|
Common
Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
AIDS
(Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome)
What
is it?
AIDS is the end-stage of HIV infection, manifested by
sever immune system deficiency or a set of serious,
life-threatening ("opportunistic") diseases.
How
long after contact can it cause an infection?
AIDS can occur from as early as 1-2 months after infection
with HIV to (more commonly) 10 or more years after infection,
without treatment.
Symptoms
AIDS is diagnosed by a very low CD-4 count (less than
200 per mil. of blood) or by any of 23 very serious
"opportunistic" diseases.
Treatment
People with AIDS are generally treated for HIV infection,
for any of the specific opportunistic diseases they
may have, and with drugs to prevent diseases.
Pregnancy
Women with AIDS who become pregnant shoud take anti-retroviral
treatments to control HIV and reduce the chances
that their baby will become infected.
TOP
HIV
(Human Immunodeficiency Virus)
What
is it?
HIV is an RNA-based virus that infects CD-4 cells and
gradually destroys a host's immune system.
How
long after contact can it cause an infection?
HIV infection is generally established within several
days (or perhaps even several hours) of an effective
exposure.
Symptoms
About half of people who become newly HIV-positive develop
one or more of the following symptoms:
- Fever
- Rash
- Sore
throat
- Sever
fatigue
- Swollen
lymph glands
- Night
sweats
Treatment
Persons newly infected with HIV are encouraged to access
treatment iwth combinations of drugs when their T-cell
count is low or viral load high. Those infected are
offered combination anti-retroviral
treatment in accord with established guidelines.
If taken as prescribed, such treatments are often successful
in prolonging life and in reducing morbidity and mortality.
Pregnancy
HIV can be transmitted from an HIV-infected woman to
her baby during pregnancy or at delivery. All pregnant
women should be tested for HIV and those with infection
will be recommended anti-retroviral
treatment to reduce the chances that the baby will
become infected with HIV. Such treatment is highly effective
and apparently non-toxic to the baby.
TOP
Chlamydia
What
is it?
Bacteria which causes infections in urethra, cervix,
and pelvic organs in women. Usually infects urethra
(urine passage) in men.
How
long after contact can it cause an infection?
7 to 21 days.
Symptoms
Unusual discharge or burning feeling from penis or vagina.
Some women may have "spotting" (light bleeding)
between periods.
Treatment
Antibiotic medicine cures the disease.
Pregnancy
Can be passed to baby during childbirth.
TOP
Genital
Herpes
What
is it? Virus which causes sores on sex organs
or mouth.
How
long after contact can it cause an infection?
6 to 21 days.
Symptoms
Small, painful sores/blisters on genitals.
Treatment
No known cure for herpes. Treatment is to reduce pain
and speed healing. Sores heal but may appear again.
Pregnancy
Can be passed to baby during childbirth and cause serious
infections.
TOP
Genital
Warts
What
is it?
Virus which infects the sex organs and may cause warts
or bumps.
How
long after contact can it cause an infection?
1 to 20 months.
Symptoms
Small, painless bump on genitals; may itch.
Treatment
No know cure for wart virus. If visible, wart can be
removed but the virus remains.
Pregnancy
Can be passed to baby during childbirth.
TOP
Gonorrhea
What
is it?
Bacteria which most often infects cervix and urethra
(urine passage). Can also infect throat or rectum. Can
spread to testicles in men or to the pelvic area in
women. Can cause PID in women.
How
long after contact can it cause an infection?
2 to 7 days.
Symptoms
Unusual discharge or burning feeling from penis or vagina.
Some women may have spotting between periods.
Treatment
Antibiotic medicine cures the disease.
Pregnancy
Can be passed to baby during childbirth.
TOP
NGU
(Non-Gonococcal Urethritis)
What
is it?
Infection in the urethra, which may be caused by a variety
of bacteria.
How
long after contact can it cause an infection?
7 to 21 days.
Symptoms
Unusual discharge or burning feeling from urethra (urine
passage).
TreatmentAntibiotic
medicine cures the disease.
Pregnancy
Can be passed to baby during childbirth.
TOP
PID
(Pelvic Inflammatory Disease)
What
is it?
Infection of the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries
in women. Usually caused by gonorrhea
or chlamydia.
How
long after contact can it cause an infection?
2 to 21 days.
Symptoms
Pain in lower abdomen or back. May have fever, nausea,
vomiting, bleeding between periods, heavy periods, pain
during intercourse, and vaginal discharge.
Treatment
Antibiotic medicine cures the disease.
Pregnancy
May cause premature birth.
TOP
Pubic
Lice or Scabies
What
is it?
Small insects that live on skin in pubic area. Scabies
may also be found on waist, hands, or other parts of
the body.
How
long after contact can it cause an infection?
3 days to several weeks.
Symptoms
Rash and itching, which may be worse at night.
Treatment
Treated with medicated lotion or shampoo.
TOP
Syphilis
What
is it?
Bacteria which causes infections on sex organs and will
spread throughout body if untreated.
How
long after contact can it cause an infection?
10 to 90 days.
Symptoms
First stage: small, painles ssores on genitals, mouth
or anus. Second stage: rash, swollen glands, fever or
tiredness. If untreated, may damage brain, eyes, heart
and other organs.
TreatmentAntibiotic
medicine cures the disease.
Pregnancy
Can be passed to fetus during pregnancy and cause miscarriage,
premature birth, or birth defects.
TOP
BACK
|
