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Women and Health: Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Infections
The following diseases and infections are spread through various forms of contact. While some may require the exchanging of bodily fluids, others may simply require contact. It is important to note that while these are deemed Sexually Transmitted Diseases, ejaculation or other shared body fluids are not always necessary to acquire these diseases and infections. The more you know the better you will be able to protect yourself.
STDs are diseases that are spread from person to person during sexual activity and contact. STD germs are spread from skin-to-skin contact with an infected person’s genitals, and through sex (anal, oral, and vaginal). If you think you might have an STD get medical treatment immediately. The following information may help you to identify symptoms if you think you have been exposed to an STD. STDs are preventable, but they won’t go away by themselves. It is important to realize that by protecting and educating yourself you are helping to protect your partners.
AIDS and HIV
Human Immunodeficiency Virus, HIV, is the virus which can lead to AIDS. This virus attacks and gradually weakens the body’s immune system and infects and weakens white blood cells (specifically CD4+ T cells) which fight off infections.
AIDS, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
Virginia Tech offers free and anonymous HIV Antibody testing. Please visit the following website to find out more or to see how you can get tested!
www.healthcenter.vt.edu/HIVtest.htm
Or contact the Montgomery County Health Department at (540) 381-7100 and ask for more information about their Anonymous HIV Antibody Testing. The following is a link to an article, “Women and HIV” found on www.wedmd.com :
webMD
If you are interested in more articles like this one or would like more information on HIV and AIDS, please contact your health care provider or search webmd.com. Chlamydia
Chlamydia is one of the most common STDs in the United States. Chlamydia is a bacterial infection found in both men and women. It can infect the rectum and urethra in men and women, as well as the cervix and upper reproductive organs in women. It is spread through the bacteria Chlamydia Trachomatis. Eighty percent of women with Chlamydia do not realize they have it because they experience few or no symptoms. Some symptoms of Chlamydia include:
Chlamydia can be cured with antibiotic medications prescribed by your doctor. Chlamydia will not cure itself. If you do have Chlamydia it is important to take all medication prescribed and you will need to inform your partner or partners so they can seek treatment as well.
Herpes
Herpes is an STD caused by the herpes simplex viruses (HSV). There are two types of herpes, HSV-1 and HSV-2. Both types of viruses have similar symptoms but infect different areas of the body.
HSV-1 is a strain of herpes which cause infections on the mouth and lips. Most people call these sores “fever blisters” or “cold sores.” This form of herpes can be transmitted from one person to another be coming in contact with the saliva of an infected person. HSV-1 can also be passed during unprotected oral-genital sex.
HSV-2 is a strain of herpes that can be found and released through sores that are caused by the virus. Typically, HSV-2 infections are spread during sexual contact with another person who has the genital HSV-2 infection.
Signs and symptoms of a possible herpes infection include:
There is no cure for herpes, however there are some antiviral medications available to help shorten and prevent herpes breakouts while taking the medication.
HPV (Genital Warts)
HPV, Human Papillomavirus, is a sexually transmitted disease that includes more than 100 different strands or types of genital infections. HPV is one of the most common STDs and the fastest spreading viral STD in the United States. According to the National Center for HIV< STD, and TB Prevention, “approximately twenty million people are currently infected with HPV. About 5.5 million Americans get a new genital HPV infection each year.
HPV is especially hard to recognize. In most people there are no signs or symptoms visible, in other cases some people have found visible genital warts.
This STD is spread through sexual contact. Because of the lack of symptoms for this disease, most infected persons are completely unaware of the infection and continue to spread the disease unknowingly.
Genital warts can appear “on the vulva, in or around the vagina and anus, on the cervix, and on the penis, scrotum, thigh, or groin.” Warts may appear within several weeks of the initial contact period of HPV, or it could take months.
There is no cure for HPV. A health care practitioner can treat genital warts but the warts can grow back. Ask your gynecologist about HPV testing at your next yearly PAP smear.
Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is another common sexually transmitted disease. It is caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae which can grow and multiply easily in mucous membranes of the body. Gonorrhea is unique from other STDs because it can cause infections on other areas of the body. Gonorrhea has been found to cause infections in the eye. If someone were to come in contact with infected genitals and then touch their eye, such an infection could occur.
Indicators that you may have gonorrhea include:
It is important for women to get tested if they suspect that they may have gonorrhea. Untreated cases of gonorrhea have been known to cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID can lead to long lasting pelvic pain and infertility.
Gonorrhea can be cured with antibiotics (generally pills or a shot). If you have been infected with gonorrhea inform your partner so they may be tested. It is also important to finish taking all pills to ensure full treatment, even if the infection appears to have gone away, it is necessary to finish proper treatment of the infection.
Syphilis
Syphilis is an STD spread by the bacteria, Treponema pallidum. Signs and symptoms of syphilis are often indistinguishable from those of other diseases. This STD is passed from person to person through direct contact with syphilis sores. Sores often occur on the external genitals, vagina, anus, or in the rectum, as well as on the lips or in the mouth.
There are several stages of syphilis. The first stage is the time between becoming infected with syphilis and the start of the first symptom, a single or multiple sores. This may take anywhere from 10 – 90 days. These sores will cure themselves after 3 – 6 weeks. However, if treatment is not provided, the infection will go into the secondary stage.
Symptoms experienced in the secondary stage may include a skin rash and some flu-like symptoms. The rash is usually seen on the palm of the hand or on the bottoms of feet. In addition to the rash, symptoms may include “fever, swollen lymph glands, sore throat, patchy hair loss, headaches, weight loss, muscle aches, and tiredness. A person can easily pass the disease to sex partners when primary or secondary stage signs or symptoms are present.”
Late syphilis begins with the disappearance of secondary symptoms. The symptoms of this stage are generally hidden, but the effects of this STD at this point can be extremely damaging. Internal damage has been found in the brain, eyes, nerves, blood vessels, liver, bones, and joints. Some signs of the late syphilis stage can be detected when you experience numbness, lack of muscle coordination, paralysis, as well as gradual blindness and dementia.
With the proper antibiotic treatment, syphilis can be cured. It is important to ensure that the treatment has cured the disease with a follow-up examination. Syphilis, if left untreated, may cause severe health problems or death. If you think you may have syphilis or any other STD you should contact your health care provider immediately to receive treatment.
If you have more questions or would like more information on any of the STDs or STIs listed above, please contact the Schiffert Health Center’s Women’s Clinic at 231-6569 or your current health care provider. Virginia Tech offers STD screening for a nominal fee. Women should contact the Women’s Clinic and men should schedule an appointment by calling 231-6444.
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