Sexually Transmitted Diseases — Revision Notes

⚡ 30-Second Revision

Bacterial STDs (Curable):

- Gonorrhea: *Neisseria gonorrhoeae*, discharge, painful urination. - Chlamydia: *Chlamydia trachomatis*, often asymptomatic, discharge, PID. - Syphilis: *Treponema pallidum*, chancre, rash, neurological damage if untreated.

Viral STDs (Incurable):

- Genital Herpes: HSV, recurrent painful blisters/sores. - Genital Warts (HPV): HPV, warts, linked to cancers (cervical, anal). - HIV/AIDS: HIV, weakens immune system, opportunistic infections. - Hepatitis B: HBV, liver infection, cirrhosis, cancer.

Protozoan STDs (Curable):

- Trichomoniasis: *Trichomonas vaginalis*, frothy discharge, itching.

Transmission: — Sexual contact, vertical (mother-to-child), blood (HIV, Hep B).
Prevention: — Abstinence, condoms, vaccination (HPV, Hep B), early detection.

2-Minute Revision

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) are infections primarily spread through sexual contact. They are broadly categorized by their causative agents: bacteria, viruses, and protozoa. Bacterial STDs like Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, and Syphilis are curable with antibiotics.

Viral STDs such as Genital Herpes, Genital Warts (HPV), HIV/AIDS, and Hepatitis B are incurable, meaning the virus stays in the body, but their symptoms can be managed with antiviral medications. Protozoan STDs like Trichomoniasis are also curable.

Transmission occurs mainly via sexual contact, but also from mother to child (vertical transmission) or through contaminated blood (HIV, Hepatitis B). Many STDs can be asymptomatic, highlighting the importance of regular testing.

Untreated STDs can lead to severe complications including infertility, ectopic pregnancy, chronic pain, and certain cancers. Prevention is key, involving abstinence, consistent condom use, vaccination (for HPV and Hepatitis B), and early diagnosis and treatment.

5-Minute Revision

STDs are infections transmitted primarily through sexual contact, affecting reproductive health globally. They are classified by their pathogens: bacterial, viral, and protozoan.

Bacterial STDs (e.g., Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, Syphilis) are caused by bacteria and are generally curable with antibiotics. Gonorrhea (*Neisseria gonorrhoeae*) and Chlamydia (*Chlamydia trachomatis*) often cause discharge and painful urination, and if untreated, can lead to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) in women, resulting in infertility or ectopic pregnancies.

Syphilis (*Treponema pallidum*) progresses through stages, from a painless chancre to a rash, and can cause severe neurological and cardiovascular damage in its tertiary stage if untreated.

Viral STDs (e.g., Genital Herpes, Genital Warts/HPV, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B) are caused by viruses and are currently incurable. Genital Herpes (HSV) causes recurrent painful blisters. Genital Warts (HPV) causes warts and certain high-risk types are linked to cervical, anal, and oropharyngeal cancers; a vaccine is available.

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) attacks the immune system, leading to AIDS, but can be managed with antiretroviral therapy (ART). Hepatitis B (HBV) affects the liver, potentially causing cirrhosis and liver cancer; a vaccine is available.

Protozoan STDs (e.g., Trichomoniasis) are caused by protozoa and are curable with antiparasitic drugs. *Trichomonas vaginalis* causes frothy, foul-smelling discharge and itching.

Transmission occurs sexually, vertically (mother-to-child during pregnancy/childbirth for HIV, Syphilis, Hep B, Herpes), and via blood (HIV, Hep B through shared needles or transfusions).

Symptoms vary widely, and many STDs are asymptomatic, making regular screening crucial. Common symptoms include sores, warts, abnormal discharge, itching, and painful urination.

Complications of untreated STDs are severe: infertility, ectopic pregnancy, chronic pain, increased susceptibility to HIV, and various cancers.

Prevention is multifaceted: abstinence, consistent and correct use of condoms, vaccination (HPV, Hepatitis B), avoiding shared needles, and early diagnosis and treatment of infected individuals and their partners. Education and awareness are vital for reproductive health.

Prelims Revision Notes

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Definition: — STDs/STIs are infections primarily transmitted via sexual contact (vaginal, anal, oral). Can also be vertical (mother-to-child) or blood-borne.
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Causative Agents & Curability:

* Bacterial (Curable): * Gonorrhea: *Neisseria gonorrhoeae*. Symptoms: Purulent discharge, dysuria. Complications: PID, infertility. * Chlamydia: *Chlamydia trachomatis*. Often asymptomatic.

Symptoms: Mild discharge, dysuria. Complications: PID, ectopic pregnancy, infertility. * Syphilis: *Treponema pallidum*. Stages: Primary (painless chancre), Secondary (rash, flu-like), Latent, Tertiary (neurosyphilis, cardiovascular damage).

Congenital syphilis. * Chancroid: *Haemophilus ducreyi*. Painful genital ulcers. * Viral (Incurable, manageable): * Genital Herpes: Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV-1, HSV-2). Symptoms: Recurrent painful blisters/sores.

No cure, antivirals manage outbreaks. * Genital Warts (HPV): Human Papillomavirus. Symptoms: Genital warts. High-risk types cause cervical, anal, oropharyngeal cancers. Vaccine available. * HIV/AIDS: Human Immunodeficiency Virus.

Attacks CD4+ T-cells, leads to AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) manages infection, reduces transmission. No cure. * Hepatitis B: Hepatitis B Virus (HBV). Affects liver, acute/chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, liver cancer.

Vaccine available. * Protozoan (Curable): * Trichomoniasis: *Trichomonas vaginalis*. Symptoms: Frothy, greenish-yellow discharge, itching, dysuria (females). Often asymptomatic in males.

Treated with metronidazole.

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Common Symptoms: — Genital sores/ulcers, abnormal discharge, painful urination (dysuria), genital itching, warts/growths, rashes, flu-like symptoms. Many STDs are asymptomatic.
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Complications of Untreated STDs:

* Infertility (due to PID from Chlamydia/Gonorrhea). * Ectopic pregnancy. * Increased risk of HIV acquisition. * Cancers (cervical, anal, oropharyngeal from HPV; liver cancer from Hep B). * Congenital infections (severe health issues in newborns). * Chronic pelvic pain.

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Prevention Strategies:

* Abstinence: 100% effective. * Safe Sex: Consistent and correct use of condoms (male/female). * Monogamy: Mutually monogamous relationship with uninfected partner. * Vaccination: For HPV and Hepatitis B. * Early Detection & Treatment: Regular screening, prompt treatment of infected individuals and partners. * Avoid Sharing Needles: Prevents blood-borne STDs (HIV, Hep B).

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Key Terms: — Asymptomatic carrier, vertical transmission, opportunistic infection, seroconversion, PID.

Vyyuha Quick Recall

Herpes Has HIV, HPV, Hepatitis B - Viruses Incurable. Syphilis, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea - Bacteria Curable.

(Helps remember which are viral/incurable and which are bacterial/curable, with 'H' for viral and 'S, C, G' for bacterial.)