For the health

1. S
T
D
exually
ransmitted
iseases

2. What Is STD?
Sexually transmitted disease or STD and
sexually transmitted infection or STI, are
acquired generally by sexual contact through
the blood stream, through vaginal and other
body fluids and also through semen.
However, it can also be acquired though non-
sexual process in which, shared needles are
used or blood of the infected person is
transfused to another person. Even a
pregnant woman with this disease may pass it to
the fetus.

4. Signs and Symptoms of STDs:
There can be a range of signs and symptoms of an STD or STI.
But unless they are in severe condition or until the partner is
diagnosed with the disease, they are often left unnoticed.
•Burning sensation while urinating
•Bumps and sores in rectal area and genitals or even in mouth
•Painful sex
•Lower abdominal pain
•Discharge from the penis
•Odd and unusual smelling vaginal discharge
•Rash on hand and feet
•Swollen groin, lymph nodes
•Unusual vaginal bleeding
•Loose stool, weight loss and night sweats
•Yellowing of skin or jaundice.

5. Causes
STDs or STIs can be caused by:
•Bacteria. Gonorrhea, syphilis and chlamydia are examples
of STIs that are caused by bacteria.
•Parasites. Trichomoniasis is an STI caused by a parasite
•Viruses. STIs causes by viruses include HPV, genital
herpes and HIV.
• Other kinds of infections — hepatitis A, B and C
viruses, shigella infection and giardia infection — can be
spread through sexual activity, but it's possible to be
infected without sexual contact.

6. Risk factors
Anyone who is sexually active risks some degree of exposure to
an STD or STI. Factors that may increase that risk include:
• Having sexual contact with multiple partners. The more people you
have sexual contact with, the greater your risk.
• Having unprotected sex. Vaginal or anal penetration by an infected
partner who isn't wearing a latex condom significantly increases the
risk of getting an STI. Improper or inconsistent use of condoms can also
increase risk.
• Having a history of STIs. Having one STI makes it much easier for
another STI to take hold.
• Being forced to engage in sexual activity. Dealing with rape or
assault is difficult, but it's important to see a doctor as soon as
possible to receive screening, treatment and emotional support.

7. •Injecting drugs. Needle sharing spreads many serious infections,
including HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C.
•Being young. Half the new STIs occur in people between the ages
of 15 and 24
Transmission from mothers to infants
TIs — such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, HIV and syphilis — can be passed from
o their infants during pregnancy or delivery. STIs in infants can cause serious
or even death. All pregnant women should be screened for these infections and

9. Can I get an STD while I’m pregnant?
Yes you can get an STD while you're pregnant if you
have sex with someone who has an STD .Being pregnant
does not protect you or your baby against STD.you may
also get pregnant while you have an STD if you are
pregnant and have an STD, it may have important to
get treatment.

13. Other Complications
Because many people in the early stages of
an STD or STI experience no symptoms, screening for STIs is
important to prevent complications.
Possible complications include:
•Pelvic pain
•Pregnancy complications
•Eye inflammation
•Arthritis
•Pelvic inflammatory disease
•Infertility
•Heart disease
•Certain cancers, such as HPV-associated cervical and
rectal cancers

14. There are several ways to avoid or reduce your risk
of STDs or STIs.
Prevention
•Abstain. The most effective way to avoid STIs is to
not have (abstain from) sex.
•Stay with one uninfected partner. Another reliable
way of avoiding STIs is to stay in a long-term
relationship in which both people have sex only with
each other and neither partner is infected.
•Wait and test. Avoid vaginal and anal intercourse with
new partners until you have both been tested for STIs.
Oral sex is less risky, but use a latex condom or dental
dam to prevent skin-to-skin contact between the oral
and genital mucous membranes.

15. •Don't drink alcohol excessively or use drugs. If
you're under the influence, you're more likely to take
sexual risks.
•Communicate. Before any serious sexual contact,
communicate with your partner about practicing
safer sex. Be sure you specifically agree on what
activities will and won't be OK.
•Use condoms and dental dams consistently and
correctly. Use a new latex condom or dental dam for
each sex act, whether oral, vaginal or anal. Never use
an oil-based lubricant, such as petroleum jelly, with a
latex condom or dental dam.

16. Vaccination- To Prevent STD:
Get vaccinated. Getting vaccinated early, before sexual
exposure, is also effective in preventing certain types of STIs.
Vaccines are available to prevent human papillomavirus (HPV),
hepatitis A and hepatitis B.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends
the HPV vaccine for girls and boys ages 11 and 12, although it can be given
as early as age 9. If not fully vaccinated at ages 11 and 12,
the CDC recommends getting the vaccine through age 26.

17. Treatment for STIs usually consists of one of the
following, depending on the infection:
• Antibiotics. Antibiotics, often in a single dose, can cure many
sexually transmitted bacterial and parasitic infections, including
gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia and trichomoniasis. Typically,
you'll be treated for gonorrhea and chlamydia at the same time
because the two infections often appear together
• Once you start antibiotic treatment, it's necessary to finish the
prescription. If you don't think you'll be able to take medication
as prescribed, tell your doctor. A shorter, simpler course of
treatment may be available.
• In addition, it's important to abstain from sex until seven
days after you've completed antibiotic treatment and any
sores have healed. Experts also suggest women be
retested in about three months because there's a high
chance of reinfection.

18. • Antiviral drugs. If you have herpes or HIV, you'll be
prescribed an antiviral drug. You'll have fewer herpes
recurrences if you take daily suppressive therapy
with a prescription antiviral drug. However, it's still
possible to give your partner herpes.
• Antiviral drugs can keep HIV infection in check for
many years. But you will still carry the virus and can
still transmit it, though the risk is lower.
• The sooner you start HIV treatment, the more effective
it is. If you take your medications exactly as directed,
it's possible to reduce the viral load in the blood so
that it can hardly be detected.