DEADLY SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES

NOTE (The only sure way to prevent sexually transmitted infections is to avoid having sex entirely.  Another approach is to talk about these kinds of infections before you have sex with a new partner, so that you can make informed choices about the level of risk you are comfortable taking with your sex life. )

GONORRHEA

Transmission:

Gonorrhea is usually spread through contact with the penis, vagina, mouth, or anus. Ejaculation does not have to occur for gonorrhea to be transmitted or acquired. Gonorrhea can also be spread from mother to baby during delivery.

Symptoms:

Men

Burning or stinging feeling when urinating, or a white, yellow, or green discharge from the penis. This is often accompanied by a strong smell from the penis. Sometimes men with gonorrhea get painful or swollen testicles, but this is not so common

Women

Painful or burning sensation when urinating increased vaginal discharge, or vaginal bleeding between periods. Women with gonorrhea are at risk of developing serious complications from the infection, regardless of the presence or severity of symptom

Long Term:

Damage of urethra and urinary tract, sterility, throat damage if contracted from giving oral

Treatment:

Curable with antibiotics (injection may be needed for throat/rectal infection)

Ceftriaxone 250 mg IM in a single dose

OR, IF NOT AN OPTION

Cefixime (SUPRAX) 400 mg orally in a single dose (see suprax below)

PLUS

Azithromycin (ZITHROMAX )1g orally in a single dose. Can be taken as 4 x 250mg or 2 x 500mg (see zithromax below)

OR

Doxycycline 100 mg orally twice a day for 7 days

Test:

Urine test and/or swab test of penis, throat, anus, or vagina

Trichomoniasis

Transmission:

 Unprotected vaginal sex

In women, the most commonly infected part of the body is the lower genital tract (vulva, vagina, or urethra), and in men, the most commonly infected body part is the inside of the penis (urethra)

Symptoms:

Burning urination, discharge

Men with trichomoniasis may feel itching or irritation inside the penis, burning after urination or ejaculation, or some discharge from the penis. 

Women with trichomoniasis may notice itching, burning, redness or soreness of the genitals, discomfort with urination, or a thin discharge with an unusual smell that can be clear, white, yellowish, or greenish.

Long Term:

Damage of urethra and urinary tract, sterility
Treatment:

Curable with antibiotics

Trichomoniasis can be cured with a single dose of prescription antibiotic medication (either metronidazole or tinidazole), pills which can be taken by mouth. It is okay for pregnant women to take this medication. Some people who drink alcohol within 24 hours after taking this kind of antibiotic can have uncomfortable side effects.
Test:

Urine test and/or swab test of penis or vagina

HERPES

Transmission:

 Oral, anal, vaginal sex or kissing, skin to skin contact with herpes sores or cells
Symptoms:

Blisters on genitals, thighs, buttocks, or mouth
Long Term:

Individuals vary; many continue to have regular outbreaks
Treatment:

No cure, but suppressive medications can reduce severity and number of outbreaks
Test:

Visual, culture from sore, or blood test

HEPATITIS B

Transmission:

Unprotected oral, anal, and vaginal sex or blood contact
Symptoms:

Symptoms develop within 30-180 days of exposure to the virus. The symptoms are often compared to flu. Most people think they have flu and never think about having HBV infection.

• Appetite loss
• Feeling tired (fatigue)
• Nausea and vomiting
• Itching all over the body
• Pain over the liver (on the right side of the abdomen, under the lower rib cage)
• Jaundice - A condition in which the skin and the whites of the eyes turn yellow in color
• Urine becomes dark in color (like cola or tea).
• Stools are pale in color (grayish or clay colored).

Long Term:

About 10% of infected adults become chronic
Treatment:

Bed rest; once you’ve had it, you won’t get it again; a vaccine is available

Test

Blood test

SYPHILIS

Transmission:

Oral, anal, and vaginal sex,direct skin to skin contact with chancre
Symptoms:

Primary: pain less chancre on genitals, mouth, or rectum; secondary: rash on hands/feet
Long Term:

May last one to three months and begins within six weeks to six months after exposure. People with secondary syphilis experience a rosy "copper penny" rash typically on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. However, rashes with a different appearance may occur on other parts of the body, sometimes resembling rashes caused by other diseases. They may also experience moist warts in the groin, white patches on the inside of the mouth, swollen lymph glands, fever, and weight loss.
Treatment:

Curable with antibiotics, but long-term damage can be irreversible if left untreated
Test:

Swab test of sore, blood test