STDs+HW+1+MC

HIV infection -Virus: AIDS is the last stage of an HIV infection. It’s estimated that 38.6 people worldwide are now infected with the HIV virus and that nearly 25 million persons have died from AIDS. HIV infections are more likely to occur in minority women. HIV is now being transmitted between heterosexuals and more frequently between African Americans and Hispanics than Caucasians. The primary host for the HIV is a helper T lymphocyte. The immune system becomes severely impaired in persons with AIDS. Homosexuals are the most exposed group to HIV infections. -Symptoms: They are few, but the individual is highly contagious. Several months to several years after infection, the helper T lymphocyte count falls, and infections, such as other sexually transmitted diseases, begin to appear. In the last stage of infection, called AIDS, the helper T cell count falls way below normal, and at least one opportunistic infection is present. The immune system is severely weakened. -Treatment: There is no cure for AIDS, but a treatment called highly active antiretroviral therapy is usually able to stop HIV reproduction to the extent that the virus becomes undetectable in the blood. The medications must be continued indefinitely because as soon as HAART is discontinued, the virus rebounds.

Genital Warts -Virus: They are caused by the human papillomaviruses (HPVs). Many times, carries either do not have any sign of warts or merely flat lesions. When present, the warts commonly are seen on the penis and foreskin of men and near the vaginal opening in women. A newborn baby become infected while passing through the birth canal. Genital warts are associated with cancer of the cervix, as well as tumors of the vulva, vagina, anus, and penis. These viruses may be involved in up to 90% of all cases of cancer of the cervix. -Symptoms: Many times, carries either do not have any sign of warts or merely flat lesions. When present, the warts commonly are seen on the penis and foreskin of men and near the vaginal opening in women. -Treatment: Individuals who are currently infected with visible growth may have those growths removed by surgery, freezing, or burning with lasers or acids. However, visible warts that are removed may recur. A new vaccine has been released for the HPVs that most commonly cause genital warts.

Genital Herpes: -Virus: They are caused by herpes simples virus. Type 1 usually causes cold sores and fever blisters, while type 2 more often causes genital herpes. Persons usually get infected with herpes simples virus type 2 when they are adults. About one million persons become infected each year, most of then teens and young adults. -Symptoms: Some people exhibit no symptoms; others may experience a tingling or itching sensation before blisters appear on the genitals. Once the blisters rupture, they leave painful ulcers that may take as long as three weeks or as little as five days to heal. The blisters may be accompanied by fever, pain on urination, swollen lymph nodes in the groin, and in women, a copious discharge. At this time, the individual has an increased risk of acquiring an HIV infection. After the ulcers heal, blisters can recur. Fever, stress, sunlight, and menstruation are associated with reoccurrence of symptoms. Exposure to herpes in birth canal can cause an infection in the newborn, which leads to neurological disorders and even death. Birth by cesarean section prevents this possibility. -Treatment: Herpes cannot be cured because medication that will attack the virus while it lies dormant in the nerve cells will also damage the nerve cells. However, there is treatment available for acute outbreaks that involves the use of anti-viral drugs such as Acyclovir, Valaclovir or Famcyclovir. http://www.healthscout.com/ency/68/162/main.html

Hepatitis -Virus: It infects the liver and can lead to liver failure, liver cancer, and death. There are six known viruses that can cause hepatitis, designated A-B-C-D-E-G. Hepatitis A is usually acquired from sewage contaminated drinking water, but this infection can also be sexually transmitted through oral/anal contact. Hepatitis B is spread through sexual contact and by bloodborne transmission. Hepatitis C causes most cases of posttransfusion hepatitis. Hepatitis D and G are sexually transmitted, while hepatitis E is acquired from contaminated water. -Symptoms: Symptoms are liver damage, or a yellowing of the skin color, urine, and especially around the whites of the eyes. http://hepatitis.about.com/od/symptoms/a/symptoms.htm -Treatment: A combined vaccine is available for hepatitis A and B; it is currently recommended that all children receive the vaccine to prevent infection. Screening of blood and blood products can prevent transmission of hepatitis viruses during a transfusion. Proper water treatment techniques can prevent contamination of drinking water.

Chlamydia -Bacteria: It’s named for the tiny bacterium that causes it (Chlamydia trachomatis). The incidence of new Chlamydia infections has steadily increased since 1984. Chlamydia infections of the lower reproductive tract are usually mild or asymptomatic, especially in women. Chlamydia also causes cervical ulcerations, which increase the risk of acquiring HIV. -Symptoms: About 18 to 21 days after infection, men may experience a mild burning sensation on urination and a mucoid discharge. Women may have a vaginal discharge along with the symptoms of a urinary tract infection. -Treatment: if the infection is misdiagnosed of if a woman does not seek medical help, there is a particular risk of the infection spreading from the cervix to the uterine tubes so that pelvis inflammatory disease results. This very painful condition can result in blockage of the uterine tubes with the possibility of sterility and infertility. There are several very safe, effective and inexpensive treatments for chlamydia. Antibiotics may include doxycycline, azithromycin, ofloxacin, or erythromycin. http://www.healthscout.com/ency/68/316/main.html#TreatmentofChlamydia

Gonorrhea -Bacteria: Its caused by the bacterium Neisseria Gonorrhoeae. Gonorrhea can spread to internal parts of the body, causing heart damage or arthritis. In males and females, a latent infection leads to pelvic inflammatory disease, which can also cause sterility in males. -Symptoms: Diagnoses in male is not difficult, since typical symptoms are pain upon urination and a thick, greenish yellow urethral discharge. Gonorrhea proctitis, an infection of the anus characterized by anal pain and blood or pus in the feces, also occurs in patients. -Treatment:. Up to now, gonorrhea was curable by antibiotic therapy, but resistance to antibiotics is becoming more and more common, and 40% of all strains are now known to be resistant to therapy. If a baby s exposed during birth, an eye infection leading to blindness can result. All newborns are given eye drops to prevent this possibility.

Syphilis -Bacteria: It’s caused by a bacterium called Treponema Pallidum. Syphilis has 3 stages, often separated by latent periods, during which the bacteria are resting before multiplying again. During the primary stage of syphilis is a chancre at the site where the bacteria enters the body. The secondary stage is a body rash that occurs even on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. In the tertiary stage, gummas may appear on the skin or internal organs. -Symptoms: Gummas may appear on the skin or internal organs in the 3rd stage. In the second stage, a body rash occurs on the palms of the hands and soles of feet. Hair loss and infectious gray patches on the mucous membranes may also occurs. These symptoms disappear on their own accord. -Treatment: It’s important for all sexual contacts to be traced to they can be treated. Diagnoses of syphilis can be made by blood tests or by microscopic examination of fluids from lesions. Syphilis is treated with penicillin, administered by injection. Other antibiotics can be used for patients allergic to penicillin. A small percentage of patients do not respond to the usual doses of penicillin. Therefore, it is important that patients have periodic repeat blood tests to make sure that the infectious agent has been completely destroyed and there is no further evidence of the disease.In all stages of syphilis, proper treatment will cure the disease, but in late syphilis, damage already done to body organs cannot be reversed. http://www.healthscout.com/ency/68/720/main.html#TreatmentofSyphilis

Preventing Transmission of STDs ---Sexual Activities Transmit STDs 1. Abstain from sexual intercourse or develop a long term monogamous sexual relationship with a partner who is free of STDs. 2. Refrains from multiple sex partners or having relations with someone who has multiple sex partners. 3. Remember that the prevalence of AIDS is presently higher among homosexuals and bisexuals than among those who are heterosexual. 4. Be aware that having relations with an intravenous drug user is risky because the behavior of this group risks AIDS and hepatitis B. 5. Avoid anal-rectal intercourse because this behavior increases the risk of an HIV infection. The lining of the rectum is thin, and infected CD4 T cells can easily enter the body there. 6. Uncircumcised males are more likely to become infected than circumcised males because vaginal secretions can remain under the foreskin for a long time.

---Practice Safer Sex 1. Always use a latex condom during sexual intercourse if you are not in a monogamous relationship and follow directions from the manufacturers of the condom. 2. Avoid fellatio (kissing and insertion of the penis into a partner’s mouth) and cunnilingus ( kissing and insertion f the tongue into the vagina) because they may be a means of transmission. 3. Practice penile, vaginal, oral, and hand cleanliness. 4. Be cautious about using alcohol or any drug that may prevent you from being able to control your behavior.

---Drug Use Transmits HIV 1. Stop, if necessary, or do not start the habit of injecting drugs into your veins. Be aware that HIV and hepatitis B can be spread by blood-to-blood contact. 2. Always use a new sterile needle for injection or one that has been cleaned in bleach if you are a drug user and cannot stop your behavior.