What are Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)?

These are infections obtained by having unprotected sexual intercourse with a partner who has the infection. Sexual exposure may either be oral, vaginal-penile intercourse, anal penile intercourse. There are other STI that can be obtained through other means such as blood transfusion or by mere body contacts or through "fomites". One has to know how to prevent getting these infections.

What are the types of STIs?

STIs are classified according to the following:

1. Discharge syndromes - those that produces discharge. Eg. Gonorrhea, non gonococcal urethritis, post gonoccocal urethritis, vaginitis, candidiasis, trichomoniasisUlcerative syndromes- those infections that produces papular or skin ulcer lesions eg.herpes simplex, syphillis and chancroidNon ulcerative syndromes - eg. Scabies, venereal warts, crab lice
2. Others - eg. Hepatitis B, Infections mononucleosis, and HIV/AIDS

The following table shows you the difference among the different STIs:

A. Discharge (Tulo)

Type	Incubation Period	Causative Agent	Signs and Symptoms
1. Gonorrhea	2-7 days	Neisseria gonorrhea	vaginal & urethral discharge foul-smelling, yellow to yellow green, possibly pus-like, thick areas affected : urethra, anus, throat, vagina, joints, eyes
2. Non-gonoccal urethritis (NGU), Post-gonoccal urethritis (PGU)	10-14 days	Chlamydia trachomatis	itchiness, urethral discharge whitish, mucoid/less in quatity areas affected : urethra, eyes, vagina, throat, anus
3. Vaginitis	3-7 days	Gardnella	opaque-white discharge
4. Candidiasis/ Moniliasis	7-10 days	C Albicans yeast (fungus)	itchiness, white-cheesy, curd-like vaginal discharge sweet smelling
5. Trichomoniasis	7-14 days	protozoa	greyish-greenish, frothy, fishy odor, copious discharges strawberry cervix

B. Ulcerative

Type	Incubation Period	Causative Agent	Signs and Symptoms
1. Syphilis	9-90 days	Treponema pallidum	1st stage : chancre (firm, hard, painless ulcer, oval/round, well-delineated, usually solitary, heals in 2-6 weeks (with or without treatment) 2nd stage : rash on body (not itchy), areas affected: follicles, mucous areas; lymphadenopathy,"flu-like" can be latent for years 3rd stage: gumma, aneurysm, neurosyphilis (may cause stroke); may affect heart, brain (meningitis), bones; can be fatal
2. Herpes simplex	2-10 days	Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) oral-facial, Herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) -genital	multiple, painful shallow ulcers (cold sores) affected areas: genitals, face, fingers, eyes, brain
3. Chancroid	3-10 days	Haemophilus ducreyi	soft & tender ulcer painful, dirty-grey ulcers painful & enlarged lymphnodes (buboes)

C. Non-Ulcerative

Type	Incubation Period	Causative Agent	Signs and Symptoms
1. Scabies	7-10 days	Sarcoptes scabiei	"galis-aso" itchiness at night
2. Venereal warts	7-10 days	Human papilloma virus (type 6&11)	"kulugo" warts in genitals
3. Crab lice	7-10 days	Phthiuris pubis	itchiness nits ("jkuto sa buhok sa ari") reddish brown pinpoint marks/bite marks

D. Others

Type	Incubation Period	Causative Agent	Signs and Symptoms
1. Hepatitis B	6 weeks - 6 months	Hepatitis B virus	jaundice, abdominal pains, chalk-colored stools "flu-like"
2. Infectious mononucleosis	7-10 days	Epstein Barr virus	kissing disease flu-like symptoms
3. AIDS	3-12 years	HIV	depending on opportunistic infections that set in

What are the general principles as with regards to STIs?

• Co-infections are common
  An individual may have more than one form of STI Investigate. No single STI can be regarded as an isolated problem.
  An infected partner always exists!
  The sexual history and the management of the sexual partners are of imminent importance.
• Self-medication leads to resistance to antibiotics and complicates what would have been a simple treatment.

What is the relationship of STI with HIV/AIDS?

• STIs and HIV

1. STIs give reference to sexual behavior. STIs serve as co-factors to HIV (genital ulcers, history of STD increase probability of acquiring HIV) STIs provide an environment that is favorable for HIV.
2. STIs complicate treatment plan of a PWA.

• HIV and STIs

1. HIV makes a person more susceptible to STIs (or any diseases) secondary to immune deficiency.

What are the other classifications of STIs ?

A. STIs with genital discharge

1. Gonorrhea
2. NGU (Non-gonococcal urethritis)
   - PGU (Post- gonoccal urethritis)

B. STIs with ulcers

1. Syphilis Chancroid Herpes simplex Lymphogranuloma venereum
2. Granuloma inguinale

C. STIs with no ulcer or discharge

1. Venereal warts Scabies Phthiuris pubis
2. Hepatitis B

D. Genital diseases almost exclusively found in women

1. Candidiasis/ Moniliasis
2. Trichomoniasis

What are the classifications of STI according to Modes of transmission?

A. Sexual transmissions

All STIs except Infectious mononucleosis, trichomoniasis, cadidiasis/moniliasis

B. Blood transfusion

1. Syphilis
2. Hepatitis B

C. Perinatal transmission (mother-child)

1. Syphilis Hepatitis B B Herpes simplex
2. Gonorrhea

D. Non-sexual contact

1. Syphilis - contact with abraded skin Herpes simplex- contact with abraded skin Venereal warts- contact with infectious lesions
2. Scabies -clothing or linen

E. Kissing

1. Infectious mononucleosis
2. Herpes simplex

What are STDs?

STD stands for Sexually Transmitted Disease (SOMETIMES CALLED Sexually Transmitted Infection).  It is caused by sexual contact- vaginal, oral or anal--with someone who is infected.

What causes STD infection?

STD infection is caused by sexual contact-vaginal, oral or anal-with someone who is infected.  Other types of touching/kissing can also cause STD such as Herpes and HPV.

Aren't STDs only a problem for older people who sleep around?

No.  In fact, some STDs like Chlamydia and Gonorrhea are actually more common among the teens than among older men and women.  And you can get STD by a single sexual contact.

What are STD symptoms?

Most of the STD symptoms can be found either on the genitals or in and around the mouth, like sores or rash.

Who can I talk to about STD?

Talk to an adult-perhaps a parent, school nurse, teacher or family doctor--to get advice on where to have a test.  It's best to talk than worry on your own.

How do I check if I have STD?

You will have to undergo a blood and urine test or a swab from the vagina or penis.  Not all the tests need you to have physical examination, and you might not even have to undress.

What should I do if I have STD?

Get yourself treated by a doctor and don't have sexual contact with anyone until you have completed your treatment (antibiotics/medication) and are no longer infectious. It's important.

What if I have passed on STD to others?

It is important that you tell them so that they can have a test.  If they have been infected, they should also be treated and refrain from sexual contact till the infection is cured.

Can STD recur?

STD can recur if you haven't followed the instructions or completed the course treatment.  It is important that you complete your treatment.

How can I protect myself from STDs?

Use condoms during vaginal, oral and anal sex.  A girl can use a female condom or a boy can use a male condom.  Both male and female condoms shouldn't be used simultaneously.

Can you get STDs from kissing?

Some STDs (such as oral herpes) can be transmitted by touching or kissing.  You shouldn't have sexual contact with anyone who has visible sores or genital rashes.

Does masturbation cause STD?

No, masturbation does not cause STD

.How can I tell if someone has an STD?

Some people with STDs may have visible symptoms, but many people don't.  Also, you could have STD without visible symptoms but still be infectious.