Terms You Should Know About STDs

STD Name	What is it?	Symptoms	How is it spread?	Treatment
*AIDS/HIV*	Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a virus that attacks the immune system resulting in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).	Fever Night sweats Unexplained weight loss Diarrhea Tiredness Swollen lymph glands Nausea Flu-like symptoms Often no symptoms with early HIV infection.	Exchange of bodily fluids with an infected person, namely: blood semen vaginal fluids Happens through: sex sharing needles Infected woman passes virus to child before or during birth, or through breast milk.	No known cure
*Chancroid*	Highly contagious STD caused by bacteria called Haemophilus Ducreyi (or H. Ducreyi).	Genital ulcers or sores Swollen, painful lymph glands in groin area	Sexual transmission through skin-to-skin contact with an open sore Non-sexual transmission when contact is made with pus-like fluid from an ulcer.	Antibiotics
*Chlamydia*	Bacterial infection, can scar fallopian tubes & cause infertility.	Discharge from penis or vagina Pain or burning during urination Pain in abdominal area Often no signs	Sexual contact (vaginal, anal, oral) with an infected partner.	Antibiotics
*Crabs (Pubic Lice)*	Parasites or bugs that live in pubic hair.	Intense itching in genital area Visual evidence of crabs	Close personal contact with someone who has crabs Sharing of personal items infested with crabs or crab eggs.	Prescription and over-the-counter medication.
*Genital Warts/Human Papillomavirus (HPV)*	Virus that affects the skin in the genital area and female's cervix.	Small, bumpy growths on, in, or around sex organs or anus Sometimes cannot be seen at all.	Skin to skin sexual contact (vaginal, anal, or oral) with a person who has genital warts.	No known cure, only preventive treatment.
*Gonorrhea*	Bacterial infection of the penis, vagina or anus.	Pain or burning during urination Pus-like discharge Sometime no signs.	Sexual contact (oral, anal, vaginal) with an infected person.	Antibiotics
*Hepatitis B*	A disease that affects the liver.	Tiredness Vomiting Stomach pain Loss of appetite/weight Aching muscles/joints Fever Nausea Diarrhea Yellowing of skin or eyes (jaundice) Dark colored urine One or more symptoms or none at all.	Contact with blood, semen or vaginal fluids of infected person Needle sharing During birth	No known cure
*Herpes*	Recurrent skin condition that can cause skin irritations in the genital region (anus, vagina, penis).	Pain or burning during urination Flu-like symptoms Small red bumps that then turn into fluid-filled blisters Blisters dry and heal within one to three weeks Herpes remains even after blisters heal Blisters may return Sometimes there are no symptoms.	Sexual contact (oral, anal, vaginal) with infected person Kissing or touching body parts that are infected Herpes can be spread after blisters are healed	No known cure.
*Molloscum Contagiosum*	Skin disease caused by the molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV) usually causing one or more small lesions/bumps.	Lesions present on: thighs buttocks groin lower abdomen external genital area anal region	Sexual contact Contact with objects that come in touch with lesions (i.e. towels and clothing)	Lesions can be surgicallyremoved and/or treated with a chemical agent
*Non Gonococcal Urethritis*(NGU)	Infection of the urethra caused by pathogens including: clamydia trachomatis and herpes simplex virus.	Discharge from the penis or vagina Burning or pain when urinating Itching Irritation Tenderness Underwear stain Abdominal pain Abnormal vaginal bleeding.	Sex (vaginal, anal or oral) involving direct mucous membrane contact with infected person	Antibiotics.
*PID* *(Pelvic Inflammatory Disease)*	Serious infection in upper genital tract/reproductive organs (uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries) of a female. PID can be sexually transmitted or naturally occurring.	Dull pain or tenderness in the lower abdomen Burning or pain when urinating Nausea Vomiting Bleeding between menstrual periods Increased or changed vaginal discharge Pain during sex Fever Chills No symptoms or symptoms too mild to notice	Most common causes of PID are two STDs: Chlamydia Gonorrhea	Antibiotics Antimicrobial agents to treat gonorrhea, Chlamydia, streptococci and other bacteria
*Scabies*	Curable skin disease caused by the parasite, Sarcoptes scabiei.	Itching within four to six weeks after infection.	Direct contact with: Infested people Bed linens Clothing Furniture Latex condoms not considered effective against scabies transmission.	Single topical insecticide treatment
*Syphilis*	Bacterial infection that can spread throughout the body and affect the heart, brain, nerves.	1st stage: sore appears at site of infection 2nd stage: after sore heals, skin rash and flu-like symptoms appear. Symptoms will go away, but disease remains	Sexual contact (vaginal, anal, oral) with infected person	Antibiotic medication. If left untreated syphilis can lead to very severe health problems and even death.
*Vaginitis/* *Trichomoniasis*	Swelling, itching, burning or infection in the vagina caused by several different germs.	Strong fishy smell, especially after sex White, grey or thick, “cottage cheese” discharge pain, itching, burning, or redness around the vagina Smell like baking bread Pain during sex and/or when urinating	Sexual contact (vaginal, anal, oral) with infected person	Antibiotics or antifungals, depending on which germ is causing the infection