| HIV (Human Immunodeficiency
Virus) is a blood born pathogen that can be transmitted sexually.
In North Carolina, numbers continue to increase among college
students. |
| Symptoms |
initial infection may have no symptoms; several
months to years after exposure flu like symptoms, enlarged lymph
nodes, night sweats, rashes, eventually leading to more serious
illnesses such as cancer, pneumonia, blindness, and deterioration
of the body. |
| Treatment |
No Cure! A health care provider or HIV counselor will test
a blood sample for HIV antibodies. Treatment is available for
symptoms and to the slow progression of disease. |
| If untreated |
cancer, pneumonia, herpes, fungal infections, and death. |
| Genital
Warts (Human Papilloma Virus) is the fastest growing STD in
U.S. It is estimated that half of all Americans will be infected
in their lifetime. Warts can be transmitted through intercourse
(vaginal, anal or oral) or skin-to-skin contact when lesions
are or are not present. |
| Vaccination |
A vaccine is available to help protect against four strains of HPV; 2 strains linked to cervical cancer and 2 strains linked to genital warts. |
| Symptoms |
weeks to months after exposure clusters of pink/flesh
colored bumps will appear at the site of infection that may
cause itching, burning, or tenderness. The bumps are usually
painless and may be microscopic. |
| Treatment |
No cure and outbreaks can reoccur! A health care provider
must diagnose. A biopsy of the lesion may be done. External
treatments are available for symptoms. Bumps must be removed
with each outbreak by laser surgery, surgical removal, cauterization,
or chemicals. |
| If untreated |
May be passed to child during childbirth. May be linked to
cancer of the anus, penis, vulva, & cervix. Infertility/sterility
possible.
|
| Genital Herpes (Herpes
Simplex Virus II) has an estimated 1 million new cases year;
i in 4 college students infected. HSV I is oral herpes and HSV
2 is genital herpes. Both types can be transmitted from mouth
to genital contact, genital to genital contact, as well as,
skin-to-skin contact when lesions are or are not present. |
| Symptoms |
an itching or tingling at the site of infection;
within 10 days or up to years after exposure blisters may appear
accompanied by flu like symptoms. The blisters will crust over
and shed in about 2 weeks. The virus then lies dormant in the
body and may reoccur. Infectious even when there are no symptoms.
|
| Treatment |
No cure and outbreaks can reoccur! A health care provider
must make the diagnosis through laboratory blood tests. Medications
may be taken to ease the symptoms of the initial outbreak or
routinely for those with frequent outbreaks. Topical treatments
are available for the lesions with a prescription. |
| If untreated |
Outbreaks are recurrent and remain painful. The infection
may be spread to other body parts; infection is transmittable
to partners through sexual contact anytime or by skin-to-skin
contact just prior to and during an outbreak. May be passed
to child during childbirth. |
| Molluscum
is transmitted by coming in contact with an infected person's
lesion through intercourse (vaginal, anal or oral) or skin-to-skin
contact. |
| Symptoms |
small, round, raised lesions
with white /or chest; may itch; may develop secondary infection |
| Treatment |
No cure! People are treated with cryo (freezing), scraping
or chemicals |
| If untreated |
secondary bacterial infection |
| Hepatitis
B is a blood born pathogen and 100 times more contagious than
HIV. A vaccine is available. |
| Symptoms |
tiredness, dark urine, muscle & joint aches,
stomach virus like symptoms, yellowing of the eyes & skin.
May last 2-6 months after exposure. |
| Treatment |
No cure! People are treated with Alpha Interferon and a special
diet. There is a vaccine available and is now included in childhood
immunizations. |
| If untreated |
Over a lifetime it is possible there will be chronic active
hepatitis, cirrhosis, liver cancer, and even death from complications.
|
Abstinence is the best prevention against STD
transmission. Barrier methods, such as condoms
and dental dams, will minimize the risk of contracting or spreading
most viral STDs. With Herpes, Warts and Molluscum touching an infected
area can cause transmission.
Student Health Services offers HIV
and STD testing and counseling.
For more information regarding Sexually Transmitted Diseases
American Social
Health Association
Planned Parenthood
|
