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SEXUALLY TRANSMITTABLE INFECTIONS (STI's)
The following descriptions of conditions, which may be sexually acquired, are meant as an overview only and not as a means of self diagnosis. If you are worried that you may have been exposed to a particular condition you should seek advice from a health care professional such as those in your local Department of Genito Urinary Medicine. All treatment in these clinics is free of prescription charges.
GU Medicine clinics in BFG are held at Bielefeld Monday-Friday. Clinics are also held at Wegberg and Hohne but please contact the main clinic at Bielefeld for specific dates and times of these clinics. Tel, Mil 81 3339 or civ 0521 9254 3339
When used properly, condoms offer a great deal of protection from all sexually transmitted infections as well as a means of preventing pregnancy. They are not however 100% guaranteed. Some women still fall pregnant even though their partner has used a condom.
Genital Warts.
Warts are caused by a virus which may produce fleshy growths at the site of infection. Warts can appear anywhere on the skin surfaces of the body. They can also be found in areas such as the vagina, mouth, rectum, urethra (the pipe you pass urine through) and can appear on the cervix (neck or entrance to the womb in females).
There are many types of warts, some of which may appear on the genital area. Warts that appear on the genital area are usually sexually acquired although the sexual act does not have to take place for their transmission. Close bodily contact can be enough to pass on the virus.
If you have sex with someone who has genital warts, you may also develop genital warts, although this may take some time (3 months or even longer is not unusual).
They may also go unnoticed by some people especially if they are hidden from view such as inside the vagina, on the cervix or inside the rectum.
Recognizing warts can be difficult. They can appear alone or in groups, may be tiny, flat or smooth, or they may become large with a distinctive cauliflower like appearance.
If you suspect warts are present you should get them confirmed as warts by a health care professional. Health care staff in departments of Genito Urinary Medicine have much experience in recognizing and treating genital warts.
Non Specific Urethritis (NSU).
NSU is the most common cause of urethral discharges in men, partners of males with urethritis may have no signs or symptoms themselves.
As the term implies, this is a condition whereby the urethra (the pipe you pass urine through) is inflamed, usually through no specific identifiable cause (hence the words Non Specific), chlamydia is thought to be a major culprit.
Urethritis may be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, trauma, even allergy.
Symptoms of urethritis can be a burning or stinging sensation when passing urine, or a discharge may be noticed which may be clear and watery or even yellow and profuse.
Symptoms usually appear two to four weeks after having sex, although some people may have no symptoms at all and it is only discovered on a routine check.
Departments of Genito Urinary Medicine routinely screen individuals for urethritis, the results of the tests performed for this purpose are available during your visit to the clinic.
Chlamydia
Chlamydia is a bacteria which can infect the genital tract in men and women. It is a common cause of urethritis in men and genital infection in women. In men chlamydia may cause symptoms the same as those described for NSU. Women may have no symptoms of infection, or the signs are so slight as to go un-noticed or cause little concern.
Men may have no signs or symptoms initially. Signs and symptoms may only appear after some time, which can be months or even longer.
Signs and symptoms that may occur initially are:
Women may notice:
an unusual vaginal discharge
bleeding between periods
pain, burning or stinging when passing urine.
Men may notice:
a discharge at the tip of the penis, which may be watery or clear, or profuse and yellow.
Pain, burning or stinging when passing urine.
If untreated or undetected chlamydia may spread within the genital tract/reproductive system and cause problems. Epididymitis in men (swelling of the tube sperm are stored in around the testis). Pelvic inflammatory disease in women (inflammation of the pelvic tissues such as the tubes) which may lead onto other problems such as infertility.
Departments of Genito Urinary Medicine routinely screen individuals for chlamydia. The results of the tests performed for this purpose may take a few days before they are available.
Herpes
Herpes is caused by the herpes simplex virus, of which there are two common types. Type one HSV (I) is usually responsible for the "cold sores" to appear around the mouth and nose.
Type two HSV (II) is usually responsible for genital sores although both types can be found in both areas of the body. Rarely herpes appears on other parts of the body where the virus has managed to gain entry.
Th initial attack of herpes is usually the most severe, with painful ulceration or blisters at the site of infection. This initial attack may last up to 10 days, with other symptoms such as feeling generally unwell or pain on passing urine.
Some individuals have some protection from an attack with the type two virus if they already have antibody to the type one virus from cold sores, and visa versa. Some people may only get a mild initial attack from either virus and only experience mild symptoms such as stinging, itching or tingling at the site of infection, with or without blisters forming.
If you suspect herpes is present you should seek advice from a health care professional as soon as possible, e,g your GP or preferably your local Sexual Health/GU Medicine department. They will be able to take tests to determine if any ulceration is due to herpes and exclude other possible causes.
Treatment is available for herpes which can limit the severity, duration and frequency of attacks. You will also obtain lots of information about how the condition can be managed to suit you.
Candida/Thrush
Candida, also known as thrush, is a fungal or yeast like organism, which can be isolated from all over the human body. Normally the organism is kept under control by our natural immune system. Sometimes the organism gets out of control or takes advantage of an opportunity to multiply and cause symptoms.
Fungal infections are more likely to occur, or multiply, if you are pregnant, taking antibiotics, have diabetes, taking the oral contraceptive pill, have unprotected sex with someone who has the infection, have a lowered immune system, douch/wash inside the vagina. Even wearing tight jeans or nylon underwear can make an individual more susceptible.
Athletes foot is a fungal infection between the toes and is a very common example of a fungal infection. Fungal infections of the genital area are common especially in women and can occur in men who may carry the fungus without symptoms.
Symptoms that may occur are itching, soreness and redness around the vagina, vulva or anus in women. The same symptoms may occur behind the foreskin or around the anus in men.
A vaginal or urethral discharge mau occur, which may look yellow and smell yeasty. It may be painful to have sex or to pass urine.
Departments of Sexual Health/Genito Urinary Medicine routinely screen individuals for candida/thrush. The results of some tests performed for this purpose are available during your visit to the clinic.
Bacterial Vaginosis/Gardnerella/Anaerobic Vaginosis
Vaginosis may occur when the normal, protective, acidic environment of the vagina is changed. Bacteria may then multiply or persist and cause symptoms. The condition is often referred to as vaginosis, gardnerella, or anaerobic vaginosis.
Symptoms include an unusual white or gray vaginal discharge. A strong fishy smell may be noticed especially after sex, or near to the time of mensturation.
Men do not often suffer from the bacteria which cause vaginosis in women, but may carry the organism unnoticed. Some men with partners that have vaginosis may have signs and symptoms of NSU.
Departments of Sexual Health/Genito Urinary Medicine screen women for vaginosis. The results of the tests performed for this purpose are available during your visit to the clinic.
Gonorrhoea
Gonorrhoea is caused by a bacteria which can infect the urethra, cervix, rectum, eyes and throat. Left untreated it can even become systemic, getting into the blood stream of the body and causing problems elsewhere. Gonorrhoea is one of the few conditions that are truly sexually transmitted and its presence implies unprotected penetrative sex.
Symptoms include (depending on which part of the body is infected) in men, a profuse yellow discharge from the penis, pain passing urine, a sore throat, itching or discharge from the anus.
Women may notice an unusual vaginal discharge, pain passing urine, a sore throat, itching or discharge from the anus.
In both men and women there may be no signs or symptoms of the infection and it may be discovered only after examination and tests.
Departments of Sexual Health/Genito Urinary Medicine routinely screen individuals for gonorrhoea, some results of the tests performed for this purpose are available during your visit to the clinic.
Hepatitis B and C
Hepatitis is caused by a virus which effects the function of the liver and can lead onto jaundice, liver damage, such as cirrhosis, and even liver cancer.
Hepatitis B can be acquired through sexual intercourse and also through injecting drugs, transfusion of infected blood products and from mother to unborn child, or during birth.
Some may become unwell when infected by the virus and become jaundiced with a yellowing of the eyes and skin. The infection can be confirmed or excluded by a blood test which can look for the virus or antibodies produced against it. The infection can be prevented by vaccination. All pregnant women are now routinely offered a test for hepatitis B and vaccination of those infected during pregnancy has a high success rate of preventing infection to the baby.
Departments of Sexual Health/Genito Urinary Medicine can offer those individuals at risk or those who request it, vaccination against hepatitis B.
Hepatitis C is rarely sexually acquired. More commonly it is transmitted through injecting drugs, the sharing of needles and the sharing of other works associated with drug use, such as ampoules of water, spoons and filters. It can also be passed on from mother to unborn child. Symptoms can be the same as those in Hepatitis B but to often symptom free. The department may offer those at risk a blood test for hepatitis C, although at present there is no vaccine available for. If diagnosed it is important to monitor the function of the liver, and to give individuals help and advice on managing the infection.
Trichomonas
Trichomonas is a microscopic protozoa that can infect the vagina and urethra. It rarely causes signs or symptoms, is rarely isolated in men, although a urethritis may be present. Men can therefore carry the organism without noticing its presence.
Signs and symptoms in women include a green frothy vaginal discharge, which may have a fishy odour. There may be soreness and itching in and around the vagina.
Sometimes the organism may be discovered on a routine smear test.
Departments of Sexual Health/Genito Urinary Medicine routinely screen women for trichomonas. Results of the tests performed for this purpose may be available during your visit to the clinic.
Syphilis
Syphilis is caused by a organism called treponema pallidum, and is nearly always sexually acquired, although it can be passed on from mother to unborn child. Syphilis is uncommon BFG, although there have been isolated outbreaks recently recorded within the UK.
A person with syphilis may go through 3 different stages of the disease although some stages may be missed or are not noticed. These stages are termed primary, secondary and tertiary syphilis.
Syphilis is acquired from sexual intercourse with another person who has the active disease. The initial or primary stage may take 9 to 90 days to develop, by which time a primary sore may appear at the site of infection. The word sore may be misleading as it is usually painless unless some other germ has also infected the skin where the sore has appeared. It does, however, give the appearance it should be sore.
Even without treatment the sore may disappear and everything seems normal, but from the onset of the disease an infected individual may infect others through sexual activity until they are treated.
If the secondary stage does occur it usually does so within 6 months to 2 years of infection, and may manifest itself in a multitude of ways. Commonly this is manifested by an all over superficial, non irritant, body rash. There may be some flu like symptoms or the development of what appear to be warts in warm moist areas of the skin e.g. around the anus or under breasts. Again even without treatment the disease may seem to disappear.
After some time a period of latency occurs, (which can be as long as 40 years) or there are signs and symptoms of tertiary syphilis. There are a multitude of these signs and symptoms as syphilis can effect any organ or tissue in the body. It may have a profound effect on the cardiovascular system, effecting the heart and blood vessels, or on the neurological/nervous system effecting the brain and spinal cord.
At any stage of the disease syphilis can be treated and totally cured, preventing from development of one stage to another.
Departments of Sexual Health/Genito Urinary Medicine and Ante Natal clinics routinely screen individuals for syphilis through a blood test. Sexually active individuals who develop sores of any kind around the genital, anal or oral area should seek advice and screening from their local Sexual Health/Genito Urinary Medicine clinic.
The above are just some of the infections which may be sexually acquired, there are many others to numerous to describe here.
All sexually active individuals may expose themselves to one or more sexually transmittable infections. If in doubt attend your local Sexual Health/Genito Urinary Medicine clinic, these departments offer screening, advice and if needed free treatment.
Useful links to other sites:
www.shastd.org.uk (health advisors web page on std,s)
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