STD Testing

SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS IN PREGNANCY

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are infections that can be contracted by having sex (genital, oral or anal) with someone who already has an infection.  Some STIs do not have any symptoms; therefore many individuals do not even know that they have a STI.  About 19 million individuals per year contract a STI in the United States.  If you are sexually active, it is important to get tested for STIs.

Common STIs include:

• Chlamydia
• Gonorrhea
• Syphilis
• Bacterial Vaginosis
• Trichomoniasis
• Genital Warts (HPV)
• HIV
• Hepatitis B
• Genital Herpes

Some of the more common STIs include Chlamydia, Syphilis, and Gonorrhea.  These are bacterial infections and can be cured if detected and treated in time. Unfortunately they may go undetected because they often present with mild or no symptoms. They can cause serious, possibly permanent, problems for males and females. For instance, Syphilis, if untreated, may go into a dormant stage and may reappear months or years later to cause serious complications: blindness, bone and/or heart damage, insanity and possible death. If Gonorrhea and Chlamydia go untreated they may cause females to develop PID (pelvic inflammatory disease) which can result in chronic pain, pregnancy problems, sterility or death. In males, Chlamydia may cause permanent damage to the male urinary tract.

The other common STIs are viral and are incurable and present just as many problems. HPV (Human Papillomavirus) causes easily spread warts and possible genital cancers in both sexes. It is the main cause of cervical cancer in women.  Genital Herpes presents as painful genital blisters and it can be transmitted even if the sore is not visible. Hepatitis B is an infectious viral liver disease which is more infectious than HIV and can cause liver cancer. Most carriers are not aware they are infected. Similarly HIV is very contagious and these carriers are often unaware of their disease. HIV can result in AIDS which can cause death.

Some general symptoms of STIs include: any unusual discharge from the penis or vagina; burning discomfort when urinating or dark urine; warts, sores or growths in genital or rectal area; unexplained skin rashes or sores; yellow eyes or skin; fever; nausea and lower abdominal pain; joint pain and/or enlarged lymph nodes. This list is not complete but alerts you to some of the symptoms.

If you know or suspect you have had contact with someone with an STI – please obtain proper testing and follow-up treatment. Keep in mind that there are serious and long term effects of STIs such as: chronic pelvic pain, cervical cancer, tubal pregnancy, infertility, damage to body organs and death.

STIs can also affect you and your baby during pregnancy and you should seek medical advice and be honest with your health care provider.

Remember that many sexual partners are not honest about their sexual history and that the more sexual partners you have the greater the risk of becoming infected with a STI. The Centers for Disease Control has published that “the consistent and correct use of male latex condoms can reduce (though not eliminate) the risk of STD transmission...however many infected persons may be unaware of their infections because STDs are often asymptomatic or unrecognized.”  The consistent and correct use is often difficult to achieve and the honesty of the sexual partners is often unreliable.  The CDC concluded with giving the most reliable ways to avoid transmission of STDs are “to abstain from sexual activity, or to be in a long-term mutually monogamous relationship with an uninfected partner.”

We at WNLC can provide you with more detailed information and direct you to centers for testing and treatment. 

 

REFERENCES:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of health and Human Services, National Center for HIV, STD and TB Prevention, Divisions of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Workshop Summary:  Scientific Evidence on Condom Effectiveness for Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Prevention, June 12-13, 2000, found here (a review of 138 scientific studies concerning condom effectiveness published July 20, 2001, accessed 1-12-07).

“The Silent Epidemic” Brochure,1994, California Nurses for Ethical Standards (revised 2006).

Centers for Disease Control, Division of Sexually Transmitted Diseases, www.cdc.gov (accessed 1-21-2009).

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