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Common Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome)
What
is it?
AIDS is the end-stage of HIV infection, manifested by severe 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 28 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 should take antiretroviral
treatments to control HIV and reduce the chances that their baby
will become infected.
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 with
combinations of drugs when their T-cell count is low or viral load high.
Those infected are offered combination antiretroviral
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 antiretroviral
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
Treatment Antibiotic medicine cures the disease.
Pregnancy Can be passed to baby during childbirth.
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.
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.
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, painless sores on genitals, mouth or anus. Second
stage: rash, swollen glands, fever or tiredness. If untreated, may damage
brain, eyes, heart and other organs.
Treatment Antibiotic medicine cures the disease.
Pregnancy
Can be passed to fetus during pregnancy and cause miscarriage, premature
birth, or birth defects.