April is National STD Awareness Month

Here are some quick facts...

DISEASE ORGANISM EFFECTS TREATMENT

HIV/AIDS

>944,306 total AIDS cases to date; Mortality 45,000/year; About 2 million infected already (United States)

Virus

Human immunodeficiency Virus

(HIV)

Men and women asymptomatic for years; Profound Immune impairment; Median 10 years from infection to AIDS

Not curable; Prophylaxis for PCP improved survival; Antiretrovirals may slow progression of infection

Hepatitis B

73,000 incidence/year; About 2 million infected; Mortality 4,000-5,000 per year (est.)

Virus

HBV

May progress to cirrhosis, liver cancer, or chronic state 15-25% of chronic HBV carriers die prematurely

Not curable

Vaccine-Preventable

Gental Warts

(Condylomata Acuminata)

500,000-1,000,000 new cases ; >24,000,000 prevalence

Virus

100 strains of Human Papillomavirum (HPV)

Associated with cervical and penile cancer

Curable if treated early.

External warts can be eradicated; TCA podophyllum, cryosurgery, or CO2 laser surgery

Herpes

200,000-500,000 incidence

>31,000,000 prevalence

Virus

HSV 1 & 11

Local, superficial, chronic effects for most people; Severe fetal effects, initiator for cervical cancer?

Not Curable

Acyclovir decreases symptoms

Chlamydia

4,000,000/year

Bacterium-like obligate intracellular organism Chlamydia trachomatis

80-90% of women asymptomatic; Pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility if untreated; Newborn conjunctivitis and pneumonia

Curable

Doxycyline, Azithromycin

Gonorrhea

1,100,000/year

Bacterium

Neisseria gonorrhea

80-90% of women asymptomatic; Pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility if untreated; Newborn conjunctivitis

Curable

Ceftriazone IM, Cefixime, Ciprofloxacin or Ofloxacin

Syphillis

120,000/year

Spirochete,

Treponema pallidum

Systemic, permanent damage if untreated; Severe fetal damage

Curable through stages 1 and 2

Benzathine Penicillin

Trichomoniasis

3,000,000 year

Protozoan

Trichomonas vaginalis

Local, superficial effects only

Curable

Metronidazole

 

STD

SYMPTOMS

DIAGNOSIS

TREATABLE

THERAPY

RESULT IF LEFT UNTREATED

Chlamydia

Pain and burning when urinating, discharge

Lab exam of fluid from the infected area

Yes

Antibiotic pills that kill bacteria

Pelvic infections PID Sterility (can't have children)

Crabs

Severe itching

Visual

Yes

Over-the-counter or prescription lotion

Continuing symptoms

Cytomegalovirus (CMV)

No symptoms; or fever, fatigue; or severe illness in people with damaged immune systems

Lab exam of fluids of skin; blood test

No

Shots to slow progress of serious eye infection in people with immune damage

Healthy people--symptoms go away but may come back. People with immune damage-- severe mononucleosis, blindness, dangerous blood disorders, lung damage

Genital herpes

Pain and burning when urinating, red bumps/blisters in genital area

Lab exam of fluid from the sore

Yes (but can't be cured)

Pills and ointment

Prolonged and more severe symptoms

Genital Warts

Bumpy warts on/near genitals

Visual

Yes (but can't be cured)

Burning or liquid removal of warts

May lead to some cancers

Gonorrhea

Pain or burning when urinating, yellow discharge

Lab exam of fluid from infected area

Yes

Antibiotic pills that kill bacteria

Pelvic infections , PID, Sterility

Hepatitis B

Nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, yellow skin

Blood tests

Yes (but can't be cured)

Pills, shots to treat symptoms/complications, not disease

Liver damage

HIV disease

Can be all, some or none of these:flu like, persistant shortness of breath, dry, unproductive cough, white patches in mouth, a new skin rash, weight loss of 10 or more pounds, unexplained diarrhea

Blood Test, some locations have ora-sure

Yes (but can't be cured)

Drugs (pills) that slow progress of virus, drugs that fight infections

Dangerous infections, disease prgresses faster

Syphilis

Chancre sore, rash, genital ulcers

Lab exam of tissue, fluids/blood test

Yes

Penicillin shots to kill bacteria

Blindness, heart disease, Brain damage

Trichomoniasis

Itching in/around vagina, strawberry colored rash

Lab exam of fluids, urine test

Yes

Pills

Men - prostate damange; Women - Continuing syptoms

If you engage in unprotected sex, visit prostitutes, use intravenous drugs, use non-intravenous drugs such as: alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, PCP, Speed, Crank Crack, Heroin and as a result of using you engage in unprotected sex, YOU are at RISK for contracting any of the above listed diseases.

THINK, before you have SEX.

Last UPdate:  09/22/2006