WEEK five: SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) (venereal diseases) are the diseases that are contacted
through sexual intercourse. Examples include syphilis, gonorrhea, herpes, thrush, AIDS etc.
The table below shows a list of STIs, their symptoms, transmission, etc.
DISEASE CAUSATIVE SYMPTOMS PREVENTION/CONTROL
ORGANISM
GONORRHOEA Bacterium (Neisseria A. Burning A. Discourage
gonorrhea) sensation during commercialized
urination in prostitution
males B. Avoid multiple sexual
B. A thick partners
yellowish C. Get medical attention and
discharge in stop sexual intercourse with
males previous partner(s)
C. Pain on passing
urine in females
D. Vagina
discharge and
swelling of the
vulva
E. Redness around
the urinary
openings
F. Sterility at
advanced stage
SYPHILIS Bacterium A. A small painless As in gonorrhea
(Treponemapallidium) sore appear on
the penis or
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 vulva at the
initial stage
B. Fever, skin
rashes, mouth
ulcer, aching
pains at the
lymph node
regions at
secondary stage
C. Nervous
disorder,
insanity,
repeated
abortion etc.
Acquired Human immune – A. Fever, chronic A. Keep one faithful partner
immunue deficiency virus (HIV) diarrhea B. Avoid sharing sharp
deficiency B. Excessive objects such as razor blade,
syndrome weight loss C. Screening of blood before
(AIDS) C. General skin transfusion
irritation D. Avoid oral, anal sex and
D. Swelling of the kissing
glands D. National mass campaign to
E. Persistent educate people on the
cough danger of HIV
F. Persistent
severe fatigued
Genital warts Human A. Painless, flesh A. Vaccine available for
papillomavirus (HPV) coloured women aged 9 -26.
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 bumps/warts B. sharing personal items,
develop on the including towels, razors,
penis, in and bars of soap, footwear, or
around the other objects
vagina and the
anus and may
re-appear at
different times.
B. Cervical cancer
HIV AND AIDS
HIV (Acquired immune deficiency virus) is the pathogen that caused AIDS, a sexually
transmitted disease. AIDS is a disease in which the immune system of the human body is
completely broken down, rendering the body unable to fight against any pathogens that attack
it. HIV belong to a group of RNA virus referred to as retro – viruses. They are capable of
converting their RNA to DNA; they attack, infect and destroy certain white blood cells called
helper T cells or CD4 (lymphocytes).
HIV can remain dormant in the cell of the host for years and multiplying as the cells of the host
divide, eventually the virus becomes active producing many viruses causing the killing of the
helper T cells. Once the body loses too many helper T cells, the body’s defense against
infections crumbles and the body becomes vulnerable to various disease pathogens causing
various opportunistic diseases.
MODE OF TRANSMISSION
Apart from sexual intercourse, HIV can be transmitted through
1. Receiving blood transfusion from an infected person
2. Infection through pregnancy, child birth and breast feeding
3. Using unsterilized infected needles and syringes
4. By practicing oral and anal sex
5. Open mouth kiss with an infected person
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WEEKEND ASSSIGNMENT
1. State five ways of controlling AIDS.
2. Differentiate between HIV and AIDS.