The Most Common STI’s

1. The Most Common STI’s

2. STI’s are caused by pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and protozoans. • The pathogens that cause STI’s live in the reproductive organs of males and females. Some also live in blood. • STI’s can be spread from person to person through blood and body fluids such as semen (male), vaginal secretions (female) and breast milk.

3. 3 of the most common STI’s • Trichomoniasis • Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) • Chlamydia

4. Trichomoniasis • Caused by a protozoan that infects the urinary tract or vagina. • In males, symptoms include painful urination, a clear discharge, and some itching. Most males experience no symptoms at all • In females, symptoms include itching and burning in the vagina, an unpleasant-smelling, yellowish discharge and pain when urinating.

5. Trichomoniasis • Doctor can prescribe medicine to cure the infection • If not treated, in males it can lead to inflammation of the urethra. In females it can lead to vaginitis (vaginal infection)

6. Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) • The most common viral STI in the US is caused by HPV. • In many cases, HPV causes no symptoms, so people may not be aware that they are infected.

7. Some forms of HPV cause genital warts, which may itch or Burn. A doctor may can remove the warts but they may reappear. Sometimes the body’s immune system will destroy the virus, clearing the body of infection. But in some people HPV remains in the body for life.

8. HPV (continued) • One of the most serious conditions associated with HPV infection is cervical cancer in women • Having regular Pap tests can help detect this type of cancer before it becomes life threatening

9. Chlamydia • The most common STI caused by bacteria in the US. • People who are sexually active should be checked regularly for chlamydia. • The infection can be cured with antibiotics

10. Chlamydia (continued) • Infected males often experience painful, frequent urination and discharge. • In females, chlamydia often has no symptoms other than a yellowish discharge. • If untreated, chlamydia can cause a serious infection of the reproductive organs called pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

11. Chlamydia (continued) • Can lead to infertility or an ectopic pregnancy. • A pregnant woman can transmit chlamydia to her baby during birth.

12. Other STI’s • Include: • Hepatitis • Gonorrhea • Genital Herpes • Syphilis

13. Hepatitis • Hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) are sexually transmitted infections that attack the liver. • Spreads by blood to blood contact such as sharing needles. • Symptoms include: • Fatigue • Abdominal pain • Nausea • jaundice

14. Gonorrhea • Is a bacterial STI that affects the urinary tract of males and females and the reproductive organs of females. • More than 700,000 Americans are diagnosed with this STI each year. • Males and females usually have a thick puslike discharge and painful urination • Female symtoms are usually mild and often harder to detect.

15. Genital Herpes • STI caused by a virus • Symptoms can be minor to severe and include painful blisters that appear around the genitals.

16. A doctor can prescribe medicine to reeive the discomfort and dry up the blisters but there is NO cure for genital herpes. • Infected people can experience periodic outbreaks during their life

17. Syphilis • Less common than it use to be. • Is a serious bacterial STI that progresses through 3 distinct phases. • 1. a painless sore called a chancre (shangkur) appears at the site of exposure. (IT CAN SPREAD) • 2. Sores appear in mouth and flulike symptoms develop. (skin rash on hands and feet) • 3. symptoms disappear for years but attack internal areas of body (brain/heart) can result in death.

18. SYPHILIS

19. Other STI’s • Chancroid • Bacterial Vaginosis • Pubic Lice/Scabies

20. Question • HOW DO YOU AVOID STI’s?

21. AVOIDING STI’s • ABSTINENCE • AVOID DRUGS • CHOOSE REPONSIBLE FRIENDS

22. People who participate in high-risk behaviors should get medical checkups every 6 months. Individuals who suspect they may be infected should seek PROMPT medical attention.