Nursing 209

N209: Reproductive Health Study Guide Primary: Small chancre sore at the spot where the bacteria entered the body (most people develop only one chancre, but some develop several) ; usually painless and may go unnoticed depending upon location ; heals within six weeks  Secondary: Spreads through the body to the skin, liver, joints, lymph nodes, muscles and brain; a rash frequently appears about six weeks to three months after the chancre has healed; during this time, the disease is highly contagious because the bacteria are present in lesion secretions; may also form in mucous membranes of the mouth and throat and on the bones and internal organs  Latent: With no treatment, the disease moves into the latent phase with no symptoms; may last for years; symptoms may never return or may progress to tertiary stage  Tertiary (late): Occurs in 15-30 percent of people infected who don’t get treatment; damage can occur to the brain, nerves, eyes, heart, blood vessels, liver, bones, and joints • Human Papillomavirus (HPV): The most common sexually transmitted infection; nearly all sexually active men and women get it at some point in their lives; about 70 million Americans are currently infected and about 14 million people become newly infected each year; there are many different types of HPV; can cause genital warts and certain cancers.; a vaccine is available, boys and girls age 11 or 12 should receive vaccine; catch-up vaccines are recommended for males through age 21 and females through age 26 if they did not receive the vaccine when younger; vaccine recommended for gay and bisexual men through age 26 o Symptoms: Most people do not know they are infected and never develop symptoms or health problems; sometimes diagnosed when genital warts develop; others discover they have HPV when a pap smear is abnormal; may not be discovered until a serious health problem (cancer) occurs; there is no test to check for HPV status; HPV tests can be used to screen for cervical cancer for women 30 and over, but they are not recommended to screen men, adolescents, or women under age 30 HIV/AIDS and STDs • If an STD is present, the person should be tested for HIV. • If a person has an STD and HIV, they are more likely to spread HIV to their partner. • Hepatitis B is also considered an STD because it can be transmitted via blood and body fluids through sexual contact. Pregnancy and STDs • Chlamydia: If left untreated, it has been linked to preterm labor, premature rupture of membranes, and low birth weight. It can pass from a woman to her baby during delivery. • Syphilis: It has been linked to premature birth, stillbirth, and death after birth. It can pass from the mother to her baby during pregnancy. Untreated infants are at risk for multiple organ problems. • Gonorrhea: During pregnancy, it has been linked to miscarriage, preterm birth, premature rupture of membranes, and low birth weight. It can be passed from mother to baby during delivery. 

©2018

Achieve

Page 13

of 109