. STD
III. Complications during labor and delivery
A. Powers
1. Dystocia
2. Precipitate labor
3. Ruptured placenta
4. Dysfunctional uterine contraction
B. Passageway
1. Cephalopelvic sisproporrtion
C. Passenger
1. Prolapse cord
2. Cord coil
3. Multiple pregnancy
4. Abnormal presentation
Unit title. It contains the main topic or the subject which is specifically
related to the learning outcome.
On the later part of this material, the answer keys and rubrics were
presented to guides students as they go through the learning process.
The Author
Title Page 2
Preface 7
Table of contents 8
References
Rubrics
Answer Key
Unit 1:
Complications
of pregnancy
Pre-
Pecore, R.,Assessment
(2020), Medina College Ipil, Inc
8
I- Meta cards posting
Instruction:
Write everything on the card that comes up in your mind as you heard
the word Pathologic Obstetrics.
II – Multiple choice
1. A 21-year old client, 6 weeks’ pregnant is diagnosed with hyperemesis gravidarum. This
excessive vomiting during pregnancy will often result in which of the following conditions?
A. Bowel perforation
B. Electrolyte imbalance
C. Miscarriage
D. Pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH)
2. Which of the following statements best describes hyperemesis gravidarum?
Unit 1:
Complications of pregnancy
Hyperemesis Gravidarum:
HG typically includes nausea that doesn’t go away and severe vomiting that
leads to severe dehydration. This doesn’t allow you to keep any food or
fluids down.
Pecore, R., (2020), Medina College Ipil, Inc
10
The symptoms of HG begin within the first six weeks of pregnancy. Nausea
often doesn’t go away. HG can be extremely debilitating and cause fatigue
that lasts for weeks or months.
HG can lead to dehydration and poor weight gain during pregnancy. There’s
no known way to prevent morning sickness or HG, but there are ways to
manage the symptoms.
HG usually starts during the first trimester of pregnancy. Less than half of
women with HG experience symptoms their entire pregnancy, notes the HER
Foundation.
loss of appetite
becoming dehydrated
Almost all women experience some degree of morning sickness during their
pregnancy. Morning sickness is nausea and vomiting during pregnancy.
Despite the name, morning sickness isn’t confined to the morning. It can
occur at any time.
being overweight
Trophoblastic disease can also cause HG. Trophoblastic disease occurs when
there’s an abnormal growth of cells inside the uterus.
Your doctor will ask you about your medical history and your symptoms. A
standard physical exam is enough to diagnose most cases. Your doctor will
Blood and urine samples may also be necessary to check for signs of
dehydration. Your doctor might also order additional tests to rule out
gastrointestinal problems as a cause of your nausea or vomiting.
Try eating smaller, more frequent meals and dry foods, such as crackers.
Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.
Taking medication while pregnant can cause potential health problems for
the baby, but in severe cases of HG, maternal dehydration is a more
Hydatidiform Mole
Pregnancy happens after an egg is fertilized and burrows into the womb.
Sometimes, though, these delicate beginning stages can get mixed up.
When this happens, a pregnancy may not go the way it should — and this
can be heartbreaking, even though it’s no one’s fault.
This kind of pregnancy doesn’t last because the placenta typically can’t
nourish or grow a baby at all. In rare cases, it may also lead to health risks
for mom.
There are two kinds of molar pregnancy. Both have the same result, so one
isn’t better or worse than the other. Both kinds are usually benign — they
don’t cause cancer.
A complete mole happens when there’s only placenta tissue growing in the
womb. There’s no sign of a fetus at all.
In a partial mole, there is placenta tissue and some fetal tissue. But the fetal
tissue is incomplete and could never develop into a baby.
You can’t control whether or not you have a molar pregnancy. It’s not
caused by anything you did. A molar pregnancy can happen to women of all
ethnicities, ages, and backgrounds.
In the same way, an imperfect sperm — or more than one sperm — may
fertilize a good egg. This can also cause a mole.
Share on Pinterest
There are some risk factors for a molar pregnancy. These include:
Age. Although it can happen to anyone, you may be more like to have
a molar pregnancy if you’re younger than 20 or older than 35 years.
A molar pregnancy may feel just like a typical pregnancy at first. However,
you’ll likely have certain signs and symptoms that something is different.
Bleeding. You may have bright red to dark brown bleeding in the first
trimester (up to 13 weeks). This is more likely if you have a complete
molar pregnancy. The bleeding might have grape-like cysts (tissue
clots).
High hCG with severe nausea and vomiting. The hormone hCG is
made by the placenta. It’s responsible for giving many pregnant
High levels of hCG in the blood might also be a sign of a molar pregnancy.
But some molar pregnancies may not raise hCG levels — and high hCG is
also caused by other standard kinds of pregnancies, like carrying twins. In
other words, your doctor won’t diagnose a molar pregnancy based on hCG
levels alone.
A molar pregnancy can’t grow into a normal, healthy pregnancy. You must
have treatment to prevent complications. This can be really, really hard
news to swallow after the initial joys of that positive pregnancy result.
With the right treatment, you can go on to have a successful pregnancy and
healthy baby.
With a D&C, your doctor will remove the molar pregnancy by dilating the
opening to your womb (cervix) and using a medical vacuum to remove the
harmful tissue.
You’ll be asleep or get local numbing before you have this procedure.
Although a D&C is sometimes done as an outpatient procedure at a doctor’s
office for other conditions, for a molar pregnancy it’s typically done at a
hospital as an inpatient surgery.
Chemotherapy drugs
If your molar pregnancy falls into a higher risk category — due to cancer
potential or because you have had difficulty getting proper care for whatever
reason — you may receive some chemotherapy treatment after your D&C.
This is more likely if your hCG levels don’t go down over time.
A hysterectomy is surgery that removes the entire womb. If you don’t wish
to get pregnant again, you might choose this option.
RhoGAM
If you have Rh-negative blood, you’ll receive a drug called RhoGAM as part
of your treatment. This prevents some complications related to developing
antibodies. Be sure and let your doctor know if you have A-, O-, B-, or AB-
blood type.
After-care
After your molar pregnancy is removed, you’ll need more blood tests and
monitoring. It’s very important to make sure that no molar tissue was left
behind in your womb.
In rare cases, molar tissue can regrow and cause some types of cancers.
Your doctor will check your hCG levels and give you scans for up to a year
after treatment.
Later-stage treatment
Again, cancers from a molar pregnancy are rare. Most are also very
treatable and have a survival rate of up to 90 percentTrusted Source. You
may need chemotherapy and radiation treatment for some cancers. Common,
but they can happen to women of all ages and backgrounds. A molar pregnancy can
be a long and emotionally draining experience.
Symptoms
Risk Factors
Diagnosis
Treatments
Outlook
Prevention
The exact cause of a threatened abortion usually isn’t known. However, it’s
more common among women who have previously had a miscarriage.
Other risk factors for a threatened abortion include obesity and uncontrolled
diabetes. If you’re overweight or have diabetes, speak with your doctor
about ways to stay healthy during pregnancy.
You should also tell your doctor about any medications or supplements
you’re taking. Some may be unsafe to use during pregnancy.
As you recover, your doctor may tell you to avoid certain activities. Bed rest
and avoiding sexual intercourse may be suggested until your symptoms go
away. Your doctor will also treat any conditions known to increase the risk of
complications during pregnancy, such as diabetes or hypothyroidism.
Ectopic pregnancy:
ovary. Ovarian pregnancies typically abort early, and the most common
pregnancy, the ovum implants in the uterine cervix or in the isthmus (the
Risk for the condition may be associated with previous operations such
some part of the peritoneal cavity other than the uterus, ovary, or fallopian
abdominal lining, most are the result of expulsion of a tubal pregnancy. The
condition can be suspected in the first three months of pregnancy if pain and
mother. https://www.britannica.com/science/ectopic-pregnancy
Overview
pregnancy.
incompetent cervix, your cervix might begin to open too soon — causing you
(cervical cerclage).
Symptoms
If you have an incompetent cervix, you may not have any signs or
spotting over the course of several days or weeks starting between 14 and
20 weeks of pregnancy.
A new backache
Many women don't have a known risk factor. Risk factors for cervical
insufficiency include:
incompetent cervix.
Complications
Pregnancy loss
Prevention
You can't prevent an incompetent cervix — but there's much you can do to
Seek regular prenatal care. Prenatal visits can help your doctor
monitor your health and your baby's health. Mention any signs or
Eat a healthy diet. During pregnancy, you'll need more folic acid,
ideally starting a few months before conception — can help fill any
dietary gaps.
Gain weight wisely. Gaining the right amount of weight can support
before pregnancy.
Avoid risky substances. If you smoke, quit. Alcohol and illegal drugs
are off-limits, too. In addition, get your doctor's OK before taking any
getting pregnant again, talk with your doctor to understand the risks and
ABRUPTIO PLACENTA
pregnancy. It attaches to the wall of the uterus and supplies the baby with
the mother.
Symptoms
especially in the last few weeks before birth. Signs and symptoms of
Abdominal pain
Back pain
Abdominal pain and back pain often begin suddenly. The amount of vaginal
bleeding can vary greatly, and doesn't necessarily indicate how much of the
placenta has separated from the uterus. It's possible for the blood to
which can cause light, intermittent vaginal bleeding. Your baby might not
grow as quickly as expected, and you might have low amniotic fluid or other
complications.
Causes
example — or rapid loss of the fluid that surrounds and cushions the baby in
Risk factors
abdominal trauma
Smoking
Complications
Placental abruption can cause life-threatening problems for both mother and
baby.
Premature birth
Stillbirth
Prevention
You can't prevent placental abruption, but you can decrease certain risk
factors. For example, don't smoke or use illegal drugs, such as cocaine. If
you have high blood pressure, work with your health care provider to
Always wear your seatbelt when in a motor vehicle. If you've had abdominal
medical help.
talk to your health care provider before you conceive to see if there are ways
Placenta previa is when a pregnant woman's placenta blocks the opening to the
cervix that allows the baby to be born. It can cause severe bleeding during
The placenta is an organ that grows inside the lining of your uterus
and nutrients from you to your unborn child. It also moves waste away from
your baby.
the cervix, which is the opening of the uterus. Your baby passes into the
cervix and through the birth canal during a vaginal delivery. Normally, the
placenta attaches toward the top of the uterus, away from the cervix.
Here's what happens with placenta previa: As your cervix opens during labor, it
can cause blood vessels that connect the placenta to the uterus to tear. This
can lead to bleeding and put both you and your baby at risk. Nearly all women
happening.
You may have different outcomes depending on the type of placenta previa
you have.
the cervix.
is close to the opening of the cervix but doesn't cover it. It may get
Bright red bleeding from the vagina during the second half of your
pregnancy. It can range from light to heavy, and it's often painless.
Contractions along with the bleeding. You might feel the cramping or
Placenta previa happens in about 1 out of every 200 pregnancies. You may
Are 35 or older
routine prenatal visits. The test uses sound waves to show if your placenta
covers the opening from your womb to your cervix. They'll start with a
device called a transducer placed on your abdomen, but if they need a better
There's no cure for placenta previa. The goal of treatment is to limit the
bleeding so you can get as close as possible to your due date. Most women
whose placenta previa doesn't get better on its own will need a C-section.
PRE-ECLAMPSIA
What Is Preeclampsia?
has high blood pressure, protein in her urine, and swelling in her legs,
feet, and hands. It can range from mild to severe. It usually happens late
Preeclampsia can lead to eclampsia, a serious condition that can have health
risks for mom and baby and, in rare cases, cause death. Women with
there is a rise in the blood pressure and disappears after the termination of
toxins in the blood. This is because its occurrence was not well understood in
(presence of protein in the urine), and edema. There are 2 main types of
TYPES
Anatomy
There are a lot of bodily changes that happen during a normal pregnancy.
There are external changes that are noticeable, and there are internal
examinations. Most of the changes are the body’s response to the changes
pregnancy as it progresses.
The following are the major effects of these hormones in the body:
*hypertrophy
*hyperplasia
*acidity: pH 4.0-6.0
Unit II
Diseases affecting pregnancy
Diabetes Mellitus
Diabetes mellitus is a condition defined by persistently high levels of sugar
(glucose) in the blood. There are several types of diabetes. The two most
common are called type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes.
In people with insulin resistance, the pancreas "sees" the blood glucose level
rising. The pancreas responds by making extra insulin to try to usher the
glucose into the cells. At first, this works, but over time, the body's insulin
resistance gets worse. In response, the pancreas makes more and more
insulin. Finally, the pancreas gets "exhausted." It cannot keep up with the
demand for more and more insulin. As a result, blood glucose levels rise and
stay high.
Type 2 diabetes is much more common than type 1 diabetes. It tends to run
in families. Obesity also increases your risk of type 2 diabetes. It is truly a
different disease than type 1 diabetes, although both types involve a high
blood glucose level and the risk of complications associated with it.
In most women, the disorder goes away when the pregnancy ends, but
women who have had gestational diabetes are at increased risk of
developing type 2 diabetes later.
Symptoms
excessive urination
excessive thirst, leading to drinking a lot of fluid
weight loss.
When the amount of insulin in the blood stream is too low, extremely high
blood sugar levels can lead to dangerous complications. The body can
become too acidic, a condition called diabetic ketoacidosis. Or the blood
sugar level gets so high, the person becomes severely dehydrated. It’s
called hyperosmolar syndrome.
sweating
trembling
dizziness
hunger
confusion
seizures and loss of consciousness (if hypoglycemia is not recognized
and corrected).
Diagnosis
Diabetes is diagnosed through blood tests that detect the level of glucose in
the blood.
Expected Duration
In people with diabetes, aging and episodic illnesses can cause the body's
insulin resistance to increase. As a result, additional treatment typically is
required over time.
Prevention
If you already have type 2 diabetes, you can still delay or prevent
complications by doing the following.
Keep control of your blood sugar. This helps reduce the risk of most
complications.
Treatment
Even if medications are required, diet and exercise remain important for
controlling diabetes.
The medications used for type 2 diabetes include pills and injections. They
work in many different ways. They include medications that:
During pregnancy, changes occur to the heart and blood vessels. These
changes put extra stress on a woman’s body and require the heart to work
harder. The following changes are normal during pregnancy. They help
ensure that your baby will get enough oxygen and nutrients.
Congenital heart defects are the most common heart problems that affect
women of childbearing age. These include shunt lesions, obstructive lesions,
complex lesions and cyanotic heart disease.
Shunt lesions
Shunt lesions are the simplest and most common congenital heart defects.
Shunts include atrial septal defect (ASD), which is a hole between the
upper chambers of the heart; ventricular septal defect (VSD), which is a
hole between the lower chambers of the heart; and patent ductus
arteriosus (PDA), which means there is abnormal blood flow between the
aorta and pulmonary artery. If the hole is large, a fair amount of blood from
the left side of the heart will flow back into the right side of the heart. The
blood gets pumped back to the lungs again and causes strain on the heart.
This can lead to an enlarged heart, abnormal heart rhythms and increased
pressure in the lungs (pulmonary hypertension). Pulmonary hypertension,
when severe, can cause the blood flow across the shunt to move in reverse.
This can cause low levels of oxygen in the blood (cyanosis). In such cases,
pregnancy is not recommended due to the high risk of the mother dying.
Obstructive lesions reduce the amount of blood flow to the heart and the
body’s major blood vessels. One such lesion, aortic coarctation is a
narrowing in the descending aorta, which is the largest artery in the body.
Aortic coarctation can cause a pregnant woman to have high blood pressure.
The condition can also keep the placenta (the collection of blood vessels that
supplies the baby with blood) from getting enough blood. Depending on how
severe the narrowing is, you may need a procedure before or during
pregnancy to keep you and the baby safe during pregnancy.
Complex lesions
In general, most women with congenital heart defects, especially those who
have had corrective surgeries, can safely become pregnant. However, the
outcome of the pregnancy and risk of complications depends on the type of
heart defect you have, how severe your symptoms are, and whether you
have heart muscle dysfunction, heart rhythm disturbances or pulmonary
hypertension with related lung disease. Your pregnancy can also be affected
if you have had particular types of heart surgery.
One common cause of aortic valve stenosis is bicuspid aortic valve disease.
This is a congenital heart condition in which there are only two leaflets (also
called cusps), instead of the normal three leaflets inside the valve. The
leaflets open and close to keep blood flowing in the right direction and
prevent backflow. Without the third leaflet, the valve can become narrowed
or stiff.
Women with bicuspid aortic valve disease or any type of aortic valve stenosis
need to be evaluated by a cardiologist before planning a pregnancy. In some
cases, surgery is recommended to correct the valve before pregnancy.
Mitral valve stenosis means the mitral valve (the valve between the left
atrium and left ventricle) is narrowed. This condition is often caused
by rheumatic fever.
The increased blood volume and increased heart rate that occur during
pregnancy can make symptoms of mitral stenosis get worse. The left atrium
can become bigger and cause a rapid, irregular heart rhythm called atrial
fibrillation. In addition, the problem can cause heart failure
symptoms (shortness of breath, irregular heart beat, fatigue and
swelling/edema). This can increase the risk to the mother. If you have mitral
valve stenosis, you may need to take medications while you are pregnant.
Your doctor may also recommend an catheter-based procedure, called
percutaneous valvuloplasty, to correct the narrowed valve while you are
pregnant. It is important to have mitral stenosis evaluated before you
become pregnant. In some cases, surgery or valvuloplasty to correct the
valve will be recommended before pregnancy.
Peripartum cardiomyopathy
Myocardial infarction
Heart Murmur
Last, there are several changes in the function of the innate and adaptive
immune systems in pregnancy that may have important impacts on the
behavior of autoimmune diseases, a common cause of reduced kidney
function in young women. Normal pregnancy is characterized by a shift from
a T helper (TH) cell type 1 (TH1; cell-mediated immunity) to a TH2
(humoral-mediated immunity) phenotype, which is important for tolerance
to fetal antigens, trophoblast invasion, and placental formation. In addition,
the number of regulatory T cells, which promote immune tolerance, is
increased in normal pregnancy, further contributing to establishing fetal
tolerance. In autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus
(SLE), alterations in the number and function of regulatory T cells may
correlate with increased risk for pregnancy complications, such as
preeclampsia, and poor fetal and maternal outcomes.
• Blood volume
• Cardiac output
• GFR by 50%
• TH2 phenotype
• Circulation of Tregs
Decreased
• Serum creatinine
When children get rubella, it’s usually a mild illness. Sometimes they have
no symptoms at all, but they can still spread the infection to others.
Symptoms include:
A low-grade fever and mild aches and pains, sometimes red eyes.
A rash of pink or light red spots that start on the face and spread
down to the rest of the body.
Neck glands may swell up and feel tender, especially behind the ears.
The rubella virus passes from person to person through droplets from the
nose or throat of someone with rubella. These droplets may land in the
nose or mouth of someone who is close by, especially when the infected
person coughs or sneezes.
Rubella is most contagious a few days before and after the rash appears.
Influenza
Influenza (also called flu) is a virus that can cause serious illness. It’s more
than just a runny nose and sore throat. The flu can make you very sick, and
it can be especially harmful if you get it during or right after pregnancy
The flu spreads easily from person to person. When someone with the flu
coughs, sneezes or speaks, the virus spreads through the air. You can get
infected with the flu if you breathe it in or if you touch something (like a
door handle or a phone) that has the flu virus on it and then touch your
nose, eyes or mouth.
People with the flu may be able to infect others from 1 day before they get
sick up to 5 to 7 days after. People who are very sick with the flu or young
children may be able to spread the flu longer, especially if they still have
symptoms.
Health complications from the flu, like a lung infection called pneumonia, can
be serious and even deadly, especially if you’re pregnant. If women get the
flu during pregnancy, she’s more likely than other adults to have serious
complications. It’s best to get a flu shot before pregnancy. Getting a flu shot
Pregnant women who get the flu are more likely than women who don’t get
it to have preterm labor (labor that happens before 37 weeks of pregnancy)
and premature birth (birth that happens before 37 weeks of pregnancy.
Fever from the flu may be linked to birth defects, like neural tube defects,
and other problems in your baby. A birth defect is a health condition that is
present at birth. Birth defects change the shape or function of one or more
parts of the body. They can cause problems in overall health, how the body
develops, or in how the body works. Neural tube defects are birth defects of
the brain and spinal cord.
How does the flu shot help protect you from flu?
The flu shot contains a vaccine that helps prevent you from getting the flu.
The flu shot can’t cause the flu. It’s safe to get a flu shot any time during
pregnancy, but it’s best to get it before flu season (October through May)..
There are many different flu viruses, and they’re always changing. Each year
a new flu vaccine is made to protect against three or four flu viruses that are
likely to make people sick during the upcoming flu season. Protection from a
flu shot only lasts about a year, so it’s important to get a flu shot every
year.
Signs of a condition are things someone else can see or know about you, like
you have a rash or you’re coughing. Symptoms are things you feel yourself
that others can’t see, like having a sore throat or feeling dizzy. Common
signs and symptoms of the flu include:
Cough
Sore throat
The flu often comes on quickly. Fever and most other symptoms can last a
week or longer. But some people can be sick from the flu for a long time,
including children, people older than 65, pregnant women and women who
have recently had a baby.
Call 911 and get medical care right away if you have any of these signs or
symptoms:
Flu signs or symptoms that get better but then come back with fever and
a worse cough
When you have the flu, you can spread it to others. Here’s what you can do
to help prevent it from spreading:
Stay home when you’re sick and limit contact with others.
Wash your hands with soap and water before touching anyone. You also
can use alcohol-based hand sanitizers. Use enough hand sanitizer so that
it takes at least 15 seconds for your hands to dry.
Use hot, soapy water or a dishwasher to wash your dishes and utensils.
The flu can be dangerous during pregnancy because pregnancy affects your
immune system, heart and lungs. Your immune system is your body’s way
of protecting itself from illnesses and diseases. When your body senses
something like a virus that can harm your health, your immune system
works hard to fight the virus.
Another reason the flu can be harmful during pregnancy is that the lungs
need more oxygen, especially in the second and third trimesters. The
growing belly puts pressure on the lungs, making them work harder in a
smaller space. You may even find yourself feeling shortness of breath at
times. The heart is working hard, too. It’s busy supplying blood to you and
your baby. All of this means the body is stressed during pregnancy. This
stress on the body can make more likely to get the flu. If a woman is
Tuberculosis in pregnancy
The highest probability of women having tuberculosis (TB) is during the
childbearing years of 15 (post-puberty) to 49 (up to menopause). During
pregnancy, when the immune system is more susceptible to infections,
chances of contracting this disease are even higher. TB in pregnancy can
have serious consequences if it goes untreated.
Complications that have been reported in pregnant women with TB include
spontaneous abortion, delayed growth of the baby in the womb, and
suboptimal weight gain. Other complications include preterm labour, low
birth weight and increased neonatal mortality. In very rare cases, the baby
is born with the infection.
While treating TB in pregnancy is absolutely essential, the process can be a
little tricky. Doctors and expecting mothers need to be extra cautious about
getting the right treatment and maintaining the health of the baby as well as
the mother. Treating a pregnant woman for tuberculosis may be a little
complicated, but it’s not nearly as dangerous as leaving the infection
untreated.
Are you prepared to protect your health from sexually transmitted diseases
and infections? Some of these infections are more familiar—you’ve probably
heard of chlamydia, gonorrhea, genital herpes, and HIV. But many more are
less talked about. You can protect yourself and your loved ones from future
health problems by understanding these common STDs.
STD or STI?
Some experts prefer the term “STI” (sexually transmitted infection). STIs
include all infections that can be transmitted sexually.
HPV Symptoms
Genital warts can be big or small, flat or raised. They generally appear as a
small bump or group of bumps in the genital region, and may be shaped like
a cauliflower.
HPV Vaccine
A vaccine to prevent HPV is given in three shots. The second shot is given a
month or two after the first shot. The third shot comes six months after the
first shot.
The Centers for Disease Control recommends boys and girls be vaccinated at
ages 11 or 12.
If they did not get the HPV vaccine as children, women can get the HPV
vaccine through age 26. Men can get it through age 21. The CDC
recommends HPV vaccination for men through age 26 for men who have sex
with men or men with compromised immune systems, including HIV.
Pubic lice are colloquially known as "crabs." This name refers to the shape of
these parasites, which is different from that of body lice. Pubic lice live in
pubic hair and are spread among people during close contact. Pubic lice can
be treated with over-the-counter lice-killing medications.
Severe itching
Visible crawling lice or eggs attached to pubic hair
Like pubic lice, scabies is another parasitic STI. This parasite is not
necessarily sexually transmitted, since it can affect any area of the skin.
However, scabies is often spread during sexual contact.
Scabies Symptoms
Gonorrhea Symptoms
In some cases, the symptoms are mild and the condition is mistaken for a
UTI or yeast infection. Visit your health care provider if this sounds like you.
Syphilis
Syphilis can be cured with antibiotics, but many people don't notice its early
STD symptoms. It can play havoc with your health, leading to nerve
damage, blindness, paralysis, and even death over time if not treated.
Syphilis Symptoms
A round, firm, painless sore on the genitals or anal area (often the first
sign)
Chlamydia
Chlamydia is a very common STD. It can cause infertility if not treated. The
symptoms may not be noticed, or they may be vague and nonspecific. Some
people experience no health effects at all.
Chlamydia Symptoms
Cold sores or "fever blisters" on the lips are a sign of herpes virus infection,
usually caused by the type of herpes virus known as human herpes virus 1,
also known as oral herpes.
Symptoms of oral herpes usually appear 1-3 weeks after first infection.
When symptoms return, they are typically milder than the initial herpes
outbreak.
After the first infection, less severe outbreaks are common in the first year.
Outbreaks tend to decrease over time, though the infection may stay in the
body indefinitely.
A genital herpes infection can spread to the lips through oral contact. As with
oral herpes, medications can reduce the severity of genital herpes, but there
is no cure.
Hepatitis B is a virus that spreads through contact with body fluids and
blood, so it can be transmitted through sexual intercourse. Hepatitis B
infection is also possible through sharing of needles, razors, and
toothbrushes. Babies can become infected at birth from an infected mother.
It's possible to go for years without symptoms of this STI.
Hepatitis B Symptoms
Nausea
Abdominal pain
Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes)
Over time, scarring of the liver (cirrhosis) and liver cancer can
develop.
The HIV virus (AIDS virus) weakens the body's immune system. It is spread
through sexual contact, needle sharing, or from an infected mother to baby.
There may be no symptoms for years, but a blood test can tell if you have
been infected. With appropriate treatment, many serious illnesses can be
prevented.
HIV Symptoms
Muscle Aches
Sore throat
AIDS Symptoms
HIV Testing
While there is no cure for HIV, there are medications that can suppress the
amount of virus multiplying inside the body. People take a combination of
antiviral drugs in hopes of preventing the infection from advancing to AIDS.
Additional treatments can help prevent or fight off serious infections, if the
immune system has weakened.
Trichomoniasis Symptoms
Chancroid Symptoms
It's estimated that half of sexually active young adults acquire at least one
of these STIs by age 25. In fact, sexual diseases are the most commonly
reported type of infection in America. Though more common in teens and
young adults, anyone who is sexually active is potentially at risk. The risk is
raised by having multiple sex partners. The incidence of some sexually
transmitted diseases, including LGV and syphilis, is increasing in men who
have sex with men.
Many of these diseases can spread through any type of sexual activity. This
can include skin-to-skin contact and oral sex. This means that people who
have not yet had sexual intercourse can still get infected.
Abstinence from any sexual contact (or skin-to-skin contact) is the only
absolute way to prevent STIs. Being in a long-term, monogamous
relationship also is a good way to avoid them.
There are also steps you can take to decrease the chance of getting an STD
if you are sexually active, including:
Condoms can prevent the spread of some STDs, but they aren't 100%
effective. They are less effective at protecting against herpes, syphilis, and
genital warts, since these STDs can be transmitted by contact with skin
lesions that are not covered by a condom. Condoms also do not protect
against crabs and scabies infestations.
Some STDs can cause premature labor in pregnant women, and many STDs
can be passed to the baby either during pregnancy or childbirth. So all
pregnant women should be checked for STDs. STDs can cause numerous
problems in babies, like low birth weight, stillbirth, nerve problems,
blindness, serious infections, and liver problems. Treatment during
pregnancy can reduce the risks of these complications and can cure many
types of infections.
In most cases, new exposures to STDs that you have already acquired in the
past can cause you to get the infection again. Most treatments don't protect
you from developing the STD at a future time. If your partner has not been
treated, you may pass the infection back and forth. Without the right
precautions, you could acquire a second STD or a recurrence of the same
infection. In addition, genital herpes virus infections can be recurrent after a
single exposure.