Sexually Transmitted Infections

Transcription

1 Sexually Transmitted Infectins An estimated 65 millin peple in the United States are currently living with a sexually transmitted disease. These diseases are very cmmn and easily transmitted thrugh sexual cntact. Many STI s are curable and all are treatable, but the nly way t knw if yu have ne is t get tested. Call the MU Student Health Center at fr an appintment t get tested r t speak with a health prfessinal abut hw yu can prtect yurself. Cmmnly Asked Questins What is the difference between an STI (sexually transmitted infectin) and an STD (sexually transmitted disease)? Sexually transmitted infectins include a brad range f infectins primarily transmitted thrugh sexual cntact (vaginal, ral, r anal sex) and are ften asymptmatic (display n symptms). STIs are mre easily transmitted thrugh mucus membranes in the penis, vulva, and (less ften) the muth by allwing pathgens int the bdy. Sme STIs can be transmitted thrugh direct cntact, such as in HPV (Human Papillma virus) and Herpes Simplex, thrugh sharing cntaminated needles (HIV/AIDS), r perinatally. Cnversely, sexually transmitted diseases cause illness r disease caused by infectius pathgens transmitted thrugh sexual cntact (vaginal, ral, r anal). STDs cmmnly elicit symptms in the infected individual. Unfrtunately, many STDs d nt display symptms and it is pssible t be an asymptmatic carrier f STDs. That is why it is s imprtant that bth yu and yur ptential partner get tested fr STDs. Hw cmmn are STIs? In the United States, the Center fr Disease Cntrl and Preventin (CDC) estimates that mre than 65 millin peple are currently living with an STI and mre than 19 millin new infectins are spread each year. While STI s are cnsistently listed in the tp ten mst frequently reprted diseases in the United States, less than half f adults ages 18 t 44 have ever been tested fr an STI ther than HIV/AIDS.

2 Bacterial versus Viral STI s: What s the difference? STI s can be separated int tw categries based n the type f micrrganism that causes them. Bacterial STI s Caused by bacteria. Cured with antibitics Examples: Gnrrhea, Syphilis, and Chlamydia. Viral STI s Caused by a virus Treatable, but nt curable with antibitics Examples: Human Papillma Virus (HPV), Herpes, Human Immundeficiency Virus (HIV), and Hepatitis B. Fr a mre infrmatin see brief verview belw. Hw can I prtect myself? What is Safer Sex? Prtecting yurself sexually invlves nt nly learning abut STI s but practicing safer sex every time yu engage in any sexual activity. While n sexual cntact is 100% safe, here are sme things yu can d t minimize yur risk f cntracting r transmitting an STI. Prevent the exchange f bdily fluids such as bld, semen, and vaginal secretins r minimize this exchange by using a barrier methd (male/female cndm r dental dam) during ral, anal, r vaginal sex. Avid direct ral, anal and genital cntact r minimize cntact by using a barrier methd crrectly and cnsistently. Frm a trusted, hnest, and cmmunicative mngamus relatinship. Limit yur number f sexual partners.

3 Talk t yur partner abut yur STI status. Use a cndm/dental dam prperly and cnsistently, and nly thse made f latex r plyurethane (nt animal skins ) every time yu have sex. Include STI testing as part f yur regular medical checkup. Learn the cmmn symptms f STI s (fr thse that have symptms). Remember, mst STIs d nt display symptms. D nt use drugs r alchl in ptentially intimate situatins as they can inhibit yur ability t make decisins and may affect yur dexterity. Get vaccinated fr Hepatitis A and B. Get vaccinated fr HPV if yu are a wman between the ages f 9 and 26. Cmmn STI Myths 1. My partner desn t have any symptms, we must be kay! False. Mst f the time, infected individuals are asymptmatic (d nt display symptms) but the persn can still spread the infectin t thers. The nly way t cmpletely knw yur STI status is t get an STI test. 2. STIs dn t affect cllege students! False. This is a cmmn misperceptin amng cllege students. Often times students refer t themselves as the three I s : Infertile, Immrtal, and Invincible. But, almst tw-thirds f STIs affect individuals ages 25 years and yunger. Tw f the mst cmmn STI s which appear in cllege students HPV and Chlamydia- ften d nt display any symptms.

4 3. There s n way my partner has an STI, they have had nly tw partners. False. Discussing sexual histries with a ptential (r current partner) is an imprtant part f prtecting yurself (and yur partner) frm STIs and unintended pregnancy. Hwever, knwing the number f partners des nt necessarily determine whether yur partner has had an STI r nt, nly that they might be at an increased risk fr cntracting an STI. The best advice is t cmmunicate penly and hnestly with yur partner, practice safer sex, and bth seek STI testing, regularly. 4. I knw I m fine because I just recently had my annual exam. Isn t STI testing included? N. STI screenings are nt necessarily a part f yur annual medical exam r Pap test. Ask yur healthcare prvider abut getting tested. Based n yur histry they will discuss with yu which tests are mst apprpriate. The nly way t knw yur STI status fr sure is t get tested. Talking with yur healthcare prvider abut sex and getting an STI test may seem scary, but early detectin is imprtant in preventing serius cmplicatins f undetected STI such as infertility r pelvic inflammatry disease (PID). S where can I get tested? Chsing where yu want t get tested can depend n a variety f factrs including cnfidentiality, cst, and lcatin. Listed belw are sme resurces lcated near Clumbia, MO fr testing ptins. Student Health Center The Student Health Center ffers cnfidential STI testing fr a nminal fee and yur visit is free and cvered by yur health fee. Call t make an appintment r talk with ne f the trained prfessinals at the Student Health Center.

5 Charges are based n the type f test required and culd range frm apprximately $10 t $85. Students can charge the fees fr the actual tests t their student accunt. T maintain yur cnfidentiality, the cst will shw up n yur MU bill as a health fee. Yur medical visit is free fr students. Call t make an appintment. The Student Health Center is lcated at the crner f Hitt Street and Hspital Drive n the 4 th flr f the University Physicians Medical Building. Bne Cunty Health Department BCHD ffers free and cnfidential STI testing and treatment. This service is available every Tuesday frm 5pm t 7pm as well as by appintment. BCHD als ffers free and cnfidential ral r bld HIV tests. This service is available at the walk in clinic n Thursday afternns r by appintment. BCHD als ffers free male and female cndms. Call fr mre infrmatin r t make an appintment. BCHD is lcated at: 1005 West Wrley Street, Clumbia MO, Visit them n the web at: Planned Parenthd f Kansas and Mid-Missuri Planned Parenthd ffers cnfidential and affrdable STI testing. While the clinic accepts many private insurances as well as Medicaid, it als ffers services based upn incme and ecnmic necessity. Call (573) fr an appintment. Clumbia s Planned Parenthd is lcated at 711 Nrth Prvidence Rd, Clumbia, MO S I have an STI nw what? Millins f peple are currently living with an STI in the United States and thrughut the wrld. D nt feel guilty, ashamed, r embarrassed when and if yu find ut yu have an STI. One in fur peple will cntract an STI at sme pint in their lives. The stigma and shame sme peple feel because f being diagnsed with an STI may lead t neglecting their sexual health. Dn t let embarrassment be a health risk fr yu. Mst peple sn realize that having an STI is nt smething they need t feel bad abut, and that besides a few lifestyle changes, their life really isn t much different. If yu are ne f the millins f peple living with an STI, here s what yu can d:

6 Bth partners shuld: Get treatment. Bacterial STI s can be treated and cured with antibitics. Viral STI s can be treated and symptms can be cntrlled with medicatin. Take all f yur medicatin as directed by yur dctr, fllwing the prescribed instructins. Talk penly and hnestly with yur medical prvider abut yur STI. Yur prvider is yur best surce f infrmatin. They can answer any questins yu have as well as prvide yu with helpful resurces. Get cnnected. There are lts f resurces available, including websites, cunselrs, and grups, that prvide places t get infrmatin and t talk abut any feelings yu may have abut yur STI. Avid sexual cntact until yu have cmpleted the whle treatment regimen (fr bacterial infectins such as Chlamydia and Gnrrhea) r until symptms have gne away (fr viral infectins such as Herpes). Cntinue use f barrier methds (cndms). Practice safer sex. Always use a barrier methd (female/male cndm r dental dam) when engaging in sexual activity, and d nt use drugs r alchl in intimate situatins. Talk with yur current partner(s) abut it. In general talking abut sex is difficult and talking abut STIs with yur partner may seem like the last thing yu want t d. Hwever, mst peple find that when they are cmfrtable with the persn they re planning t have sex with, it s nt as bad as it seems. Take a lk at the Cmmunicatin piece n the SHAPE Website fr help getting started.

7 Talk and ntify yur previus partner(s) s they can get tested and/r treated. Yu can d this with a simple phne call telling them t get tested. Remember that having an STI desn t change wh yu are, it just means a change in yur actins regarding sex. Sexually Transmitted Infectins: A Brief Overview Fr an nline tutrial and ther basic sexually transmitted disease infrmatin, check ut this link frm medline plus: Cmmn Symptms f STIs (in general): Yu shuld include STI testing as part f yur regular medical treatment whether r nt yu experience symptms. Here are sme cmmn symptms (if at all) that may alert yu t the presence f an STI: Pain and/r burning sensatin when urinating Disclred, smelly, r particularly heavy discharge Warts, lesins, r sres in the genital area Rash r itching in the genital area Painful intercurse Flu-like symptms such as fever, abdminal pain and fatigue Sme STI s, such as Trichmniasis, public lice, and scabies are caused by ther rganisms and are curable with antibitics r tpical creams.

8 1. Bacterial Chlamydia: Fr mre infrmatin visit the Centers fr Disease Cntrl and Preventin website at: Gnrrhea Fr mre infrmatin n Gnrrhea, visit the CDC s website at: Syphilis - Fr mre infrmatin n Syphilis, visit the CDC s website at: Trichmniasis ( Trich ) - Fr mre infrmatin n Trichmniasis, visit the CDC s website at: 2. Viral Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) - Fr mre infrmatin n HBV, visit the CDC s website at: Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV): Fr mre infrmatin n HSV, visit the CDC s website at:

9 Human Immundeficiency Virus (HIV) - Fr mre infrmatin n HIV, visit the CDC s website at: Human Papillma Virus (HPV) Fr mre infrmatin n the HPV vaccine, visit the CDC at: and American Scial Health Assciatin at: 3. Other STIs Scabies see belw Pubic Lice see belw Check ut and fr facts, answers, and resurces abut STDs. Fr infrmatin abut cllege students and STDs, take a lk at: Test yur STD knwledge at: Surces:

10 SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTION SUMMARY Infectin Pathgen Prevalence Symptms Transmiss. Prtectin Treatment Testing CX Chlamydia Silent Epidemicften n symptms; Gnrrhea -ften d nt shw symptms (80% wmen; 10% men); ccurs 2-10 days expsure Bacteria Mst cmmn teens/yun g adults; In 2005, 976,445 infectins reprted; increase 5.1% frm 2004 (CDC) Bacteria In 2005, 339, 593 infectins reprted (CDC) Discharge, Painful/bu rnurinatin, vaginal bleeding, lwer ab pain, nausea, fever (1-4 wks pst) Affect GI tract, muth, rectum; yellw, bldy discharge, same as abve; 90% men exhibit symptms Oral, anal, vaginal intercurse, perinatally, (rare) hand t eye Oral, anal, vaginal; n tilet seats (dies in few secnds) Lng, mutually exclusive, STI tested, barrier methds, abstain sex cntact Same as abve Treat and Cure Antibitics Treat &Cure, antibitics; drug resistant Culture, $40 SHC; prescreenin g f pregnant females Culture f dischargeurethra r cervical pening; $40 Sterility, Pelvic Inflammatry. Disease (PID); Sterility, PID, tubal pregnancie s, arthritis, inflammatin f heart valves

11 SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTION SUMMARY Infectin Pathgen Prevalence Symptms Transmiss. Prtectin Treatment Testing CX Syphilis Trepnema pallidum spirchete, requires warm, mist area t live 8,724 cases in 2005 (CDC) Mngamus relatinship, regular testing, barrier use, abstinence Early stages treated and cured, antibitics early n Reprt t state Trichmniasis (Trich) Prtzan, ne celled rganism 7.4 millin cases annually (CDC) Vary by stage; chancres, rashes, swllen glands, fatigue, hair/weight lss W: frthy, unpleasant dr discharge, itching, sptting; M: if ccur, swelling grin, irritatin, frequent urinatin, pain urinatin Open lesins, ral, anal, vaginal, perinatally, kissing; direct cntact with sre Vaginal intercurse Same as abve Oral antibitics (typically in ne dse); treat and cure Disfigurement, neurlgical disrder, heart disease, blindness, death

12 SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTION SUMMARY Infectin Pathgen Prevalence Symptms Transmiss. Prtectin Treatment Testing CX Hepatitis B Vaccine preventable disease Virus Three dse vaccine, clean needles, prtected sex N cure Can cause severe liver disease and death Herpes Simplex 1 & 2; skin cnditin; HSV-1 typically cld sres/fever blisters n muth; HSV-2 typically genital sres Virus Declined since 1980 t estimated 600,000 cases annually; 1.25 millin chrnically infected (CDC) Apprximately 45 millin (20%) in US has genital herpes; 1 in 5 adults 50% d nt shw symptms; flu-like symptmsfatigue, headache, fever, nausea, vmiting sres, blisters, cuts, pimples, rash n cervix, vagina, penis, muth, anus, buttcks; ccurs 2-20 days pst expsure; 4-5 times per year Bdily fluids such as semen, bld, urine; intimate r sexual cntactkissing, ral, anal r vaginal sex, unclean needles Skin t skin cntact, tuching, kissing, vaginal, anal, ral sex; can ccur even when n sres are present; n tilets, hugging r drinking same glass Barrier methds ffer sme prtectin, avid cntact with sres N cure; antiviral medicatins lessen utbreak frequencies SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTION SUMMARY

13 Infectin Pathgen Prevalence Symptms Transmiss. Prtectin Treatment Testing CX Virus In 2005; 37, Dn t N cure, Oral r 331 cases share antiviral bld annually needles, meds (CDC); at use barrier end f 2004; methd HIV (Human Immundeficiency Virus); weakens immune system unable t fight disease; can lead t AIDS (Acquired Immun Deficiency Syndrme) HPV (Human Papillma virus)- mst cmmn STI amng yung, sexually active yuth; highly cntagius; Vaccine perventable Virus 6.2 millin infected in U.S. annually; 20 millin living with disease; 50% sexually active men/wmen becme infected N symptms; average time 7-10 yr, develp pprtunistic infectins AIDS=fatigue, fever, weight lss, swllen lymph ndes, sweats, skin sres Genital warts genitals, anus, urethra, thrat (rare), cervix; usually asymptmatic Bld, semen, vaginal fluids, breast milk; behavirs=sharing needles, anal, vaginal, ral (rare), bld transfusins, perinatally Direct skin t skin cntact; ral, vaginal, anal sex, can transmit when warts are nt present Barrier methds, with direct sexual cntact N cure, wart remval Cervical Cancer

14 SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTION SUMMARY Infectin Pathgen Prevalence Symptms Transmiss. Prtectin Treatment Testing CX Scabies Miteburrws under skin; usually sexually transmitted Intense itching (at night), small bumps r rash appear between fingers, penis, buttcks, breasts wrists, thighs Clse persnal cntact and thrugh bedding Prescriptin medicines Pubic Lice- crabs ; Attach and eggs t pubic hair, underarm hair, eye lashes, eyebrws Insect Intense itching in genitals and anus; mild fever, irritability Intimate and sexual activity; cntact with infected bedding, clthing, uphlstered furniture and tilet seats Over The Cunter (OTC) medicatin