What is an STI? "STI" stands for "sexually transmitted infection." There are over 30 sexually transmitted infections. STIs can cause many problems from slight pain or irritation to sterility or even death. Many STIs do not have any symptoms and people do not realize they have an STI until serious complications set in, or until a partner advises them to go for treatment/screening. Who is at risk of contracting STIs? One out of every four Americans contract an STI in their lifetime. No one is immune from STIs. You are at a higher risk if you: * Have sex with an infected partner * Have more than one sexual partner * Change partners often * Have sex with someone who has had many sexual partners How can you reduce the risk of contracting an STI? The best protection against STIs is abstinence. If you are sexually active, there are things you can do to help protect yourself against STIs: * Use a latex condom lubricated with nonoxynol 9 every time you have sex (condoms with nonoxynol 9 are the method of birth control that offers the most protection against STIs) * Reduce the number of sexual partners you have and try to avoid having sex with someone who has many sexual partners * Learn about STIs and talk to your partner about STIs * If you have contracted an STI, be sure that you and your partner(s) receive treatment * Everyone who is sexually active should be tested for STIs periodically, including pregnant women who may pass an STI to a newborn baby How do you know if you have an STI? A health care provider can determine if you have an STI. Different methods are used to diagnose different STIs. It is recommended that all women who are sexually active or women over the age of 18 receive a complete gynecological exam every year. If a woman has contracted an STI, it can be diagnosed through the gynecological exam. Some common symptoms for both men and women are: * Abnormal discharge (may change in color, odor and appearance) * Genital itching and irritation * Pain during sexual intercourse or urination Where should you go to be tested or receive treatment for an STI? You can visit your health care provider, go to a family planning agency or to a Planned Parenthood Health Center. _________________________________________________________________ Sexually Transmitted Infections Planned Parenthood On-Line ---------- HIV/AIDS The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that can cause acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Infection with HIV weakens the body's ability to fight disease. How is HIV/AIDS transmitted? HIV is spread in blood, semen and vaginal fluids. The disease is spread by vaginal, anal and oral sexual contact; by sharing contaminated needles for injecting intravenous drugs or tatoos; by the transfusion of contaminated blood products; from a mother to her fetus during pregnancy and through breast feeding. Symptoms * Thick, whitish coating of the tongue or mouth which is called thrush * Unexplained, extreme fatigue * Rapid weight loss * Bruising easily * Long-lasting occurrences of diarrhea * Fever and night sweats * Swelling or hardening of glands located in throat, groin or armpit * Periods of deep, dry coughing not caused by illness or smoking * Shortness of breath * Discolored or purplish growths of skin or inside mouth * Severe numbness or pain in hands and feet * Loss of motor control and reflex * Altered state of consciousness,personality change or mental deterioration When will you notice symptoms? A person infected with HIV may not have any symptoms for 10 years or more, but, if tested, would be found to be HIV positive. During this asymptomatic time a person may infect others with HIV. It is not known if everyone who carries HIV will develop AIDS. But AIDS-related symptoms usually develop in 70-80% of adults and fully-developed AIDS is seen in 55-62% of adults who have tested positive. Diagnosis and treatment: The most common test for the HIV virus and the AIDS condition it causes is a test which looks for anti-bodies to the HIV virus in human blood. This test will not determine if the infection will develop into AIDS. There are other tests which have been found to be somewhat helpful in determining how far the disease has advanced. There is also no cure for AIDS at present. There are, however, several federally approved treatments for persons with AIDS. While the treatments will not cure the disease they may lengthen the life expectancy of some individuals. Knowing how far advanced the HIV infection is, is important because there are some treatments which may be effective in strengthening your immune system's ability to fight other, potentially life-threatening diseases. Is HIV/AIDS dangerous? HIV infections that develop into AIDS most often result in serious illness and death How can you avoid getting and spreading HIV? To avoid getting or spreading HIV/AIDS: * Abstain from vaginal, oral and anal sexual contact, OR: Always use a latex condom lubricated with nonoxynol 9 * Seek information about other safer sex practices * Do not share needles * Share information, both printed and verbal, with your partner(s) * Be tested for the HIV-virus if you have had unprotected sex with multiple partners or shared needles when injecting drugs * If you are infected with HIV, inform your sexual partner(s) * Seek medical advise, evaluation and screening if symptoms are present * Use caution when handling blood and other human body fluids _________________________________________________________________ Sexually Transmitted Infections Planned Parenthood On-Line ---------- CHLAMYDIA Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection (STI). It is a bacteria that infects the reproductive and urinary tract organs of both men and women. It is one of the most common STIs in the United States. How is Chlamydia transmitted? Chlamydia is spread by having sex (vaginal, oral or anal) with a person who has the infection. Symptoms The majority of women do not have any symptoms until complications set in. The same is true for men. Women may experience: * Change in vaginal discharge * Burning or pain while urinating * Pain in lower abdomen * Bleeding between menstrual periods or with intercourse * Change in periods, more painful periods * Slight fever * Swollen, reddened, and/or painful joints Men may experience: * Discharge from penis * Painful or frequent urination * Burning around the tip of penis * Swollen, reddened, and/or painful joints When will you notice symptoms? Chlamydia may be in the body for a long period of time before symptoms appear. But symptoms may develop between five and 14 days. Diagnosis and treatment A health care provider uses a special laboratory test to diagnose chlamydia. Chlamydia can be treated and cured with antibiotics. All partners must also be treated. Is Chlamydia dangerous? If left untreated, Chlamydia may progress to more serious problems. In women, Chlamydia infections usually begin in the cervix. If not treated, it can spread to the fallopian tubes or ovaries and cause an infection in these organs which is called pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID can cause sterility and lead to ectopic pregnancies. Other serious health problems related to not having Chlamydia diagnosed and treated are listed below. * Possible problems if not treated: * Severe infection * Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) * Damage to reproductive organs * Sterility (inability to have children) * Ectopic (tubal) pregnancy * Miscarriage, stillbirth or premature birth * Serious eye infections or pneumonia in newborn babies (during a vaginal delivery) * arthritis How can you avoid spreading Chlamydia? To stop the spread of Chlamydia: * Seek medical advise, evaluation and treatment if symptoms are present * Share information, both printed and verbal, with your partner(s) * Inform sexual partner(s) of the infection * Be sure sexual partner(s) receive treatment at the same time * Do not have sex of any kind until treatment is completed as directed * Wash hands well with soap and water after touching any discharge * Always use a latex condom _________________________________________________________________ Sexually Transmitted Infections Planned Parenthood On-Line ---------- HERPES Herpes is caused by two different, but closely related viruses: Herpes Simplex Virus I and Herpes Simplex Virus II. Herpes I is most commonly associated with relatively common cold sores and fever blisters. Herpes II is more harmful. Both forms of herpes may be sexually transmitted. How is Herpes transmitted? Herpes is a virus that may be transmitted through touching, kissing, vaginal, oral and anal sexual contact. Herpes is most contagious when the sores it causes are present on the body. Some people can be contagious even when symptoms are not present. Symptoms: * Recurring clusters of blisters that open into painful red sores. These may appear on the vagina, cervix, penis, mouth, anus or anywhere else the virus entered the body * Pain and discomfort around infected area * Itching * Burning while urinating * Swollen glands in the groin * Fever or headaches * Tiredness When will you notice symptoms? The first outbreak of symptoms usually takes two to 20 days (or longer) after the virus enters the body. The first outbreak is usually the most severe. Sores usually heal in two to three weeks, although the virus is still in the body. Diagnosis and treatment Herpes can be diagnosed through a combination of a pap smear, visual examination and viral tissue culture. There is no known cure for herpes, but there is anti-viral medication available that may relieve discomfort and speed the healing of sores. It also might be helpful to consult your health care provider about ways to strengthen your immune system. Is Herpes dangerous? During pregnancy, the presence of sores can cause problems with delivery and may effect the newborn baby. In addition, other existing health problems may make the herpes infection worse. Therefore, it is very important that you inform your health care provider that you have herpes. How can you avoid spreading Herpes? * To stop the spread of herpes: * Seek medical advise, evaluation and treatment if symptoms are present * Share information, both printed and verbal, with your partner(s), particularly information related to hygiene * Do not touch sores (if you do, wash hands well with soap and water) * Use extra caution when handling contact lenses * Always use a latex condom * _________________________________________________________________ Sexually Transmitted Infections Planned Parenthood On-Line ---------- VAGINITIS Vaginitis is an infection of the vagina and vulva. There are at least three types of vaginal infections that cause Vaginitis:Trichomonas; Bacterial Vaginitis; and Candidiasis or Monilia. How is Vaginitis transmitted? Trichomonas: is caused by a parasite, and is generally spread through sexual contact but can also be transmitted through non-sexual ways. It is found in both men and women. Bacterial Vaginosis is an overgrowth of several types of bacteria that may be normal to the vagina. It may or may not be spread through sexual contact. Candidiasis or Monilia is caused by a fungus, often called yeast, and is normally present in the vagina. An overgrowth of yeast causes a vaginal infection. It can be spread through vaginal, oral or anal sexual contact. Symptoms * Abnormal vaginal discharge (may change in color, odor and appearance) * Vaginal itching and irritation * Pain during sexual intercourse * Some people have no symptoms at all When will you notice symptoms? Each woman has her own pattern of normal, vaginal fluids. Learn your own normal pattern so that you can detect when abnormal vaginal discharge occurs. This may indicate Vaginitis. Diagnosis and treatment Trichomonas is treated with a prescription drug taken orally. Both males and females should be treated. Treatment for bacterial vaginitis is also a prescription drug taken orally or a vaginal cream. In recurring cases, sexual partners may also be treated. Candidiasis is treated with one of several non-prescription medications such as vaginal creams or suppositories. In repeat cases, an oral medication may be prescribed. In all three types of vaginitis, it is important to take all of the prescribed medication even if symptoms go away quickly. Is Vaginitis dangerous? Vaginitis is not usually a serious health problem. However, it is very important to see your health care provider because other infections that are serious have symptoms like vaginitis and may be present at the same time. These could include Chlamydia or Gonorrhea. Possible problems if not treated * Uncomfortable, painful vaginal area * Brning or discomfort with sexual ntercourse * Symptoms may be an indicator of a more serious problem or multiple infections * Irregular vaginal bleeding * May be spread to partners _________________________________________________________________ Sexually Transmitted Infections Planned Parenthood On-Line ---------- GENITAL WARTS Genital Warts, also known as condyloma acuminata, are caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV). There are over 60 kinds of HPV which cause a variety of warts and some types of cancers. Genital warts can occur in the genital and anal area, both inside and outside the body. Sometimes there are no symptoms of infection and people with HPV do not always know they have it. How are Genital Warts transmitted? Genital warts (HPV) may be transmitted through vaginal, oral or anal sexual contact. It is unknown whether the virus can be transmitted if warts are not visible or if the virus can be transmitted through non-sexual contact. Symptoms: Warts may be flesh colored, pink, red or grayish * Warts may appear smooth, round, raised or flat and can occur as single or multiple growths which resemble cauliflower * May have itching, burning, mild pain or slight bleeding depending on the area infected * Some people have no symptoms When will you notice symptoms? Symptoms may appear in one month or up to several years. Diagnosis and treatment Genital Warts are diagnosed on the basis of their appearance in the genital or anal areas. Sometimes special equipment or tests are necessary to diagnose genital warts. There is no cure for Genital Warts, but several treatments are available to treat the lesions themselves. The usual treatment consists of applying a medication to the warts. Other treatments include cryotherapy (freezing), electrocauterization (burning), they may be surgically removed, or treated by laser therapy. Genital Warts cannot be adequately treated by any over-the-counter preparations. If left untreated, Genital Warts may go away on their own, stay the same or grow. However, most health care providers recommend that they be treated. Because genital warts may be contagious, abstinence or the use of condoms during intercourse is recommended until the warts are no longer present. It also might be helpful to consult with your health care provider about ways to strengthen your immune system. Are Genital Warts dangerous? Genital Warts themselves are not dangerous. However, since Genital Warts often accompany other genital HPV infections, many health care providers consider such infections to be associated with precancerous conditions. Possible problems if not treated: * Contagious if warts are present * Some strains of the virus have been associated with an increased risk of cancer of the cervix, vulva or penis * Genital warts can recur * Warts may grow in size and block the opening of the vagina, urethra or anus How can you avoid spreading Genital Warts? To stop the spread of Genital Warts: Seek medical advise and evaluation if symptoms are present. Share information, both printed and verbal, with your partner(s) Do not have sex of any kind while warts are present Partners with obvious warts may also choose to seek treatment Always use a latex condom. _________________________________________________________________ Sexually Transmitted Infections Planned Parenthood On-Lin