Sexually Transmitted Infections

Chlamydia is a bacterial infection. It is transmitted via vaginal, oral, or anal sex, and some mothers who have it can pass it onto their baby during vaginal childbirth. 

• Symptoms: Although the majority of females do not have any symptoms, others can experience burning sensations while urination, pain during sexual intercourse, vaginal discharge/itching, and discomfort in the lower torso. It can also cause fever, nausea, and abnormal period cycles. Symptoms often aren’t noticeable until 1-3 weeks after exposure. Fifty percent of males typically do not experience symptoms. However, those that do may experience burning with urination, discharge from the penis or rectum, testicular pain, rectal pain, and itching. The incubation period for symptoms ranges from 5-14 days after exposure. 
• Treatments: Oftentimes antibiotics such as tetracycline, azithromycin, erythromycin, and doxycycline are sufficient in treating chlamydia. Doctors also recommend retesting 3 months after treatment. There are many long-term effects of chlamydia if left untreated such as chronic pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancy, and infertility.

Herpes is a common viral STI among sexually active students. There are two forms of the virus that cause herpes, HSV 1 and HSV 2. Although HSV 1 is a common cause of “cold sores”, either type can cause genital herpes. HSV can be transmitted from mouth to genitals during oral sex. Herpes can also spread through vaginal or anal sex, and many outbreaks occur because individuals who have the virus are asymptomatic.

• Symptoms: The average incubation period is four days (range 2-14 days).The symptoms are highly variable-often there are painful ulcers, burning when urinating,  swollen lymph nodes, and sometimes fever .Recurrent infection is common, but is usually not as severe as the primary infection.   
• Treatments: Retroviral drugs are the most common treatment for herpes, which tend to limit viral load and ease symptoms, though do not get rid of the disease entirely.

Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection transmitted via contact with the penis, vagina, anus, or mouth of an infected individual; it can also cause an eye infection. 

• Symptoms: The majority of people infected do not have symptoms. When they occur, symptoms typically begin within 10 days of exposure.  The uterine cervix is a common site of infection. When present, symptoms include vaginal discharge,burning,abdominal pain, and sometimes bleeding. Penile discharge and burning are also common symptoms.
• Treatments: The primary treatment for gonorrhea is a class of antibiotics called cephalosporins, which can be administered as an injection or pill.

HIV/AIDS (human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome) is a disease that severely weakens the immune system, preventing it from being able to fight off illness/infection. It is transmitted when HIV-infected blood or bodily fluids are shared, which occurs most often during unprotected sexual intercourse

• Symptoms: While there are no specific symptoms for HIV/AIDS, those who are infected may experience flu-like symptoms or a rash after initial infection. Undiagnosed and untreated cases can lead to extreme fatigue, weight loss, fever – all resulting from a weakened immune system. An estimated 10-60 percent of individuals with early HIV will not experience symptoms, although the exact number is difficult to estimate. The most common symptoms of acute HIV infection are fever, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, rash, and headache similar to mono. Early treatment is associated with diminished transmission and leads to improvement in the immune system’s ability to fight the infection.
• Treatments: The main treatment for HIV/AIDS is antiretroviral drug treatment. This is not a cure for the disease, but rather a method that helps reduce the symptoms associated with HIV/AIDS since it decreases the amount of the virus in the body.

HPV/Genital warts, also known as human papillomavirus, can cause abnormal cell growth in the genitals, anus, feet, mouth, and respiratory tract. There are many types(serotypes) of HPV, one of which is known for causing genital warts (HPV-6 and 11), and can lead to cervical cancer. It is transmitted via vaginal or anal sexual intercourse in most cases. 

• Symptoms: In both sexes, those who have HPV may experience growths in their genital and anal areas, such as the labia minora, vaginal opening, cervix, penis, urethra, and scrotum.
• Treatments: There is no cure for HPV, though the genital warts can be removed by a doctor. Additionally, there are two vaccines that are FDA-approved that can protect those with uteruses against the virus.

Syphilis is a bacterial infection caused primarily through contact with sores on genitalia. These sores are unrecognizable and painless, so an individual may not even realize they have the disease.

• Symptoms: For those with uteruses, painless sores may appear around the genital area or even the tongue or lips. As the disease progresses, these sores may appear red like a rash, and may cause headache or fever. For those with penises, a similar growth will appear on the penis and eventually go away on its own; however, as time goes on more will develop that may have rash-like features and can become pus-filled.
• Treatments: The primary treatment for this disease is antibiotics if detected early. In late-stages of syphilis, however, damages to organs may be irreversible.

Trichomoniasis “Trich” is the most common curable STI in those with uteruses. It can cause conditions of vaginitis, yeast infection, or bacterial vaginosis. The disease is transmitted sexually and can affect both sexes.

• Symptoms: 50% of those with uteruses are asymptomatic, but the other 50% may experience discharge and itching within 1-4 weeks of contraction. Those with penises are also typically asymptomatic, but can also experience nonspecific urethritis and cystitis. This results in irritation and slight burning after ejaculation or urination, irritation inside the penis, and mild discharge. A third of those infected will heal themselves, but long-term infection may cause prostate inflammation and cancer.
• Treatments: Trich is treated with a single dose of antibiotic, metronidazole.