Sexually Transmitted

Infections (STI’s)
Presented by
Theresa Lowry-Lehnen
Nurse Practitioner
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI’s)
• STIs are infections that are passed on from an infected partner(s)
during unprotected sex (vaginal, anal and oral).
• They are caused by specific bacteria and viruses.
• In some cases, you may be at risk even if you don’t have full sex.
Kissing and touching may pass on some STIs.
 Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI’s)
• There are many different STIs and some are more common than others.
• Most can be cured with medication.
• However, some STI’s can only be treated to reduce symptoms and will remain in
the system once a person has been infected.
• Remember, only total abstinence from all sexual contact offers 100% protection
from pregnancy and STIs.
 Types of STI’s
• Chlamydia • Molluscum Contagiosum
• Gonorrhoea • Syphilis
• Genital Warts (Human Papilloma • Scabies
Virus, HPV) • Hepatitis B
• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease • Bacterial Vaginosis
• Pubic Lice (Crabs)
• HIV (Human Immunodeficiency
• Non-specific Infections Virus)
• Thrush (Candida) • Herpes
• Trichomonas Vaginalis (TV) • Hepatitis A
 •
Clamydia •
Symptoms:
Women:
• A bacterial infection. • Abnormal vaginal discharge
• You can pass it on to your sexual partner(s) • Stinging or burning sensation when you pass urine
• It can lead to problems such as pelvic • Bleeding between periods or heavy periods
inflammatory disease and infertility
• Pain or bleeding during or after sex
• You can pass the infection to your baby during
birth • Men:
• It can cause premature labour and low birth • Discharge from penis
weight • Stinging or burning sensation when you pass urine
Causes: • Treatment:
• Intimate genital contact • Antibiotics – for you and your partner(s)
• Unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex • Prevention:
• Infected fingers to eyes
• Protect your sexual health - always use a new
• Unprotected rimming (mouth to anus) condom correctly and put it on before you have
sex
• From a pregnant mother to her baby

Gonorrhoea
A SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTION
WHICH IS INCREASING AMONG YOUNG MEN
AND WOMEN.
• Gonorrhoea is a bacterial infection that can be
treated and cured with specific antibiotics.
• You can have Gonorrhoea and not have any signs
or symptoms.
• You can get Gonorrhoea from unprotected sex,
including oral and anal sex.
• You can protect yourself and your partner by using
condoms every time you have sex, including oral
sex.
• Untreated Gonorrhoea can sometimes cause
serious and permanent health problems in men
and women, including infertility.
• Signs and symptoms of Gonorrhoea
might show between one and 14 days after a
sexual contact, such as:
• Yellowish/greenish-white discharge from the
penis, vagina and/or anus.
• Itching in the penis, vagina and/or anus.
• Burning or pain when urinating/peeing.
• Soreness or redness in the throat.
• Eye infections such as a discharge or
‘red eye’.
• Pain or swelling of the testicles.
• Stomach pains in women.
• You might not have any signs or symptoms.
These signs and symptoms can also
be associated with other STIs or infections.

Genital Warts, (HPV Virus)
• Human Papilloma Virus (HPV).
• Some types of the virus are associated
with cervical cancer in women, so should
be followed up with the doctor for a
smear test
• Causes:
• Direct skin-to-skin contact
• Vaginal, anal or oral sex (protected and
unprotected)
• Symptoms:
• The virus can be in your system for 3 weeks to 8
months (or longer) before you show symptoms
• Warts usually appear as single or more painless,
fleshy growths or lumps in the genital area. They
come in different shapes and sizes
• You may not have visible warts, but can still pass
the virus on to your sexual partner(s)
• Treatment:
• There are a few treatments available, such as
freezing the warts and prescribed creams
• The type of treatment will depend on the size,
location and number of warts (The virus will stay in
your system, so the warts may come back)
• Prevention:
• Don’t have intimate/ unprotected sexual contact.
Using a condom is the best protection against
genital warts but it not 100% effective
 • Causes:
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease • Unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex with an
• Usually a complication of Chlamydia infected person
and gonorrhoea in women but may • Intimate genital contact with an infected
also be caused by bacterial vaginosis person
and other infections. • Symptoms:
• Effects: • Pain in your lower abdomen.
• The infection can spread to the • Pain during sex
reproductive system and surrounding • Abnormal bleeding between periods
area
• Painful periods
• Infertility
• Abnormal vaginal discharge
• Ectopic pregnancy
• Treatment:
• Long term pain • Antibiotics
 • Symptoms:
Pubic Lice • Itching in your pubic hair
• Description: • You may be able to see the lice
• They are tiny insects, like head lice, that live • Treatment:
in pubic or body hair.
• It can be treated with creams and lotions
• Effects: – for you and your partner(s)
• The itching will continue and get worse • You can buy these at a chemist, however,
• You can pass it on to your sexual partner(s) you should also have a full STI check
• Cause: • Prevention:
• Close body contact with an infected person • Don’t have intimate sexual contact
• Rarely, infected bed linen or clothes may • Using condoms may not protect you
pass on the lice against pubic lice
 • Symptoms:
Thrush (Candida) • Genital itching or soreness
Thrush is a yeast infection. Yeast is common around the • Thick vaginal discharge usually with no smells
mouth and genitals, especially the vagina, but does not cause
symptoms until it multiplies. • Discomfort during sex
Thrush is not considered a sexually transmitted • You may have no symptoms
infection, but it can be passed on through sexual contact.
Many people develop thrush for other reasons such as being • Treatment:
on antibiotics or a change in diet • Thrush is treated with anti-fungal creams, vaginal
• Effects: pessaries or prescribed tablets
• You can pass it on to your sexual partner(s) • Avoid using soaps in the genital area
• Symptoms can go away without treatment
• Pregnancy and antibiotics may make it worse
• Cause:
• Prevention:
• Unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex
• Scented products and over washing in the area can be • Don’t use perfumed soaps, sprays or shower gels
associated with candida around your genital area
• Diet • Wear cotton underwear
• Antibiotics • Eat a healthy varied diet
 • Symptoms: Women:
Trichomonas Vaginalis (TV) • Abnormal vaginal discharge
• Vaginal discomfort
• It is a parasitic infection. • Burning or stinging sensation when you pass urine
• Effects: • Offensive smell
• Symptoms: Men:
• You can pass it on to your sexual
• Discharge from penis
partner(s)
• Rash on the penis
• It may cause problems in pregnancy such • Rarely, burning or stinging sensation when you pass
as premature labour and low birth weight urine
• Treatment:
• Cause: • Antibiotics – for you and your partner(s)
• Unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex • Prevention:
• Protect your sexual health - always use a new
• Intimate genital contact condom correctly and put it on before you have sex
Molluscum Contagiosum • Symptoms:
• Description: • Pearly smooth fluid-filled bumps on your
skin
• It is a viral infection caused by the • They are most common in the genital area,
molluscum contagiosum virus. the inner thighs and the lower abdomen
• Effects: • Treatment:
• You can pass it on to your sexual • Freezing the lumps using a special technique
partner(s) • The virus stays in your system so the lumps
may come back
• Cause:
• Prevention:
• Direct skin-to-skin contact • Protect your sexual health - always use a new
• Vaginal, oral or anal sex (protected or condom correctly and put it on before you
unprotected) have sex

Syphilis
• Syphilis is very treatable if diagnosed
early and it is extremely important to
treat all sexual contacts of diagnosed
patients. It is also important to carry out
a full STI screen as many of those
infected are at risk of HIV and other
infections.
• In Ireland, the majority of new syphilis cases
are seen in men who have sex with men
(MSM).
• About a quarter of early syphilis cases also
have HIV. People with syphilis are more
likely to pick up HIV if they come in contact
with it. Furthermore people with HIV are
more likely pass on HIV if they have
syphilis.
• It is a bacterial infection.
• You can pass it on to your sexual partner(s)
• You can pass it on to your baby during pregnancy
• Causes:
• Intimate genital contact
• Unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex
• Unprotected rimming (mouth to anus contact)
• Kissing an infected person
• From an infected pregnant mother to her baby
• Symptoms:
• There are three stages to the infection and the
symptoms are the same for men and women

Syphilis
• Stage 1 – Primary infection, early infection
• Incubation period: 9 to 90 days (Incubation period is the
time between exposure to an infectious disease and the
appearance of the first signs of symptoms)
Symptoms: Usually appear around three weeks after
exposure as a painless ulcer (similar to a cold sore) in the
genital, anal or mouth area
• Stage 2 – Secondary infection, early infection
• Incubation period: 6 weeks to 6 months
Symptoms: Red spotty rash develops, typically on the
palms of your hands and the soles of your feet, but it may
also appear elsewhere on your body
• Stage 3 – Tertiary syphilis
• Incubation period: Can happen months or years after
initial infection
Symptoms: Rare, but there is a possibility of long-term
damage to your heart and brain
• Treatment:
• Antibiotics treatment is very effective
• Your sexual partner(s) also need assessment and
may require treatment
• It is important to abstain from intercourse for at
least 2 weeks after treatment
• Follow-up blood tests to make sure the infection
is responding to treatment
• Those on antibiotic therapy for syphilis must
abstain from sexual contact with new partners
until the syphilis sores are completely healed.
Persons with syphilis must notify their sex
partners so that they also can be tested and if
necessary, receive treatment.
• Prevention:
• Condoms can prevent syphilis. Protect your
sexual health - always use a new condom
correctly and put it on before you have sex
Scabies • Symptoms:
• Itching, especially at night
• A parasitic mite which burrows into the
skin and causes intense itching • Silvery lines on your skin and between
your fingers
• Effects:
• Treatment:
• It spreads and the symptoms get worse
• You can pass it on to your sexual • It can be treated with lotions – for you
partner(s) and your partner(s)
• Cause: • Prevention:
• Close body contact with an infected • Avoid skin-to-skin contact with an
person infected person
• Rarely, infected bed linen or clothes may
transmit the mite
Non Specific Infections
• These are groups of infections caused by
various bacteria.
• Cause:
• Intimate genital contact
• Unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex
• Infected fingers to eyes
• Unprotected rimming (mouth to anus
contact)
• From an infected pregnant mother to her
baby
• Or the cause may be unknown
• Symptoms:
• Women:
• Abnormal vaginal discharge
• Vulva irritation
• Stinging or burning sensation when you pass urine
• Men:
• Discharge from penis
• Stinging or burning sensation when you pass urine
• Treatment:
• Antibiotics – for you and your partner(s)
• Prevention:
• Protect your sexual health - always use a new condom
correctly and put it on before you have sex
 • Symptoms:
Hepatitis B • Flu-like symptoms
• A viral infection that affects the liver and blood. • Fever
• Effects: • Jaundice (yellow colouring of the eyes and skin)
• Long term complications can include liver failure and • Nausea
cirrhosis of the liver
• Tiredness
• Increased risk of miscarriage or prematurelabour
• Treatment:
• You can pass it on to your baby during pregnancy
• You may need medical/hospital treatment(s)
• Cause:
• Through blood and other body fluids
• You should stop or reduce the amount of alcohol
you drink to reduce further strain on your liver
• Unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex
• Prevention:
• From an infected mother to baby during pregnancy
• Get a Hepatitis B vaccination free from your
• Sharing drug using equipment with an infected person GUM/STI clinic
• Tattoos, acupuncture and piercings with non-sterilised • Don’t share needles with drug users
equipment
• Protect your sexual health - always use a new
condom correctly and put it on before you have sex
 • Symptoms:
Bacterial Vaginosis • No symptoms in most cases
• It is a condition caused by the overgrowth of • Abnormal vaginal discharge and smell
normal vaginal bacteria.
• Genital itching
• Effects:
• It can cause problems in pregnancy such as
• Treatment:
premature labour and low birth weight • Antibiotics
• It can contribute to pelvic inflammatory disease • Prevention:
especially if a contraceptive coil is in place
• It is likely to come back in about one-fifth
• Cause: of cases, especially after your period or after
• Exact cause is not known sex
• It affects women with many sexual partners and • Don’t use harsh soaps, antiseptics and sprays
new sexual partners in the vaginal area, as they can disrupt your
• It may be triggered by sexual intercourse or a vagina’s normal balance
period
 • Symptoms:
HIV • There are usually no obvious symptoms in
• It is a virus called the Human Immunodeficiency the early years
Virus.
• Treatment:
• Passed to sexual partner(s) and can infect a baby
during pregnancy and birth • Prescribed HIV medication
• May get AIDS (Acquired Immuno-deficiency
Syndrome). This happens when the virus breaks down • Prevention:
your immune system until it gets to a stage when you
cannot fight certain infections • Don’t have intimate sexual contact
• Cause: • Protect your sexual health - always use a new
• Unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex condom correctly and put it on before you
• From a HIV positive mother to her baby during have sex
pregnancy, at birth or in breast milk
• Sharing drug using equipment with an infected person
• Don’t share needles
• Some people have acquired HIV through infected • If you are pregnant or planning pregnancy,
blood or blood products have a HIV test

Herpes
• A virus caused by the Herpes Simplex
Virus (HSV). There are two types, HSV
1 and HSV 2.
• Cause:
• Direct skin-to-skin contact
• Unprotected vagina, anal or oral sex
• Unprotected rimming (mouth to anus)
• From a pregnant mother to her baby
•
Symptoms:
• Most people who carry the virus have no symptoms
• During an outbreak you may have:
• Flu-like symptoms
• Painful blisters or ulcers on your external genitals and
rectum
• A burning sensation when you pass urine
• Treatment:
• Prescribed medication can reduce discomfort during an
outbreak.
• The virus will stay in your system, so you may have
further outbreaks.
• These outbreaks are usually less severe
• Prevention:
• Don’t have sex while you or your partner(s) has an
outbreak
• Protect your sexual health - always use a new condom
correctly and put it on before you have sex
 • Symptoms:
Hepatitis A • Flu-like symptoms
• A viral infection that affects the liver and • Jaundice (yellow colouring of the eyes and
blood. skin)

• Effects: • Nausea
• Tiredness
• You can pass it on to your sexual
partner(s) • Treatment:
• You may need medical/hospital treatment
• Cause:
• Prevention:
• Unprotected rimming (mouth to anus
• Get a Hepatitis A vaccination
contact)
• Protect your sexual health - always use a new
• Through contaminated food or water condom correctly and put it on before you
have sex
 Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI’s)
• Get advice from your doctor, a family planning clinic, an STI clinic or genito-urinary medicine
(GUM) clinic if you are worried about STIs or are sexually active and notice any of the
following symptoms:
• Unusual discharge from penis or vagina
• Pain when passing urine
• Unusual sores or blisters in the genital area
• Itching or irritation in the genital area
• Pain during sex
• Once diagnosed, most STIs can be cured with medication. However, some of them can only be
treated to reduce symptoms but will stay in your system once you have been infected. It is
important to get treatment early, as some can cause long term effects.
 Links – STI Information & Services
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bazh6p5rOFM

• http://thinkcontraception.ie/STIs/What-happens-at-an-STI-
clinic.117.1.aspx

• http://thinkcontraception.ie/Services-Information/Find-a-
Service.152.1.aspx