PREVENTION,

DETECTION, and
TREATMENT of
Diseases of the
Reproductive System
STD (Sexually Transmitted Disease)
• STDs are infections that are passed from one person to another
during vaginal, anal, and oral sex.
• STD caused by bacteria:
* Syphilis
*Gonorrhea
• STD caused by virus:
*Genital herpes
*AIDS
 Syphilis
• is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by an
infection with bacteria known as Treponema pallidum. It is
transmitted by direct contact with a syphilitic sore on the
skin, and in mucous membranes.
• It is most likely to spread during oral, anal, or vaginal sexual
activity. Rarely, it can be passed on through kissing.
 SYMPTOMS
• one or many painless, firm, and round
syphilitic sores called chancres. These
appear about 3 weeks after exposure.
• a skin rash that typically does not
itch and may easily be mistaken
for rashes caused by other
illnesses
• Symptoms that can result from the
late stage of syphilis include
problems with movement, gradual
loss of sight, dementia, paralysis,
and numbness.
PREVENTION
• abstaining from sex
• long-term mutual monogamy with an
uninfected partner
• condom use, although these protect only
against genital sores and not those on the
body
• use of a dental dam, or plastic square, during
oral sex
• not sharing sex toys
• avoiding alcohol and drugs that could
potentially lead to unsafe sexual practices
 DETECTION TREATMENT

• Blood tests • Penicillin is the treatment of choice

for syphilis in all stages. One
• Bodily fluid intramuscular injection of long-
acting benzathine penicillin G (2.4
• Cerebrospinal fluid million units) is sufficient for a
person who has primary,
secondary, or early latent syphilis.
 Gonorrhea
• Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease (STD). It’s caused by infection
with the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. It tends to infect warm, moist
areas of the body, including the:
• urethra (the tube that drains urine from the urinary bladder)
• eyes
• throat
• vagina
• anus
• female reproductive tract (the fallopian tubes, cervix, and uterus)
 SYMPTOMS
• Men: • Women:
• greater frequency or urgency of urination • Symptoms include:
• a pus-like discharge (or drip) from the penis • discharge from the vagina (watery, creamy, or
(white, yellow, beige, or greenish) slightly green)
• pain or burning sensation while urinating
• swelling or redness at the opening of the penis
• the need to urinate more frequently
• swelling or pain in the testicles
• heavier periods or spotting
• a persistent sore throat
• sore throat
• pain upon engaging in sexual intercourse
• sharp pain in the lower abdomen
PREVENTION • fever
*Avoiding sexual activity
*Having sex only with one uninfected
person
*Consistently using male latex condoms
during sexual activity
 DETECTION TREATMENT
• They can take a sample of fluid • Gonorrhea is usually treated with
from the symptomatic area with a an antibiotic injection of
swab (penis, vagina, rectum, or Ceftriaxone one time to the
throat) and place it on a glass buttocks or a single dose of 
slide. If your doctor suspects a Azithromycin by mouth.
joint or blood infection.
• he or she will obtain the sample
by drawing blood or inserting a
needle into the symptomatic joint
to withdraw fluid. 
 Genital Herpes
• Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease (STD). This
STD causes herpetic sores, which are painful blisters (fluid-filled
bumps) that can break open and ooze fluid.
• HSV spreads from person to person through kissing and skin-
to-skin contact, as well as through vaginal, oral or anal
intercourse. 
 SYMPTOMS PREVENTION
• Itching, burning, soreness and small • You should always follow safer
blisters in the genital or anal area sexual practices. 
• Small ulcers (skin sores) when the
blisters break • Limit your number of sexual
• Local pain if urine touches the genital partners. 
ulcers • Always use condoms unless you
• Enlarged or painful lymph nodes are in a monogamous
(swollen glands) in the groin relationship with an uninfected
• Headache, fever, muscle aches and a person.
generally sick feeling
 DETECTION TREATMENT

• Your doctor can typically diagnose • Antiviral drugs may help speed up

a herpes infection by a visual the healing time of your sores and
examination of the herpes sores. A reduce pain. Medications may be
blood test can diagnose herpes taken at the first signs of an
simplex virus before you outbreak (tingling, itching, and
experience an outbreak.  other symptoms) to reduce the
symptoms.
 AIDS

•AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency
syndrome) is a syndrome caused by a virus
called HIV (human immunodeficiency virus).
The disease alters the immune system,
making people much more vulnerable to
infections and diseases. This susceptibility
worsens as the syndrome progresses.
 SYMPTOMS
• Rapid weight loss or “wasting”
• Extreme fatigue
• Recurring fevers and night sweats
• Prolonged gland swelling
• Prolonged diarrhea
• Sores in the mouth, genitals or anus
• Pneumonia
• Skin blotches
• Depression, memory loss and other
neurological effects
PREVENTION
• Knowing yours and your partners’ HIV
status
• Using latex condoms correctly during
every sexual encounter, whether gay or
straight
• Limiting the number of sexual partners
• Abstaining from injectable drug use
• Seeking medical treatment immediately
after suspected HIV exposure, since
medications can sometimes prevent
infection if started early
 DETECTION
• ELISA, or enzyme-linked
immunosorbent assay, which
detects disease-fighting
proteins called antibodies that
are specific to HIV; and
• Western blot, which detects
antibodies that bind to specific
HIV proteins
TREATMENT
• If an individual believes they have been
exposed to the virus within the last 72 hours (3
days), anti-HIV medications, called PEP (post-
exposure prophylaxis) may stop infection. The
treatment should be taken as soon as possible
after contact with the virus.
• PEP is a very demanding treatment lasting 4
weeks, a total of 28 days. It can be associated
with unpleasant side effects (diarrhea, nausea,
and headache).