Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Screening tests are available for many of the most common sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). You may request screening tests or your physician may offer these tests at your appointment based on a number of risk factors and current recommendations. Some common STDs are Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, Trichomoniasis, Syphilis, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), and Hepatitis B.
Screening tests for Gonorrhea and Chlamydia are routinely performed at time of a pelvic exam for women sexually active and age 25 or under. At the time of the exam, a small swab may be used to collect a sample from the cervix to determine if Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, and/or Trichomoniasis are present. A small amount of your blood may be drawn and sent to the laboratory for testing in order to screen for Syphilis, HIV, and Hepatitis B. Results from these tests are usually available within a week to ten days.
What is Gonorrhea?
Gonorrhea is an infection that often occurs with no symptoms in women. The cause is a bacterium that grows quickly in warm, moist areas of the body. The most common place this germ grows is the cervix but it may also infect the mouth or throat through oral sex with an infected partner. Gonorrhea can also infect the rectum and urinary tract. Gonorrhea is treated with antibiotics which are given by mouth and by injection. Sexual partners must be treated to prevent the infection from recurring.
What is Chlamydia?
Chlamydia is one of the most common STDs in the United States today and also often occurs with no symptoms in women. Chlamydia is a bacterium that commonly infects the cervix and may spread to the uterus and fallopian tubes. Chlamydia can also be found in the urinary tract, rectum, throat, and even the lining of the eye. Chlamydia is treated with antibiotics which are given by mouth. Sexual partners must be treated to prevent the infection from recurring. Delay in diagnosis of Chlamydia may lead to permanent sterilization.
What is Trichomoniasis?
Trichomoniasis is a condition caused by a microscopic parasite. Symptoms may include a yellow-gray or green vaginal discharge. The discharge may have a fishy odor. There may be burning, irritation, redness, and swelling of the vulva and sometimes there is pain during urination. Trichomoniasis is usually treated with a single dose of antibiotic by mouth. Sexual partners must be treated to prevent the infection from recurring.
What is Syphilis?
Syphilis occurs in stages. It first appears as a painless sore (called a chancre) which last 10 days to 6 weeks after contact. If not treated the next stage begins 1 week to 3 months later when a rash may appear and you may feel as if you have the flu. The rash usually appears on the soles of the feet and palms of the hands. Flat warts may be seen on the vulva. The rash goes away in a few weeks or months but the disease may return years later. If not treated syphilis may affect your heart, blood vessels, and nervous system. If treated early, long term problems can be prevented. Syphilis may be spread by contact with a chancre during the first stage of infection or by touching the rash, warts, or infected blood during the second stage of infection. Syphilis is treated with antibiotics. Because it is easy to spread during the first and second stages, you should avoid sexual contact until both you and your partner’s treatment have been completed.
What is HIV?
Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The rate of HIV infection is increasing most rapidly among heterosexual women. The HIV virus enters the bloodstream by way of body fluids- usually blood or semen. The virus then invades and kills cells of the immune system making the body less able to fight disease. If someone is infected he or she will always carry the virus and may pass it on to others. There is no vaccine to prevent HIV infection and there is no cure for AIDS. However, there are some medications that fight HIV-related infections and help protect your immune system. This can help you live a longer, healthier life. Treatment with medication during pregnancy can greatly lower the risk of passing the HIV virus to the baby.
What is Hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B is a type of hepatitis virus that attacks and damages the liver over time eventually causing the liver to stop working. The liver cleanses waste from the body, breaks down and filters out harmful substances that you consume, and creates a substance that helps with the digestion of food. A person infected with hepatitis B virus may not show any symptoms. When symptoms do occur they may include yellowing of the skin and eyes, loss of appetite, nausea, headache, stomachache, muscle aches, and extreme fatigue (tiredness). For most adults the infection clears up completely in a few weeks and they then become immune to the virus but 5- 10% of infected adults become carriers for the rest of their lives (the infection never clears up). All carriers can pass the virus to others by direct contact with body fluids such as semen, blood, and vaginal fluids. There is no cure for hepatitis B- it is best to take steps to prevent it. A vaccine is available which triggers your body’s immune system to fight off the virus when you are exposed to it and this is recommended for anyone at high risk.
What is Human Papillomavirus (HPV)?
HPV is a common virus. In 2005, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that 20 million people in the United States had this virus. There are many different types of HPV; some cause no harm. Others can cause diseases of the genital area. For most people the virus goes away on its own. When the virus does not go away it can develop into cervical cancer, precancerous lesions, or genital warts, depending on the HPV type.
In 2005, the CDC estimated that at least 50% of sexually active people catch HPV during their lifetime. A male or female of any age who takes part in any kind of sexual activity that involves genital contact is at risk. Many people who have HPV may not show any signs or symptoms.