STI revision

Chlamydia is when 

What is Chlamydia? Chlamydia is a sexual transmitted infection caused by Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria while having unprotected oral, anal, vaginal sex. Many other causes include touching the infected area and transferring it to your eyes or mouth Chlamydia is mostly common in young adults and teenagers but it can infect both men and women. What are the signs? The sign of chlamydia can go unnoticed for up twelve months.  More than half of women and a third or men don’t feel any signs at all. What are the Symptoms? In women the symptoms may include: An unusual vaginal discharge A burning feeling when urinating Pain during sex Bleeding or spotting between periods or bleeding after sex Lower abdominal pain. Men who have chlamydia usually do not have any signs or symptoms but if there are symptoms they might include: A discharge from the penis Discomfort when urinating Swollen and sore testesHow is it treated? If detected early chlamydia can be treated with a single dose of antibiotics. If complications still insist like pelvic inflammatory diseases for women. A longer term of antibiotics will need to be admitted What are the long term effects if untreated? In men long term affects include: ·         epididymitis ·         urethritis In Women long term affects include: v  pelvic inflammatory disease Interesting Facts: v  Because this infection has no symptoms in two of every three infected women and half of all men, it is a silent epidemic Chlamydia causes nearly half of the 1 million cases of PID (Pelvic Inflammatory Disease) each year.

What is Gonorrhea? Gonorrhea is sexual transmitted infection caused by the bacteria known as Neisseria. It usually affects the genital area, although the throat and the anus may also be involved. Gonorrhea affects both men and women and is easily transmitted during intercourse. It may also be transmitted during oral or anal sex. What are the signs? Signs of gonorrhea may go unnoticed for most people but for some men may experience: v  Smelly discharge v  Swollen testicles And women may experience: ·         Vaginal discharge ·         Pain when urinating What are the symptoms? Due to the lack of specific symptoms, the symptoms of gonorrhea can go unnoticed to 12 months or more. How is gonorrhea treated? Treatment of gonorrhea includes a dose of antibiotics although some strains of gonorrhea or gonorrhea transmitted overseas can be cured with penicillin or other forms of antibiotics. What are the long term effects if untreated? If left untreated gonorrhea can lead to infertility for both men and women. Other long term effects include: For women ·         HIV’s ·         Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) PID Symptoms Ø  Lower abdominal pain and tenderness Ø  Deep pain during sexual intercourse Ø  Heavy and painful periods Ø  Fever   For Men ·         Epididymitis ·         HIV’s Interesting Facts v  It affects all ages and races, but young adults are at a higher risk. v  People with gonorrhea can more easily contract HIV, the virus that causes AIDS v  Women are more likely to contract the disease than men.  

What is syphilis? Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by a bacterium called treponema pallidum. It can affect both men and women. Syphilis is transmitted through close skin to skin contact and is highly contagious when the syphilis sores or rashes. What are the signs? There may be no symptoms, but in the early stages you may develop a painless ulcer which can develop into a rash across the whole body, flu-like symptoms and swollen glands. If left untreated it can have serious long term effects including heart failure, shooting pains, dementia and widespread ulcers. What are the symptoms and Long term effects? The symptoms of syphilis happen in three stages. First stage may have no symptom but instead there may occur with a sore on the genital area, anus or the mouth. The sore would be: ·         Hidden from view, in the rectum or on the cervix ·         Painless ·         Appeared or appearing in three to four weeks after the infection Second stage of syphilis includes: ·         A flat, red skin rash on the soles of the feet or palms of the hands, or even can cover the entire body. ·         Swollen lymph nodes ·         Hair ·         Loss ·         Joint pain ·         Flu like illnesses Third stage of syphilis may occur 5 to20 weeks after in the infection and can affect various organs including the brain and the heart.  How is it treated? Syphilis is commonly treated with penicillin and antibiotics.

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