STIs and HIV/AIDS
Identify the causes, nature, methods of transmission and methods of prevention of AIDS and HIV infection Identify the common STIs, their symptoms, and means of prevention
An infection which is passed from one person to another through sexual contact A person can have more than one STI at the same time
Symptoms may include: Discharge from the penis Different or heavier discharge from the vagina A burning feeling when urinating Sores (particularly around genital area) Itching feeling around sex organs or anus Swollen glands in the groin It is common for people with an STI not to notice any symptoms at all
S Sex Organ Discharge (any unusual discharge or change in daily discharge) I Irritation When Urinating (a burning/tingling sensation when urinating, difficulty trying to pee) G Genital Itching (persistent/irritating itching in the genital or pubic area) N Noticeable Pelvic Pain (including any new, ongoing, or mild pelvic internal pain) S Skin Changes (any blisters, bumps, rashes, or sores which appear around the genital/pubic region, anus, or mouth) NOT EVERYONE WILL SHOW SIGNS WHEN THEY HAVE AN STI
Those who have one or more STIs may give the infection to others: - if there is an exchange of body fluids (e.g. blood, saliva, semen or vaginal fluid) - if dry skin-to-skin contact between genitals, mouth, or anus occurs Some STIs can be spread to others by sharing needles/syringes, tattooing devices and bodypiercing devices A female who has certain STIs may infect the fetus during pregnancy, when the baby is delivered or while breast-feeding
Abstinence the only sure way to prevent transmission Only one sexual partner Use condoms Never share needles/syringes (e.g. tattoos/piercings) Get tested and have regular check ups
An STI test is free and available at most clinics There are clinics just for teens Sexual Health Information Line Winnipeg 204-945-2437
Chlamydia Genital herpes Genital warts Gonorrhea Hepatitis B HIV/AIDS Human papilloma virus (HPV) Public lice Syphilis
Some STIs can be cured with antibiotics/special lotions Examples of curable STIs: - Chlamydia - Syphilis - Gonorrhea - Pubic Lice Viral infections are not curable but medications can slow the progression or help lessen the pain/discomfort Examples of viral STIs: - HPV (vaccine available to prevent some strains) - Hepatitis A & B (vaccine available to prevent these) - Herpes - HIV/AIDS - Hepatitis C
What is it? - Caused by bacteria - Common, especially among teenagers and young adults - Can cause serious health problems, must be treated Transmission - Unprotected oral, vaginal or anal sex with a person who already has the infection - If you re pregnant you can pass it on to the baby when giving birth Symptoms May have no signs or symptoms FEMALES: Change/increase in vaginal discharge Itchy vagina Minor bleeding (not on period) Bleeding during/after vaginal sex Pain in lower abdomen/during urination MALES: Burning during urination Watery/milky discharge out of penis Burning/itching around hole of penis Pain in testicles Treatment - Can be cured with antibiotics - Even after being treated, you can get it again
What is it? - Caused by bacteria - Can cause serious health problems, must be treated - Can infect the penis, rectum, throat, eyes, or cervix Transmission - Unprotected oral, vaginal or anal sex with a person who already has the infection - If you re pregnant you can pass it on to the baby when giving birth Symptoms May have no signs or symptoms FEMALES: Change/increase in vaginal discharge Minor bleeding (not on period) Bleeding during/after vaginal sex Pain in lower abdomen/during urination Treatment - Can be cured with antibiotics - Even after being treated, you can get it back MALES: Burning during urination Burning/itching around hole of penis Pain in testicles Thick greenish-yellow discharge
What is it? - Also known as crabs - Found around the genitals in pubic hair, live by feeding off human blood - Lay their eggs at the base of the hair Transmission - Transmitted both by sexual and non-sexual contact (e.g. sharing towel with infected person - Pubic lice can live on objects such as towels, bedding and mattresses Symptoms - The parts of the body that have been infected may feel itchy - May see tiny light brown insects or oval, whitish eggs on the hair Treatment - Special creams, lotions, or shampoos available at the drug store - Dry clean/machine wash all clothing or bed linen in hot water - Vacuum everything that has been in contact that cannot be washed (e.g. mattress, carpets)
What is it? - Caused by bacteria - Can cause serious health problems, must be treated Transmission - Unprotected oral, vaginal or anal sex with a person who already has the infection - Contact with the sores or rashes - Pregnant women can pass it on to the baby before it is born or during birth Symptoms - First symptom is usually a sore that doesn t hurt (may go away, still infected) - Later, may get a body rash and feel like you have the flu (may go away, still infected) - If left untreated, you may get very sick (damage of the heart, brain, other organs and may even cause death) Treatment - Can be cured with antibiotics, usually penicillin (must finish treatments) - Will need to go for blood tests to make sure the medication worked
What is it? - A virus that can cause warts or lead to cancer - Many different types which can infect different parts of the body - You can have more than one type in a time Transmission - Unprotected oral, vaginal or anal sex with a person who already has the infection - Other sexual activity with skin-to-skin contact Symptoms - May find warts on your genitals, can look like bumps, may be cauliflower-like - May have warts develop in the throat (RRP) - Casual factor in cervical cancer in women and other HPV-associated cancers Treatment Vaccine for women 9-26 years old available to protect against SOME types - There is no cure for HPV, but there are treatments for the health problems it can cause - Warts can be removed several different ways (liquid, freeze, surgically) - RRP can be treated with surgery or medicines
What is it? - An infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV) - Two types: type 1 and 2 Transmission - May get it by kissing someone who had a cold sore - May get it in genital area by having oral sex with someone who has cold sores - May get it in eyes, mouth and genitals by touching the sores - Can pass on the infection without having any sores - If you re pregnant you can pass the virus on to the baby during pregnancy or during birth Symptoms - Many people infected will not have symptoms - Herpes symptoms may include itching/tingling on your skin and the development of painful blisters that turn into sores (mouth or genitals) - You may also feel like you have the flu Treatment - There is no cure, but it can be managed - Medications are available to help prevent outbreaks or reduce the length of time the outbreak lasts
What is it? - It is a virus which can cause a serious infection of the liver Transmission - From an infected person through their blood, semen, vaginal fluid or saliva - Through vaginal, oral or anal sex with a person who is infected - By sharing personal items (e.g. toothbrush, razor, tattoo equipment) - A pregnant woman can pass the virus on to her baby Symptoms - May not have any signs or symptoms - You may notice: you feel tired, have pain in the abdomen, urine/stool is a strange colour, skin is yellow, not very hungry or you feel like throwing up Treatment A vaccine is available to protect against hepatitis B - No cure, but treatable - May need to change the way you eat and stop drinking alcohol
What is it? - The virus that causes AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) - Attacks your body s immune system, leaves it unable to fight certain infections - When a person has HIV and becomes sick from one or more infection and the immune system is badly damaged, they have AIDS - A person with HIV may not develop AIDS for many years Transmission - You can only get HIV by having the virus enter your bloodstream - Through blood, vaginal fluid, semen, breast milk - Having unprotected sex, sharing needles or other drug use equipment, - Females can pass virus on to the baby during pregnancy or while breast feeding - HIV CANNOT BE PASSED THROUGH CASUAL CONTACT (hugging, kissing, shaking hands, toilet seats) Symptoms - Can have HIV and not know it, may have no symptoms for years - May develop a mild flu 2-4 weeks after becoming infected Treatment There is no cure for HIV. Once you have it, you have HIV for life - Several treatments have been developed that may slow the progress of HIV
HIV/STI Risk Behaviour Cards STI Jeopardy