Common Infections

Facts

Symptoms

Treatment

Long -Term Effects

BACTERIAL VAGINOSIS

• Mild infection in the vagina
• Affects only women

• Abnormal discharge

• Pills to be taken by mouth or gels/creams to be applied to the vagina

• If left untreated bacteria can reach the uterus and fallopian tubes and cause serious damage

CHLAMYDIA

• Most common of all bacterial infections
• Affects mainly women and some men

• Abnormal genital discharge
• Burning with urination

• With an antibiotic

• May lead to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease and infertility in women

GENITAL WARTS

• Related to the virus that causes common skin warts
• Affects both men and women

• First appear as small, painless bumps.
• Grow into large fleshy lumps

• Treated by freezing

• Possibly cervical cancer and other genital cancers

GONORRHEA

• Is also known as "The Clap"
• Affects mainly women and some men

• Discharge from vagina or penis, difficulty and pain when urinating

• New and potent antibiotics

• Painful infection and even infertility in women and sterility in men

HERPES

• Infection goes within 2-3 weeks, stays in body for life
• Affects both men and women

• Painful blisters, open sores in genital area

• Antiviral drugs

• Virus is never eliminated from body

HIV

• Virus destroys body's ability to fight off infection
• Affects both men and women

• There is a great deal of symptoms once the disease has progressed.
• Initial infection may produce no symptoms

• There is no cure for AIDS. Treatment available will help the quality of life for those who are suffering

• People who have AIDS are susceptible to life-threatening diseases.

PELVIC INFLAMMA -TORY DISEASE

• Affects both men and women

• Abnormal discharge

PUBIC LICE

• Commonly called "Crabs"
• Can also be picked up from bed-linen, clothes or towels, Affects men and women

• Itching of the genitals, light-brown pin-sized insects on the skin or small eggs

• Special creams, shampoos and lotions can be bought or given on prescription

• Can be easily cured

SCABIES

• Will usually begin in folds and crevices of the body
• Affects both men and women

• Itching , red pimply rash, skin may be crusty or scaly

• Prescription cream to be applied at night and washed the next morning

• If treated at home or left symptoms can become much worse

SYPHILIS

• You can have syphilis without even knowing and pass it on to other people
• Affects both men and women

• A painless sore may appear in the genital area which may get bigger
• Flu symptoms may even occur

• Antibiotics - commonly penicillin injections

• Is a serious disease that can be debilitating and even result in death if left untreated