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April

Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Awareness Month

What are STIs?
STI’s are a variety of illnesses associated with human sexual behavior. In some cases, STIs can be transmitted through a contaminated needle, as well as through childbirth or breastfeeding. Although there are many known forms of STIs, the most common ones are bacterial vaginosis (BV), chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, human papilloma virus (HPV), and syphilis.  STI’s can be treated and prevented.

  • Most people infected with an STI do not experience any signs or symptoms.
  • Abstinence from sexual contact is the only sure way to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infection. Condoms do not provide 100% protection.

BV: Symptoms are abnormal vaginal discharge with a foul odor that may be white or gray in color and/or burning during urination or itching around the outside of the vagina. An estimated 1 in 3 women in the US will develop a case of bacteria vaginosis at some point their lives.

Chlamydia: Sometimes called the “silent” disease because almost 1/3 of women and ½  of men who are diagnosed do not experience any symptoms. Women may experience burning with urination. Less common symptoms include lower abdominal pain, low back pain, nausea, fever, painful intercourse, or bleeding between periods. Men report slight discharge and burning with urination or itching around the head of the penis. There is an estimated 2.8 million new cases of Chlamydia diagnosed each year in the United States. 

Gonorrhea: For women, initial symptoms include burning with urination, increased vaginal discharge, or bleeding in between menstruation. Men report a burning sensation when urinating, or a white, yellow, or green discharge. Occasionally men will experience swollen and painful testicles. The rate of gonorrhea among African Americans is 20 times higher than among whites (CDC, 2008).

Herpes: A sore occurs within the first 2 weeks of transmission and heals within 2-4 weeks. A second outbreak of sores, fever and other flu-like symptoms, or swollen glands may occur.  About 25% of Americans have genital herpes.

HPV: Genital warts and cervical cancer may occur from the human papilloma virus.

Syphilis: A single, firm, round, small and painless sore usually lasts 3-6 weeks. Skin rash occurs in the later phases of this infection. Since the year 2000 the rates of syphilis have been on the rise.

Other resources: http://www.cdc.gov/STI/default.htm

Prepared by Cailyn Kouns, Jessica Schiefer, Samantha Rambo: Capital University Nursing Students, 2/4/10

 

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