Nursing 209

N209: Reproductive Health Study Guide

Types of Sexually Transmitted Diseases • Chlamydia: Bacterial infection of the genital tract; easily cured but often has no signs or symptoms; the most commonly reported STD in the United States o Symptoms: Usually appear 1-3 weeks after exposure; includes painful urination, lower abdominal pain, vaginal/penile discharge, painful intercourse for women, testicular pain for men, and bleeding between periods • Gonorrhea: Caused by Neisseria Gonorrhoeae, it is bacteria that can also grow in the nose, mouth, throat, eyes, or anus; a common infection, especially in ages 15-24 o Symptoms: Usually appear ten days after exposure, but some people can be infected for months before signs and symptoms occur; characterized by thick/cloudy/bloody discharge from penis or vagina, painful urination, painful testicles, painful bowel movements, anal itching, and vaginal bleeding between periods • Trichomoniasis: Caused by a microscopic, one-celled parasite called trichomonas vaginalis; usually infects the urinary tract in men; often has no signs; infects the vagina in women o Symptoms: If symptoms occur, they will appear 5-28 days from exposure and can range from mild irritation to severe inflammation; thin, greenish-yellow, frothy or foamy vaginal discharge for women with strong vaginal odor and vaginal itching; slight discharge from the penis with burning after urination or ejaculation for men • Bacterial Vaginosis: Infection caused from overgrowth of one of several types of bacteria normally present in the vagina, upsetting the natural balance of vaginal bacteria; most common vaginal infection in women ages 15-44; not considered an STD, but can increase risk for getting an STD; can also affect women who have never had sex; no known best way to prevent it, but can lower risk by abstinence, limiting partners, and avoiding douching o Symptoms: Vaginal discharge that’s thin and grayish-white, foul-smelling “fishy” vaginal odor (especially after sexual intercourse), vaginal itching, and burning during urination • Genital Herpes: Common in the U.S. with one in six people ages 14-49 with genital herpes; caused by two virus types: herpes simplex I and simplex II; fluids found in herpes lesion carry the virus; can also be spread with no visible sore because the virus can be released through the skin; outbreaks can occur in areas not fully covered by a condom, so condoms do not provide full protection; can lie dormant for decades before becoming active again o Symptoms: Can have no or mild symptoms, but they usually appear as one or more blisters on or around the genitals, rectum, or mouth; first time outbreak can also exhibit flu-like symptoms; repeat outbreaks are common, especially in first year after infection; usually shorter and less severe than the first outbreak; the infection can remain in the body for life and there is no cure; medications can prevent or shorten outbreaks; touching the sores or fluids can transfer herpes to other body parts (from mouth to genitals through oral sex) • Syphilis: Bacterial infection usually spread by sexual contact; caused by the bacteria treponema pallidium; early syphilis can be treated with penicillin, but treatment is only capable of killing the bacteria and preventing further damage, it cannot repair damage already done to organs or prevent reinfection if exposed again; can lie dormant for decades before becoming active again; without treatment, syphilis can severely damage the heart, brain, and other organs and can be life-threatening o Stages of syphilis:

©2018

Achieve

Page 12

of 109