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Vaginitis

September 23, 2010 By

Vaginitis is an inflammation of the vagina and the vulva. It occurs when the normal balance within the vagina is upset, allowing an excess of organisms to produce an excess of waste.

There are three types of vaginitis:
gardnerella, monilia, and trichomoniasis.

How is it spread?

Only garnerella and monilia are found in the vagina of healthy women. Mothers can pass monilia and trichomoniasis to their babies at birth.A male having unprotected sex with a female that has vaginitis can become infected.

What are the symptoms?

Each type of vaginitis has specific symptoms.

Garnerella is a bacteria and is caused when the bacterial balance that normally exists in a vagina is upset.

The symptoms include

  • Burning feeling when urinating
  • Itching and swelling of the vulva
  • Gray, paste-like discharge
  • Foul smelling vaginal odor

Monilia is a fungus which is normally present in small, harmless quantities in the mouth, digestive tract and vagina. When the balance of the vagina is upset or additional monilia organisms are introduced into the vagina, the fungus grows very quickly.

The symptoms of monilia are

  • A cheese-like vaginal discharge
  • Vaginal itching and burning

Trichomoniasis is caused by a protozoal organism that is usually passed from one person to another during sex.

The symptoms are

  • Abnormal vaginal discharge
  • Itching
  • Burning feeling when urinating

How is it diagnosed?

Vaginitis is diagnosed by lab tests and physical examination.

What is the treatment?

Once vaginitis has been diagnosed, a prescription for medicine will be given to control the infecting organism.

Filed Under: Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Herpes

September 23, 2010 By

Herpes is an infection and is caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). When the infection is on the mouth, it is called oral herpes. When it is on or near the sex organs it is called genital herpes.

What are the symptoms of oral herpes?

Have you ever heard of “cold sores” or “fever blisters”? These are symptoms of oral herpes. The sores usually show up on the lips or inside of the mouth. The sores are harmless in children and adults but they are very harmful to newborns. Oral herpes in adults is usually a “flare-up” of a childhood infection.

How is herpes spread?

Touching, kissing, and sexual contact, including vaginal, anal, and oral intercourse spread herpes. It can be passed from one partner to another, or from one part of the body to another. It was once thought that contact with open sores was the only way to get herpes. We now know that it is possible, but less likely, to get herpes from someone at a time when there are no sores. Moist areas of the mouth, anus, vulva, vagina, penis, and the eyes are very easily infected. Skin can be infected if it is cut, chafed, or burned or has a rash or other sores.

How is herpes diagnosed?

Herpes is diagnosed by testing fluid taken from the sores. Sores are often seen during pelvic exams. If you suspect you have herpes sores, see a clinician as soon as possible. It is important to be sure that the sores are herpes. Other serious sexually transmitted infections, such as syphilis, may look like herpes but need different treatment. A blood test can tell if you have been exposed to the herpes virus.

How can symptoms be relieved?

Warm baths or wet tea bags (not herbal) may give relief. Loose cotton clothes will help prevent chafing. Because moisture can slow healing, keep the sores dry by sprinkling cornstarch in underwear. Cool compresses held to the sores a few minutes several times a day may help. Ice packs may also be soothing. Aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen may help relieve pain and fever.

A clinician can prescribe acyclovir, famiciclovir, or valacyclovir. They may speed up the healing of sores and weaken the virus. Using these medicines only during outbreaks is called episodic therapy.

Filed Under: Sexually Transmitted Diseases Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Genital Herpes (HSV)

September 23, 2010 By

Genital herpes is a contagious viral infection that affects an estimated 30 million Americans. The infection is caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV).

There are two types of HSV and both can cause the symptoms of genital herpes. The virus remains in certain nerve cells of the body for life, causing periodic symptoms in some people.

How is it spread?

Genital herpes is usually acquired by sexual contact with someone who has an outbreak of herpes sores in the genital area.

Someone who has oral herpes can transmit the infection to the genital area of a partner during oral-genital sex. The virus is rarely spread by contact with objects such as a toilet seat or hot tub.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms vary widely from person to person. When the first symptoms occur, they usually appear within 2 to 10 days of exposure.

The early symptoms include

* Itching or burning sensation in genital area
* Pain in the legs, buttocks, or genital area
* Abnormal vaginal discharge
* A feeling of pressure in the abdominal region
* Sores occur on the cervix in women and in the urinary passage in men
* Fever
* Headache
* Muscle aches
* Painful or difficult urination

How is it diagnosed?

The most accurate method of diagnosis is by viral culture. The sore is swabbed and the sample is added to a laboratory culture. Results take 1-2 days.

What is the treatment?

* Topical or oral antiviral medication
* Keep infected area clean and dry
* Try to avoid touching sores
* Avoid sexual contact from the time symptoms are first recognized until the sores are completely healed

Filed Under: Sexually Transmitted Diseases Tagged With: , , ,

Chlamydia

September 23, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Chlamydia

Chalamydial infection is a bacterium that is transmitted during vaginal or anal sexual contact with someone who is infected.

While Chlamydia is more common among women, men are very susceptible to the infection. Gone untreated, chlamydia in men typically causes urethral infection, but may also result in complications such as swollen and tender testicles.

How is it spread?

Chlamydia is transmitted through vaginal or anal sexual contact with someone who is infected.

What are the symptoms?

  • Abnormal genital discharge or pain during urination.
  • Symptoms usually occur 1-3 weeks after exposure
  • In males, the infection causes swelling in the scrotal area
  • May cause rectal inflammation
  • Bacteria may be found in the throat as a result of oral sexual contact with an infected partner

How is it diagnosed?

Until recently, the only way to diagnose chlamydia was to take a sample of secretions from a patient’s genital area and attempt to grow the organism in a specialized tissue culture in the lab.

While this method is the most accurate, it is expensive, technically difficult, and results are not available for up to 3 days.

Now, there are rapid tests that use sophisticated techniques and a dye to detect bacterial proteins. These tests are slightly less accurate and can be performed during routine checkups.

What is the treatment?

Chlamydia is treated by a 7-day course of antibiotics such as tetracycline. Penicillin, which is often used for treating STD’s, is not effective against treating chlamydial infections.

Filed Under: Sexually Transmitted Diseases

HIV/AIDS

September 29, 2009 By

 

Young people in the United States are at persistent risk for HIV infection. This risk is especially notable for youth of minority races and ethnicities.

Continual HIV prevention outreach and education efforts, including programs on abstinence and on delaying the initiation of sex, are required as new generations replace the generations that benefited from earlier prevention strategies.

  • In 2004, an estimated 4,883 people ages 13-24 received a diagnosis of HIV infection or AIDS, representing about 13% of the people given a diagnosis that year.
    Centers for Disease Control
  • African-Americans were disproportionately affected by HIV infection, accounting for 55% of all HIV infections reported among young persons ages 13-24.
    Centers for Disease Control
  • In 2004, an estimated 7,761 young people were living with AIDS, a 42% increase since 2000, when 5,457 young people were living with AIDS.
    Centers for Disease Control

Filed Under: Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Syphilis

September 23, 2009 By

Syphilis is caused by a bacterium called Treponema pallidum. The bacterium can move throughout the body, damaging many organs over time.

How is it spread?

Syphilis spreads from the sores of an infected person to the mucous membranes of the genital area, the mouth, or the anus of a sexual partner. It also can pass through broken skin on other parts of the body.

What are the symptoms?

The first symptom of primary syphilis is called a chancre. The chancre can appear 10 days to 3 months after exposure, but it generally appears within 2-6 weeks. Because the chancre is ordinarily painless and sometimes occurs inside the body, it may go unnoticed. It is usually found on the part of the body exposed to bacteria, such as the penis, the vulva, or the vagina. It can also develop on the cervix, tongue, lip, or other parts of the body.

The chancre disappears within a few weeks whether or not treatment is obtained. If not treated during the primary stage, the disease may progress through three other stages.

Secondary syphilis is marked by a skin rash that appears anywhere from 3 to 6 weeks after the chancre appears. The rash may cover the whole body or appear only in a few areas, such as the palms of the hands or soles of the feet. Because active bacteria are present in theses sores, any physical contact with the broken skin of an infected person may spread the infection at this stage. The rash usually heals within several weeks or months. Other symptoms may also occur such as a mild fever, fatigue, headache, sore throat, patchy hair loss, and swollen lymph glands throughout the body. The signs of secondary syphilis may come and go over the next 1 to 2 years.

If untreated, syphilis then lapses into a latent stage during which the disease is no longer contagious and no symptoms are present. Many people who are not treated will suffer no further consequences of the disease. However, approximately one-third of those infected go on to develop the complications of late syphilis. In this stage, the bacteria damage the heart, eyes, brain, nervous system, bones, joints, or almost any other part of the body. This stage can last for years or even decades. Late syphilis can result in mental illness, blindness, other neurological problems, heart disease, and death.

How is it diagnosed?

There are three ways to diagnose syphilis

  • A doctor’s recognition of it’s signs and symptoms,
  • Microscopic identification of syphilis bacteria
  • Blood tests.

How is it treated?

Syphilis is usually treated with penicillin administered by injection.

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