A sexually transmitted infection is an infection that is passed from one person to another during sexual activity.
A sexually transmitted disease is a disease that is passed from one person to another during sexual activity. STDs can also result the development of STIs.
Bacterial STDs/STIs are caused by the spreading of bacterial from one person to another. This can happen through sexual contact including vaginal, oral, and anal sex. Bacterial infections can also be transmitted through contact with the eyes and from mother to child during pregnancy.
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Saturday, March 9, 2013
Common Bacterial STIs
Chlamydia
About 1.3 million new cases of Chlamydia occur each year in the United States. This infection is treatable with antibiotics. If left untreated, Chlamydia can lead to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, infertility in both men and women, infection of an unborn child, and Reiter's Disease.
Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea affects roughly 300,000 people per year and is also treatable through the use of prescription antibiotics. Long-term symptoms of the infection are similar to Chlamydia, with Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, continued pain in the infected area, and infertility being the most commonly seen.
Friday, March 8, 2013
Syphilis
- An ulcer or chancre, which occurs at the site of infection (primary syphilis)
- A rash in cohesion with flu-like symptoms, including fatigue, hair loss, and swelling of lymph nodes (secondary syphilis)
- Infection of the bones, blood, eyes, skin, nervous system, and heart (tertiary syphilis). Tertiary syphilis can lead to mental illness, blindness, and death
- 40% of untreated cases of syphilis progress to the tertiary stage
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Who is affected?
Sexually active men and women, ages 15-29, are the most likely demographic to contract a bacterial STI.
Higher rates of infection are seen in people living in urban settings, unmarried men and women with more than one sexual partner, and sexually active young adults.
Young (15-24 year old) minority women have the highest rate of STIs in the United States.
Two-thirds of the syphilis cases reported in 2010 were transmitted through male-to-male sexual contact, showing that gay males are at high risk as well.
Higher rates of infection are seen in people living in urban settings, unmarried men and women with more than one sexual partner, and sexually active young adults.
Young (15-24 year old) minority women have the highest rate of STIs in the United States.
Two-thirds of the syphilis cases reported in 2010 were transmitted through male-to-male sexual contact, showing that gay males are at high risk as well.
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Statistics
About 12 million cases of STIs and STDs occur in the United States each year. Half of these cases occur in individuals between 15 and 24 years old, while a quarter of them occur in teenagers.
The United States pays $17 billion per year in health care costs for the treatment and prevention of STIs and STDs.
The United States pays $17 billion per year in health care costs for the treatment and prevention of STIs and STDs.
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Prevention
The most effective avoid contracting or transmitting a bacterial STI is through practicing safe sex.
Getting tested and having your partner tested are also important, as some STIs occur without symptoms. Most bacterial STIs are curable and have few lasting symptoms when treated early. Regular testing is the best way to prevent infections from progressing to diseases.
Getting tested and having your partner tested are also important, as some STIs occur without symptoms. Most bacterial STIs are curable and have few lasting symptoms when treated early. Regular testing is the best way to prevent infections from progressing to diseases.
Monday, March 4, 2013
Effectiveness of Antibiotics
Antibiotic-resistant strains of bacterial STIs, specifically gonorrhea, are beginning to emerge.
Antibiotic resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae is diminishing available treatment options for gonorrhea
This shows the importance of preventing the spread of bacterial STIs, as treatment options may be ineffective.
Antibiotic resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae is diminishing available treatment options for gonorrhea
This shows the importance of preventing the spread of bacterial STIs, as treatment options may be ineffective.
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Education and Prevention
Multiple national campaigns endorsing safe sex and aiming to educate youth on the risks of bacterial STIs have emerged since the early 1990's. Civil Liberties and Public Policy, for example, created "The Great American Condom Campaign" in 2005 to encourage students to find new and innovative ways to distribute condoms on college campuses.
Saturday, March 2, 2013
Bacterial STIs and the Five Dimensions of Health
Social
Having or exposing oneself to a bacterial STI can result from poor social health. Having unprotected sex as a mean for social acceptance puts the individual at risk for bacterial contraction.
Intellectual
Failing to use protection and therefore exposing oneself to an STI is a sign of poor intellectual health. Failing to seek treatment or inform your partner once infected with a bacterial STI is also indicative of this.
Spiritual
The potential symptoms of bacterial STIs, especially infertility, can have a negative impact on an individual's spiritual health. Having unprotected sex or sex with multiple partners may be a sign of poor spiritual health for some.
Emotional
Infertility or an inability to have sex can cause depression or anxiety. Furthermore, having multiple sexual partners may be indicative of already existing poor emotional health.
Physical
Both the temporary and permanent symptoms of bacterial STIs have a physical toll on the body, causing both pain and altered appearance.
Having or exposing oneself to a bacterial STI can result from poor social health. Having unprotected sex as a mean for social acceptance puts the individual at risk for bacterial contraction.
Intellectual
Failing to use protection and therefore exposing oneself to an STI is a sign of poor intellectual health. Failing to seek treatment or inform your partner once infected with a bacterial STI is also indicative of this.
Spiritual
The potential symptoms of bacterial STIs, especially infertility, can have a negative impact on an individual's spiritual health. Having unprotected sex or sex with multiple partners may be a sign of poor spiritual health for some.
Emotional
Infertility or an inability to have sex can cause depression or anxiety. Furthermore, having multiple sexual partners may be indicative of already existing poor emotional health.
Physical
Both the temporary and permanent symptoms of bacterial STIs have a physical toll on the body, causing both pain and altered appearance.
Friday, March 1, 2013
Sources
The American Sexual Health Foundation (2013) STDs/STIs: Reduce Your Risk. http://www.ashastd.org/std-sti/reduce-your-risk.html.
Better Homes and Gardens (2012) STDs and Teens: A Reality Check. http://www.bhg.com/health-family/parenting-skills/teen-challenges/stds-teens-a-reality-check/.
Certafiedreviews (2013) STD/STI Test Hotline.Youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8zQXRyMjNw.
Civil Liberties and Public Policy (2012) Get Creative with the Great American Condom Campaign. http://clpp.hampshire.edu/get-creative-great-american-condom-campaign.
The National Prevention Information Network (2012) STDs Today. http://www.cdcnpin.org/scripts/std/std.asp.
The Society of Obsetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (2006) Bacterials STIs-STDs. http://www.sexualityandu.ca/stis-stds/types-of-stis-stds/bacterial-stis-stds.
Tapsall, John (2006) Review: Antibiotic Resistance is Niesseria gonorrhea is Diminishing Available Treatment Options for Gonorrhea: Some Possible Remedies. Journal of Expert Reviews (4) 4, p. 619-628. Accessed http://www.expert-reviews.com/doi/abs/10.1586/14787210.4.4.619?journalCode=eri&.
Yourstdhelp (2011) Chlamydia Condom Commercial Your STD Help. Youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfTZoU8n7x0.
Better Homes and Gardens (2012) STDs and Teens: A Reality Check. http://www.bhg.com/health-family/parenting-skills/teen-challenges/stds-teens-a-reality-check/.
Certafiedreviews (2013) STD/STI Test Hotline.Youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8zQXRyMjNw.
Civil Liberties and Public Policy (2012) Get Creative with the Great American Condom Campaign. http://clpp.hampshire.edu/get-creative-great-american-condom-campaign.
The National Prevention Information Network (2012) STDs Today. http://www.cdcnpin.org/scripts/std/std.asp.
The Society of Obsetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (2006) Bacterials STIs-STDs. http://www.sexualityandu.ca/stis-stds/types-of-stis-stds/bacterial-stis-stds.
Tapsall, John (2006) Review: Antibiotic Resistance is Niesseria gonorrhea is Diminishing Available Treatment Options for Gonorrhea: Some Possible Remedies. Journal of Expert Reviews (4) 4, p. 619-628. Accessed http://www.expert-reviews.com/doi/abs/10.1586/14787210.4.4.619?journalCode=eri&.
Yourstdhelp (2011) Chlamydia Condom Commercial Your STD Help. Youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfTZoU8n7x0.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)