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STD Frequently Asked Questions
All of these diseases are passed on by having
unprotected sex (any kind of sex) with someone who is infected. You
cannot tell someone is infected by their looks!! Remember, STDs
including HIV (the virus which causes AIDS) are passed on by having
unprotected sex.
Primary Syphilis
- Infectious agent is the spirochete Treponema pallidum.
- Symptoms – non-painful sore on genital area (outside or inside)
or on lip or inside mouth, caused by sexual contact with someone who
has a primary syphilis sore.
- Frequently asked questions –
Do I always know I have it? No, the sore may be where you can’t
see it (inside vagina, for example).
Does the sore last a long time? No, the sore is only present for
one or two weeks, then no symptoms until the next stage, secondary
syphilis.
Can a pregnant woman pass syphilis on to her unborn baby? Yes, a
pregnant woman with syphilis who is not treated early enough can
pass syphilis on to her baby, who can be born critically ill.
Secondary Syphilis
- Infectious agent is the same as primary syphilis above.
- Symptoms – non-painful, non-itchy rash typically on palms of
hands, soles of feet, may be anywhere on body. Rash is often spots
which are darker than the normal skin color.
- Frequently asked questions –
Is the rash contagious? Yes, the rash is very contagious.
Is syphilis curable? Yes, it is easily curable with the right type
and amount of penicillin.
What if I am allergic to penicillin? Another type of antibiotic may
be used.
Herpes
- Infectious agent is the herpes simplex virus.
- Symptoms – painful blisters on genital area, can come and go.
Some persons have sores that are so mildly painful that they do not
know they have them. Others also can have sores in areas that are
not seen, again like in the vagina, or mouth.
- Frequently asked questions -
Can I get herpes or pass it on even if there are no sores present?
Yes, it may be possible to get it or pass it on even if no sores are
present.
How long does the infection last? It will remain in your body for
the remainder of your life. You can be infectious to others at
periodic times for many years.
Chlamydia
- Infectious agent is Chlamydia trachomatis, a bacteria.
- Symptoms – yellow or mucous-like discharge form the vagina or
penis. Usually the discharge is of a small amount. Most persons do
not have any symptoms.
- Frequently asked questions –
Can chlamydia cause me to become sterile? Yes, untreated chlamydia
can cause infertility or long-term pelvic pain.
Can I have it and not know I have it? Yes, you may not have any
symptoms but be infected for several years.
Gonorrhea
- Infectious agent is Neisseria gonorrhoae, a bacteria.
- Symptoms – yellow or greenish or mucous-like discharge. A female
may have burning on urination or pelvic pain. A male often may have
burning with urination, and may notice a stain in his underwear.
- Frequently asked questions –
Can a male have gonorrhea and not know they have it? Yes, it is
possible to not have any symptoms. It is more likely that a female
would have milder symptoms, or not have any symptoms than for a male.
Genital warts
- Infectious agent is the human papilloma virus (HPV).
- Symptoms – cauliflower-like warty growths which may be on the
genital area, outside or inside.
- Frequently asked questions –
Why do I have these warts and my partner doesn’t? It is possible
for one person to have genital warts and their partner to be free of
warts.
I was told that I have an abnormal Pap smear caused by this virus,
why didn’t I have warts? There are several types of HPV, some of
which cause genital warts and some cause abnormal Pap smears.
I have heard warts cause cancer, is this true? Yes, some types of
HPV do cause cervical cancers in women and penile cancer in men.
Remember: If you know you have an STD like Herpes or HPV (genital
warts) or HIV, you must protect your future partners from infection. You
must tell them before having sex and use condoms if you do have sex. |
