Sexually Transmitted Infections

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In today’s class, we will be talking about sexually transmitted infections. Enjoy the class!

Sexually Transmitted Infections

Sexually transmitted infection popularly known as (STI) are infections you can get by having sex with someone who has an infection. These infections are usually passed from person to person through vaginal intercourse. They can also be passed through anal sex, oral sex, or skin-to-skin contact.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are infections or diseases that are passed on during unprotected sex with an infected partner.  Some of the sexually transmitted diseases include the following:

• Chlamydia
• Gonorrhoea
• Trichomoniasis
• Genital warts.
• Genital herpes.
• Pubic lice.
• Scabies
• Syphilis
• HIV

Transmission signs

STI symptoms are not always obvious. If you think you, have STI symptoms or have been exposed to an STI, see a doctor. Some STIs are easy to treat and cure; others require more-complicated treatment to manage them.

Asymptomatic STIs:

Many STIs have no signs or symptoms (asymptomatic). Even with no symptoms, however, you can pass the infection to your sex partners. So it’s important to use protection, such as a condom, during sex. And visit your doctor regularly for STI screening, so you can identify and treat an infection before you can pass it on.

Some of the following diseases, such as hepatitis, can also be transmitted without sexual contact, by coming into contact with an infected person’s blood. Others, such as gonorrhoea, can only be transmitted through sexual contact.

• Chlamydia symptoms

It is a bacterial infection of your genital tract. Chlamydia may be difficult to detect because early-stage infections often cause few or no signs and symptoms. When they do occur, they usually start one to three weeks after you’ve been exposed to chlamydia. Even when signs and symptoms occur, they’re often mild and passing, making them easy to overlook.

Signs and symptoms may include:

1. Painful urination
2. Lower abdominal pain
3. Vaginal discharge in women
4. Discharge from the penis in men
5. Pain during sexual intercourse in women
6. Bleeding between periods in women
7. Testicular pain in men

• Gonorrhoea symptoms

Gonorrhoea is a bacterial infection of your genital tract. It can also grow in your mouth, throat, eyes and anus. The first gonorrhoea symptoms generally appear within 10 days after exposure. However, some people may be infected for months before signs or symptoms occur.

Signs and symptoms of gonorrhoea may include:

1. Thick, cloudy or bloody discharge from the penis or vagina
2. Pain or burning sensation when urinating
3. Heavy menstrual bleeding or bleeding between periods
4. Painful, swollen testicles
5. Painful bowel movements
6. Anal itching

• Trichomoniasis symptoms

Trichomoniasis is a common STI caused by a microscopic, one-celled parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis. This organism spreads during sexual intercourse with someone who already has the infection.

The organism usually infects the urinary tract in men, but often causes no symptoms. Trichomoniasis typically infects the vagina in women. When trichomoniasis causes symptoms, they may appear within five to 28 days of exposure and range from mild irritation to severe inflammation.

Signs and symptoms may include:

1. Clear, white, greenish or yellowish vaginal discharge
2. Discharge from the penis
3. Strong vaginal odour
4. Vaginal itching or irritation
5. Itching or irritation inside the penis
6. Pain during sexual intercourse
7. Painful urination

• HIV symptoms

It is an infection with the human immunodeficiency virus. HIV interferes with your body’s ability to fight off viruses, bacteria and fungi that cause illness, and it can lead to AIDS, a chronic, life-threatening disease.

When first infected with HIV, you may have no symptoms. Some people develop a flu-like illness, usually two to six weeks after being infected. Still, the only way you know if you have HIV is to be tested.

Early signs and symptoms

Early HIV signs and symptoms may include:

1. Fever
2. Headache
3. Sore throat
4. Swollen lymph glands
5. Rash
6. Fatigue

These early signs and symptoms usually disappear within a week to a month and are often mistaken for those of another viral infection. During this period, you’re highly infectious. More-persistent or -severe symptoms of HIV infection may not appear for 10 years or more after the initial infection.

As the virus continues to multiply and destroy immune cells, you may develop mild infections or chronic signs and symptoms such as:

1. Swollen lymph nodes — often one of the first signs of HIV infection
2. Diarrhoea
3. Weight loss
4. Fever
5. Cough and shortness of breath
6. Late-stage HIV infection

Signs and symptoms of late-stage HIV infection include:

1. Persistent, unexplained fatigue
2. Soaking night sweats
3. Shaking chills or fever higher than 100.4 F (38 C) for several weeks
4. Swelling of lymph nodes for more than three months
5. Chronic diarrhoea
6. Persistent headaches
7. Unusual, opportunistic infections

Prevention of STI

• Using protection when having sex

If you realize you have STI, see a doctor.

 

In our next class, we will be talking about HIV and AIDS.  We hope you enjoyed the class.

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