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Sexually Transmitted
Diseases: Definition
Glossary of terms
Safe Sex and Condoms
Other STD Web sites
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Common STDs in South Australia
On this page, a brief overview of the most common
sexually transmitted diseases in South Australia is presented. More
detailed information is available by clicking the link underneath the
brief description of the disease.
The "Essential Facts" were originally written
for clients attending Clinic 275
and reflect management practices at the time of writing. If you are not a
client of Clinic 275, some of the details about diagnosis and management
may not apply to you.
Contents
What
are sexually transmitted diseases?
Information
about Safe Sex
Those infectious diseases which spread from person to
person during intimate sexual contact are "sexually transmitted
diseases" (STDs). (Detailed definition.) |
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Related Pages
Gonorrhoea contents
Essential facts
More information
Diagnosis and
management
(includes clinical photographs)
Statistics
Antibiotic
Sensitivity 1999
Pamphlet
(pdf format)
Pelvic inflammatory
disease
PID diagnosis and
management
Top of Page
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Gonorrhoea is cured by antibiotics but if untreated, this
infection can cause infertility in women and (less commonly) in men.
In men this infection can cause burning when passing
urine and a yellow discharge from the penis. Some men may have the disease
without any symptoms.
In women there is often no sign of gonorrhoea, but some
women may have a yellow vaginal discharge, low abdominal pain, or
irregular menstrual bleeding. The
infection can spread to the reproductive organs in women and cause pelvic
inflammatory disease (PID).
In both sexes, infection of the rectum may occur during anal
sex and infection of the throat may follow oral sex. Gonorrhoea usually
causes no symptoms in either of these sites.
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Related Pages
Chlamydia contents
Essential facts
More information
Diagnosis and
management
Statistics
Pamphlet
(pdf format)
Pelvic inflammatory
disease
PID diagnosis and
management
Top of Page |
Chlamydia is a common infection, particularly among young, sexually active
people and is easily cured by antibiotics. Most people do not have any symptoms.
Women often have no sign of infection, but some may have a
vaginal discharge, low abdominal pain, or
irregular menstrual bleeding.
In men this infection can cause a discharge from the
penis or pain when passing urine. Many men may have the infection without any symptoms.
If untreated, this infection can
cause infertility in women and (less commonly) in men. Untreated chlamydia
is the most common cause of infection spreading to the reproductive organs
in women (pelvic inflammatory disease).
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Related Pages
Syphilis contents
Essential facts
More information
Diagnosis and
management
(includes clinical photographs)
Statistics
Syphilis
screening algorithm
Pamphlet
(pdf format)
Top of Page
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Initially, this infection may produce a painless sore on the mouth or
genitals. The sore will disappear completely in 2-3 weeks. Two to four
months after infection there may be symptoms including a generalised skin
rash, patchy loss of hair or moist lumps around the genitals or anus. If
not treated, these symptoms may disappear and then recur over the next two
years. Syphilis can be cured with antibiotics. If untreated, a person may
be infectious to sex partners for up to two years and some people develop
conditions involving the brain, heart or spinal cord.
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Related Pages
Non-specific urethritis contents
Essential facts
More information
Diagnosis and
management
Pamphlet
(pdf format)
Chlamydia information
Gonorrhoea information
Top of Page |
This occurs in men and may produce discharge from the penis or burning
when passing urine. It is an inflammation of the urethra which is not
caused by gonorrhoea or chlamydia. Antibiotic treatment cures the
infection.
Although it does not cause symptoms in women, female partners
of men with NSU may need to be examined if re-infection occurs. Male
partners of men with NSU should also be examined.
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Related Pages
Trichomonas contents
Essential facts
More details
Diagnosis
and management
Pamphlet
(pdf format)
Top of Page |
In women, this infection can cause an unpleasant discharge and
irritation of the vagina. Antibiotics cure the infection. Men usually do
not get symptoms but may need to be treated to prevent re-infection of
their partners.
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Related Pages
Genital Herpes
Contents
Essential Facts
More
Information
Diagnosis and
management
(includes clinical
photographs)
Herpes WWW Links
Reading Material
Pamphlet
(pdf format)
Top of Page |
The herpes simplex virus can cause "cold sores" if the mouth
is infected or genital ulcers if the sexual organs are infected - the same
virus causes both infections. Oral sex with someone with a cold sore may
result in genital infection in the partner and vice versa. Symptoms
include clusters of blisters which then become ulcers. These usually heal
in 10-14 days. Many people infected with the herpes virus never develop
any symptoms and are unaware that they have the infection. If symptoms do
occur, the first outbreak of genital herpes is usually the worst,
subsequent outbreaks are usually less severe. Recurrence is usually at or near the site of the original sore.
Some people never get a recurrence.
For people who have severe and repeated outbreaks medication is available
which can help to control their symptoms.
Once a person has genital herpes, the virus stays in specific nerve
cells and may be passed on to other people by sexual contact (oral, anal
or genital). Transmission can sometimes occur even if the infected person
does not have an active outbreak of herpes blisters or ulcers.
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Related Pages
Warts contents
Essential facts
More details
Diagnosis and
management
(Includes clinical photographs)
Pamphlet
(pdf format)
Top of Page |
Genital warts are very common. There are many strains of the wart virus
and they tend to affect specific parts of the body. Genital warts are
usually spread by sexual contact. Some people have obvious warts, but
others carry the virus and pass it on without having any obvious signs of
warts. Genital warts may not appear for months, or even years after
infection has occurred. Treatment involves removing the warts by
"freezing" or applying a lotion. The virus can remain in the
body and be passed on to a sex partner even though the warts are gone.
There is evidence that if particular strains of the wart virus are
present on a woman's cervix she may be at increased risk of developing
cancer of the cervix. Regular Pap smears and early specialist treatment,
if necessary, will help prevent cancer of the cervix.
New: HPV vaccine study: Join
the fight against cervical cancer
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Related Pages
Molluscum contagiosum contents
Essential facts
Diagnosis and
management
(includes clinical photographs)
Pamphlet
(pdf format)
Top of Page
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Molluscum is a skin infection and appears on the genitals and adjacent
areas as round, pearly lumps with a central white core. This is a harmless
condition and is treated by "freezing". It can be spread by
sexual and non sexual contact.
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HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)
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Related Pages
HIV information contents
HIV: Essential facts
HIV: More details
HIV: Management guidelines
Case
definitions of AIDS-defining illnesses
Statistics
HIV-related links
Pamphlet
(pdf format)
Top of Page |
This virus is spread by blood to blood contact (e.g. sharing needles) or
by sex (vaginal, oral or anal). Once infected, a person remains infected,
and infectious, for life. HIV is diagnosed by a blood tests.
HIV is a virus which affects the immune system. People with HIV
infection may have no symptoms for many years. Ultimately, the immune
system becomes ineffective and serious infections and/or cancers develop.
This is known as AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome).
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Related Pages
Hepatitis B contents
Essential facts
More information
Diagnosis and
management
Vaccination
program audit
Statistics
Hepatitis-related links
Pamphlet
(pdf format)
Top of Page |
Hepatitis B is a virus which affects the liver. The virus is
present in blood and body fluids, and spread by
blood-to-blood contact (sharing injecting drug equipment) or by sex (vaginal, oral or
anal). People who are infected may have no symptoms at all or they may
become ill with fever, nausea, dark urine or jaundice (yellow skin and
eyes).
After infection, most adults recover, develop antibodies to the
virus and cannot spread the virus to others. A few adults retain the
virus, become carriers, may infect other people, and have an increased
risk of developing liver disease.
A vaccine for Hepatitis B is available.
It is not effective for Hepatitis B carriers.
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Related Pages
Hepatitis C contents
Essential facts
Diagnosis and
management
Statistics
Hepatitis-related links
Pamphlet
(pdf format)
Top of Page |
Hepatitis C is another virus which affects the liver.
About 80% of people infected with hepatitis C virus remain carriers, with
the virus staying in their liver and bloodstream. Long term carriers may develop liver problems years after
infection. There is no single test to show whether a person has completely cleared the virus
from their body or if they remain a carrier, but a series of tests suggest
clearance in about 20% of cases.
Hepatitis C is spread by blood-to-blood contact and even
low levels of virus can be a source of infection to others. Hepatitis C
infection is not
easily spread by sexual contact. Many
Australians with hepatitis C have been infected by experimenting with
injecting drug use, sharing either needles or other equipment. In
the past, contaminated blood transfusions were another source of infection
(since
1990, blood has been screened for hepatitis C).
There is no vaccine available for Hepatitis C.
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Crabs (Pubic lice/Pediculosis pubis) 
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Related Pages
Crabs/Pubic lice contents
Essential facts
More information
Diagnosis and
management
(includes clinical photographs)
Pamphlet
(pdf format)
Top of Page |
These are lice that attach to coarse body hair and cause irritation.
They are usually spread by close body contact and rarely by contact with
unwashed bed linen, towels etc. A lotion is applied to infested parts of
the body. One or two applications will usually kill the lice and eggs.
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Related Pages
Scabies contents
Essential facts
More details
Diagnosis and
management
Pamphlet
(pdf format)
Top of Page |
Scabies are mites which burrow into the skin and set up an intense
itching in the infested person. Transmission is by prolonged close body
contact and the mites may be easily passed on among children. A lotion is
applied externally to the entire body from the neck down. One or two
applications will usually kill the mites and eggs.
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Related Pages
Bacterial vaginosis
contents
Essential
facts
More
information
Diagnosis
and management
Pamphlet
(pdf format)
Top of Page |
Bacterial vaginosis is an overgrowth of various bacteria which are
normally present in the vagina - Gardnerella is one bacterium which may be
involved. The reason for the change in vaginal bacterial growth is
uncertain. Some women develop bacterial vaginosis soon after intercourse
with a new partner.
Symptoms may include irritation and vaginal discharge
with an unpleasant odour. This condition is only treated in women who have
symptoms. No counterpart to bacterial vaginosis occurs in men and
treatment of male partners is not indicated.
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Thrush (Candidiasis)
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Related Pages
Candida/Thrush contents
Essential facts
More information
Diagnosis and
management
Pamphlet
(pdf format)
Top of Page |
Candida is a yeast that normally occurs in the mouth, vagina and
intestines without causing any symptoms. This is not an STD, but in women
sex may irritate the vagina and allow candida to grow more than usual. If an overgrowth of
this fungus occurs, it may produce an itchy vaginal discharge which
requires anti-fungal treatment. Male partners do not require treatment.
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Related Pages
Balanitis contents
Essential facts
More information
Diagnosis and
management
(includes clinical photographs)
Pamphlet
(pdf format)
Top of Page |
Balanitis is inflammation (redness and soreness) of the head of the
penis. It is not an STD but sex may irritate the head of the penis and
lead to balanitis. Men with foreskins are more likely to get this
condition.
Keeping the head of the penis and the foreskin clean and dry is
the most effective treatment. Antifungal or steroid creams are not usually
recommended. Sexual partners do not require treatment.
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Recommended Reading
Sexually Transmitted Diseases by Plummer, Kovacs and Westmore.
Hill of Content Publishing |
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