Some 56 million Americans have an STI other than HIV and many more are infected each year. A sexually
transmitted infection (STI; formerly called sexually transmitted disease or STD) is caused by a virus, parasite,
fungus, or bacterium that can be passed from one person to another through intimate or sexual contact.
There are nearly 30 STIs in the world. Some can be cured, and some an only be treated by not cured. If
you have any symptoms or believe you might have a sexually transmitted disease, please see a physician
immediately. A medical doctor will be able to diagnose your condition, give you
Bacterial
Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea ("clap"), a common disease worldwide, is caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. There
are over 650,000 new cases in the U.S. each year. 82% of cases of gonorrhea occur in teenagers and
young adults, and females are twice as likely to become infected after one act of intercourse with an infected
male as males are after one act of intercourse with an infected female. Gonorrheal infections may be
asymptomatic in both sexes.
Symptoms of exposure include urethral or vaginal discharge and frequent and painful urination. Bacterial
culture confirms diagnosis. Gonorrhea requires antibiotic to resolve, so see your doctor for appropriate
diagnosis and treatment. Penicillin used to be the drug of choice but many strains have become resistant.
Sexual partners should be treated and intercourse avoided until the infection is cured. Untreated gonorrhea
can damage the heart or cause a form of arthritis.
Chlamydia
Chlamydia is caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis. Infection with Chlamydia is often concurrent with
gonorrheal infections. Chlamydia is the most frequently reported and fastest spreading STD in the United
States. More than 3 million men and women in the .S. are diagnosed each year. Infection without symptoms
and latent disease are not uncommon.
Males typically experience painful and frequent urination and a urethral discharge 7-21 days after exposure.
Females often do not have any symptoms and the infection is discovered in conjunction with a Gonorrheal
infection. Chlamydia requires antibiotics to resolve. A physician should be consulted for appropriate
diagnosis and treatment. Sexual partners should be treated and intercourse avoided until the infection is
cured.
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Pelvic inflammatory disease is a complication of Gonorrhea or Chlamydia. It is an infection that generally
involves the uterus, fallopian tubes, or pelvic area. Symptoms vary but usually include abdominal pain and
tenderness, fever and vaginal discharge.
This is a very serious infection and requires antibiotics to treat and may also require hospitalization. A doctor
should be consulted for appropriate diagnosis and treatment. If untreated or inadequately treated, it may
result in infertility and/or sterility.
Syphilis
There are more than 70,000 new cases of syphilis each year in the U.S. caused by the spirochete bacteria
Treponema pallidum. The risk of infection with syphilis after a single exposure is ~50%. Syphilis has four
clinical stages -- primary, secondary, tertiary and congenital (passed from mother to baby). The primary
stage occurs between 10 and 90 days after infection and causes an ulcer at the site of infection. The primary
stage is highly infectious. Secondary syphilis occurs about 6 weeks after the primary stage and
causes a rash all over the body, fever headache, loss of appetite and joint pain. The tertiary form of syphilis
has many different forms and may present without any external signs or symptoms. If untreated, the third
stage, can affect the heart, brain or other vital organs.
Syphilis is usually diagnosed by a blood test, The disease can cause many problems in all areas of the body
including the heart, brain, skin, bone, upper respiratory tract and liver. Syphilis requires antibiotics to
resolve. Consult a doctor for appropriate diagnosis and treatment.
Bacterial Vaginosis
This is a vaginal bacterial infection caused by several bacteria that are normally harmless. Signs and
symptoms include malodorous vaginal discharge, but you may or may not be symptomatic. This infection
requires antibiotics to treat. Consult a doctor for appropriate diagnosis and treatment.
Protozoal
Trichomoniasis
Trichomoniasis is a readily curable infection caused by the protozoa Trichomonas vaginalis. Common signs
and symptoms include a mild to severe malodorous vaginal discharge, intense itching and painful urination;
males may not have any symptoms.
Trichomoniasis requires antibiotic therapy, so see your doctor for appropriate diagnosis and treatment. The
drug of choice is metronidazole (Flagyl®). It is very effective but may produce several side effects. Both
partners should be treated.
Viral
Genital Herpes
The Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) causes a recurrent, incurable viral disease that has two forms, HSV-1 and
HSV-2. HSV-1, generally appears as cold sores around the face--especially the mouth. HSV-2, generally is a
sexually transmitted disease that manifests as genital lesions.
First episode, initial infection: this presents with flu-like symptoms, clusters of lesions on the genitalia that can
ulcerate and spread. It may take 2-3 weeks before the lesions scab over and heal.
After the initial infection, the virus settles in the nerve root ganglia -- heads of nerves that run parallel to the
spinal cord -- and remains dormant until stress or other factors reactivate it.
Recurrent infections begin in about 50% of patients with a "prodrome" pre-reactivation flu-like symptoms and
tingling around the area where the lesions will be.
There is no cure for herpes, however, there are a few drugs that will help shorten the duration of the
symptoms and relieve the discomfort associated with herpes. These are antiviral drugs and they are
available by prescription only. Therefore, see your doctor for appropriate diagnosis and treatment.
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)
Some 5.5 million new cases of HPV infection are reported each year in the U.S.. Twenty million Americans,
men and women alike, are infected with this virus. HPV is a double stranded DNA virus that is the causative
agent of genital warts. There are more than 65 types of the virus. The lesions are usually papules or plaques
that may be hard to see. In women, the infection may be intravaginal or cervical. If the cervix becomes
affected, cervical cancer can result.
There is no cure and the warts may recur at any time, however there are treatment options. Destructive
treatment includes removal of the warts by the use of lasers, freezing or burning. Some medications may be
applied by a physician or the patient with proper training , but there are some side effects. These include
pain, burning, inflammation, skin erosion, scarring, and the medications should not be used during
pregnancy. Individuals with genital warts are also at risk for other STDs.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. Some 900,000 Americans are estimated to be infected with HIV with 40,000
being added each year. Half of these cases are in those under 25 years of age. The virus can be spread by
coming in contact with the bodily fluid (semen, vaginal fluid, blood & breast milk) of an infect person.
The virus that enters the body through the transmission of bodily fluids and then begins to attack the immune
system cells (T Lymphocytes) in order to reproduce itself. As the virus continues to replicate. As the amount
of HIV virus in the body increases, the immune system is further impaired and opportunistic infections
become more common. Some of the most common infections include thrush , Kaposi's Sarcoma (cancer),
pneumonia, recurrent herpes infections, and in later stages severe bacterial, protozoal or
,fungal blood stream infections.
HIV seriously weakens an individuals' immune system and eventually some individuals will contract AIDS.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), a combination of signs and symptoms characterized by the
lack of an effective immune system (the internal defense against infection, such as viruses and bacteria).
There are many medications available to help slow the progression of HIV, however no cure is currently
known and many infections are drug resistant. Clearly prevention of infection is rational and desirable. If you
have questions and also for appropriate diagnosis and treatment, talk to a doctor.
This information is not designed to replace the advice and/or diagnosis of a medical physician and/or mental
health clinician. For more information about sexual transmitted infections, please contact your physician or
local health department.
Return to Sexual Health
transmitted infection (STI; formerly called sexually transmitted disease or STD) is caused by a virus, parasite,
fungus, or bacterium that can be passed from one person to another through intimate or sexual contact.
There are nearly 30 STIs in the world. Some can be cured, and some an only be treated by not cured. If
you have any symptoms or believe you might have a sexually transmitted disease, please see a physician
immediately. A medical doctor will be able to diagnose your condition, give you
Bacterial
Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea ("clap"), a common disease worldwide, is caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. There
are over 650,000 new cases in the U.S. each year. 82% of cases of gonorrhea occur in teenagers and
young adults, and females are twice as likely to become infected after one act of intercourse with an infected
male as males are after one act of intercourse with an infected female. Gonorrheal infections may be
asymptomatic in both sexes.
Symptoms of exposure include urethral or vaginal discharge and frequent and painful urination. Bacterial
culture confirms diagnosis. Gonorrhea requires antibiotic to resolve, so see your doctor for appropriate
diagnosis and treatment. Penicillin used to be the drug of choice but many strains have become resistant.
Sexual partners should be treated and intercourse avoided until the infection is cured. Untreated gonorrhea
can damage the heart or cause a form of arthritis.
Chlamydia
Chlamydia is caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis. Infection with Chlamydia is often concurrent with
gonorrheal infections. Chlamydia is the most frequently reported and fastest spreading STD in the United
States. More than 3 million men and women in the .S. are diagnosed each year. Infection without symptoms
and latent disease are not uncommon.
Males typically experience painful and frequent urination and a urethral discharge 7-21 days after exposure.
Females often do not have any symptoms and the infection is discovered in conjunction with a Gonorrheal
infection. Chlamydia requires antibiotics to resolve. A physician should be consulted for appropriate
diagnosis and treatment. Sexual partners should be treated and intercourse avoided until the infection is
cured.
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Pelvic inflammatory disease is a complication of Gonorrhea or Chlamydia. It is an infection that generally
involves the uterus, fallopian tubes, or pelvic area. Symptoms vary but usually include abdominal pain and
tenderness, fever and vaginal discharge.
This is a very serious infection and requires antibiotics to treat and may also require hospitalization. A doctor
should be consulted for appropriate diagnosis and treatment. If untreated or inadequately treated, it may
result in infertility and/or sterility.
Syphilis
There are more than 70,000 new cases of syphilis each year in the U.S. caused by the spirochete bacteria
Treponema pallidum. The risk of infection with syphilis after a single exposure is ~50%. Syphilis has four
clinical stages -- primary, secondary, tertiary and congenital (passed from mother to baby). The primary
stage occurs between 10 and 90 days after infection and causes an ulcer at the site of infection. The primary
stage is highly infectious. Secondary syphilis occurs about 6 weeks after the primary stage and
causes a rash all over the body, fever headache, loss of appetite and joint pain. The tertiary form of syphilis
has many different forms and may present without any external signs or symptoms. If untreated, the third
stage, can affect the heart, brain or other vital organs.
Syphilis is usually diagnosed by a blood test, The disease can cause many problems in all areas of the body
including the heart, brain, skin, bone, upper respiratory tract and liver. Syphilis requires antibiotics to
resolve. Consult a doctor for appropriate diagnosis and treatment.
Bacterial Vaginosis
This is a vaginal bacterial infection caused by several bacteria that are normally harmless. Signs and
symptoms include malodorous vaginal discharge, but you may or may not be symptomatic. This infection
requires antibiotics to treat. Consult a doctor for appropriate diagnosis and treatment.
Protozoal
Trichomoniasis
Trichomoniasis is a readily curable infection caused by the protozoa Trichomonas vaginalis. Common signs
and symptoms include a mild to severe malodorous vaginal discharge, intense itching and painful urination;
males may not have any symptoms.
Trichomoniasis requires antibiotic therapy, so see your doctor for appropriate diagnosis and treatment. The
drug of choice is metronidazole (Flagyl®). It is very effective but may produce several side effects. Both
partners should be treated.
Viral
Genital Herpes
The Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) causes a recurrent, incurable viral disease that has two forms, HSV-1 and
HSV-2. HSV-1, generally appears as cold sores around the face--especially the mouth. HSV-2, generally is a
sexually transmitted disease that manifests as genital lesions.
First episode, initial infection: this presents with flu-like symptoms, clusters of lesions on the genitalia that can
ulcerate and spread. It may take 2-3 weeks before the lesions scab over and heal.
After the initial infection, the virus settles in the nerve root ganglia -- heads of nerves that run parallel to the
spinal cord -- and remains dormant until stress or other factors reactivate it.
Recurrent infections begin in about 50% of patients with a "prodrome" pre-reactivation flu-like symptoms and
tingling around the area where the lesions will be.
There is no cure for herpes, however, there are a few drugs that will help shorten the duration of the
symptoms and relieve the discomfort associated with herpes. These are antiviral drugs and they are
available by prescription only. Therefore, see your doctor for appropriate diagnosis and treatment.
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)
Some 5.5 million new cases of HPV infection are reported each year in the U.S.. Twenty million Americans,
men and women alike, are infected with this virus. HPV is a double stranded DNA virus that is the causative
agent of genital warts. There are more than 65 types of the virus. The lesions are usually papules or plaques
that may be hard to see. In women, the infection may be intravaginal or cervical. If the cervix becomes
affected, cervical cancer can result.
There is no cure and the warts may recur at any time, however there are treatment options. Destructive
treatment includes removal of the warts by the use of lasers, freezing or burning. Some medications may be
applied by a physician or the patient with proper training , but there are some side effects. These include
pain, burning, inflammation, skin erosion, scarring, and the medications should not be used during
pregnancy. Individuals with genital warts are also at risk for other STDs.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. Some 900,000 Americans are estimated to be infected with HIV with 40,000
being added each year. Half of these cases are in those under 25 years of age. The virus can be spread by
coming in contact with the bodily fluid (semen, vaginal fluid, blood & breast milk) of an infect person.
The virus that enters the body through the transmission of bodily fluids and then begins to attack the immune
system cells (T Lymphocytes) in order to reproduce itself. As the virus continues to replicate. As the amount
of HIV virus in the body increases, the immune system is further impaired and opportunistic infections
become more common. Some of the most common infections include thrush , Kaposi's Sarcoma (cancer),
pneumonia, recurrent herpes infections, and in later stages severe bacterial, protozoal or
,fungal blood stream infections.
HIV seriously weakens an individuals' immune system and eventually some individuals will contract AIDS.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), a combination of signs and symptoms characterized by the
lack of an effective immune system (the internal defense against infection, such as viruses and bacteria).
There are many medications available to help slow the progression of HIV, however no cure is currently
known and many infections are drug resistant. Clearly prevention of infection is rational and desirable. If you
have questions and also for appropriate diagnosis and treatment, talk to a doctor.
This information is not designed to replace the advice and/or diagnosis of a medical physician and/or mental
health clinician. For more information about sexual transmitted infections, please contact your physician or
local health department.
Return to Sexual Health
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| Sexually Transmitted Infections |