7C Health - STI's and Prevention part 1

Disease	How you get it	Symptoms	Treatment	Partners
Diseases that are transmitted sexually
Chlamydia Infection of mucous membranes lining the genitals can lead to inflammatory disease (PID) in women and infertility in men and women.	By having vaginal or anal sex without a condom with someone who has the infection; from mother-to-baby (eye and chest infection)	Women often have no symptoms or may have pain with sexual intercourse, lower abdominal pain, changes in bleeding pattern. Men may have no symptoms or may have watery or thick discharge from penis, pain or urinating.	Antibiotics.	Recent sexual partners need treatment. Don't have sex until 7 days after starting treatment and until sexual contacts have been treated.
Gonorrhoea Bacterial infection of genitals, throat or anus, can lead to infertility particularly  in women.	By having vaginal, anal or oral sex without a condom with someone who has the infection; from mother-to-baby (eye infections).	Women usually have no symptoms, but may have pain with sex, vaginal discharge, lower abdominal pain. Men may have no symptoms or discharge from penis, discharge from anus, pain in testicles, pain on urinating.	Antibiotics.	Sexual partners must be tested and treated if positive. Avoid sex until seven days after treatment is completed. Condoms provide some protection, but not total.
Syphilis Bacterial infection entering the body through breaks in skin or linings of the genital area; over time, goes on to damage internal organs (heart, brain, spinal cord)	By having vaginal, anal or oral sex without a condom with someone who has the infection; from mother-to-baby across placenta during pregnancy (congenital syphilis).	Painless ulcer (chancre) usually on genitals;  later swollen glands, rash, hair loss.	Antibiotics with follow-up blood tests.	Sexual partners must be tested and treated if positive. Current health regulations advise no sex until you are cleared.
Genital warts Human papillomavirus (HPV) causes fleshy or flat lumps – may be present even if not visible	HPV transmitted by direct skin-to-skin contact, usually during sex; from mother-to-baby. Sometimes no identifiable source of transmission.	Fleshy or flat lumps on or around genitals, anus, groin or thigh.	Visible warts can be treated, but the infection cannot be cured. Discuss vaccination with your general practice.	Condoms provide some protection, but not total.
Genital herpes Herpes simplex virus causes skin infection usually on mouth and lips (cold sores) or on genitals.	Close skin contact with someone with the virus; from mother-to-baby.	Painful, red blisters, little sores or ulcers, flu-like symptoms, and sometimes a discharge.	Anti-herpes drugs and pain relief can be given to treat symptoms, but the infection cannot be cured. Some may need medication to prevent further outbreaks.	Partners may or may not catch herpes. Do not have sex when open sores are present. Condoms provide some, but not complete, protection.