Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)


Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), also called sexually transmitted infections (STIs), are infections that spread primarily through sexual contact. STDs can result from bacteria, viruses, or parasites and can affect various parts of the body, most commonly the reproductive organs, mouth, or rectum. The impact of STDs can range from mild discomfort to serious health complications, including infertility, cancer, and even death. Understanding the types, symptoms, causes, and prevention of STDs is essential for anyone aiming to avoid or treat these infections.

Common STDs:

  1. Bacterial STDs:
    • Gonorrhea: Caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, this bacterial infection affects the mucous membranes of the reproductive organs. Symptoms in men may include a painful or burning sensation when urinating, while women often experience vaginal discharge and pelvic pain. However, many cases are asymptomatic, particularly in women. If untreated, gonorrhea can lead to infertility in both men and women. Antibiotics can treat gonorrhea effectively, but the rise of antibiotic-resistant strains poses a growing challenge.
    • Chlamydia: Caused by Chlamydia trachomatis, chlamydia is one of the most common STDs. It often shows no symptoms, particularly in women, leading to its nickname as the "silent" infection. In men, it may cause discharge from the penis or burning during urination. In women, untreated chlamydia can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), infertility, or chronic pelvic pain. Like gonorrhea, chlamydia is treatable with antibiotics.
    • Syphilis: Treponema pallidum causes syphilis, which can progress through four stages: primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary. Primary syphilis presents with a painless sore or ulcer (chancre) at the infection site, typically in the genital region. If left untreated, it progresses to secondary syphilis, marked by skin rashes and mucous membrane lesions. Tertiary syphilis, which occurs years later, can cause severe complications, including damage to the heart, brain, and other organs.
  2. Viral STDs:
    • Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS): HIV is a virus that targets the immune system, specifically the CD4 cells (T cells), which help the body fight off infections. Without treatment, HIV progresses to AIDS, leaving the body vulnerable to opportunistic infections and cancers. HIV is primarily transmitted through sexual contact, needle sharing, and from mother to child during childbirth or breastfeeding. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is the current treatment for HIV, which helps manage the virus but does not cure it. Early detection and treatment can prevent the progression to AIDS.
    • Genital Herpes: Caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV), genital herpes is a common and highly contagious viral infection. There are two types of HSV: HSV-1, which typically causes oral herpes (cold sores), and HSV-2, which is responsible for genital herpes. Herpes manifests as painful blisters or sores on the genital or anal areas. Even when sores are not visible, the virus can still be transmitted through skin-to-skin contact. There is no cure for herpes, but antiviral medications can reduce the frequency and severity of outbreaks.
    • Human Papillomavirus (HPV): HPV is the most common STD globally and can cause genital warts and various cancers, including cervical cancer. While many HPV infections are asymptomatic and resolve on their own, persistent infections with high-risk strains can lead to cancer. The HPV vaccine provides effective protection against the most dangerous strains of the virus, significantly reducing the risk of cervical and other cancers.
    • Hepatitis B: Hepatitis B is a viral infection that affects the liver. It is transmitted through sexual contact, sharing needles, or exposure to infected blood. Symptoms include jaundice, fatigue, and abdominal pain, although many people with chronic hepatitis B show no symptoms. Chronic hepatitis B can lead to cirrhosis or liver cancer if left untreated. A vaccine is available to prevent hepatitis B.
  3. Parasitic STDs:
    • Trichomoniasis: Caused by the parasite Trichomonas vaginalis, trichomoniasis is a common STD that affects both men and women. Symptoms in women include itching, burning, and vaginal discharge with an unpleasant odor, while men may experience irritation or discharge from the penis. In many cases, the infection is asymptomatic. Trichomoniasis is easily treated with a single dose of antibiotics.

Symptoms of STDs:

While symptoms vary depending on the specific infection, common signs of STDs include:

  • Painful urination.
  • Genital or anal sores, blisters, or warts.
  • Unusual discharge from the penis or vagina.
  • Pelvic pain.
  • Itching or discomfort in the genital area.

Some STDs, such as chlamydia and gonorrhea, are often asymptomatic, particularly in women, which makes regular testing crucial for sexually active individuals.

Transmission of STDs:

STDs are transmitted through vaginal, anal, or oral sexual contact. Some STDs, like HIV and hepatitis B, can also be transmitted through non-sexual means, such as sharing needles or from mother to child during childbirth. The use of condoms can significantly reduce, but not completely eliminate, the risk of transmission.

Prevention of STDs:

  1. Condom Use: Consistent and correct use of condoms during all forms of sexual activity (vaginal, anal, oral) is one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of STDs.
  2. Regular Testing: Routine STD screening is essential for sexually active individuals, particularly those with multiple partners. Early detection can prevent complications and reduce the risk of transmitting the infection to others.
  3. Vaccination: Vaccines are available for some STDs, such as HPV and hepatitis B. Getting vaccinated before becoming sexually active offers the best protection.
  4. Limiting the Number of Sexual Partners: Reducing the number of sexual partners lowers the risk of exposure to STDs.
  5. Abstinence and Monogamy: Complete abstinence from sexual activity or being in a long-term monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested and is uninfected are the most effective ways to avoid STDs.

Treatment of STDs:

  • Bacterial STDs: Gonorrhea, syphilis, and chlamydia can be treated and cured with antibiotics. However, drug-resistant strains of gonorrhea are becoming increasingly common, complicating treatment.
  • Viral STDs: HIV, genital herpes, and HPV cannot be cured, but antiviral medications can manage symptoms and reduce the likelihood of transmission. For HIV, ART can reduce the viral load to undetectable levels, significantly lowering the risk of transmission.
  • Parasitic STDs: Trichomoniasis is treatable with antibiotics.

Long-term Complications of Untreated STDs:

If left untreated, STDs can lead to severe health complications, such as:

  • Infertility: Untreated gonorrhea and chlamydia can cause PID in women, leading to infertility. In men, untreated STDs can result in epididymitis, a condition that affects the testicles and can lead to infertility.
  • Cancer: HPV is associated with cervical, penile, and anal cancers, while chronic hepatitis B can lead to liver cancer.
  • Organ Damage: Syphilis can affect the brain, heart, and other organs in its tertiary stage, leading to life-threatening complications.

Image Reference: A flowchart illustrating the transmission, symptoms, and prevention methods of common STDs.

Questions

Q 1. Veneral diseases can spread through I. Using sterile needles. II. Transfusion of blood from infected person. III. Infected mother to foetus. IV. Kissing. V. Inheritance.Choose the correct answer from the options given below;

(a) I, II and III;

(b) II, III and IV;

(c) II and III;

(d) I and III;

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs); Hepatitis-B transmission; Genital herpes


Questions

Q 1. Which of the following STDs are not curable?;

(a) Genital herpes, hepatitis-B, HIV infection;

(b) Chlamydiasis, Syphilis, genital warts;

(c) HIV, gonorrhoea, trichomoniasis;

(d) Gonorrhoea, trichomoniasis, hepatitis-B;

Syphilis transmission; Genital herpes


Questions

Q 1. Select the option including all sexually transmitted diseases.;

(a) Gonorrhoea, Malaria, Genital herpes;

(b) AIDS, Malaria, Filaria;

(c) Cancer, AIDS, Syphilis;

(d) Gonorrhoea, Syphilis, Genital herpes;

AIDS and its transmission; Hepatitis-B transmission


Questions

Q 1. Which of the following sexually transmitted diseases do not specifically affect reproductive organs?;

(a) Genital warts and Hepatitis-B;

(b) Syphilis and Genital herpes;

(c) AIDS and Hepatitis-B;

(d) Chlamydiasis and AIDS;

Zygote intra-fallopian transfer (ZIFT); Intra-uterine transfer (IUT); Gamete intra-fallopian transfer (GIFT); Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)


Questions

Q 1. In which of the following techniques, the embryos are transferred to assist those females who cannot conceive?;

(a) GIFT and ZIFT;

(b) ICSI and ZIFT;

(c) GIFT and ICSI;

(d) ZIFT and IUT;

Infertility treatments


Questions

Q 1. In case of a couple, where the male is having a very low sperm count, which technique will be suitable for fertilisation?;

(a) Intrauterine Transfer;

(b) Gamete Intracytoplasmic Fallopian Transfer;

(c) Artificial Insemination;

(d) Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection;

Intra-uterine transfer (IUT)


Questions

Q 1. Embryo with more than 16 blastomeres formed due to in vitro fertilisation is transferred into;

(a) uterus;

(b) Fallopian tube;

(c) fimbriae;

(d) cervix;

Gamete intra-fallopian transfer (GIFT)


Questions

Q 1. A childless couple can be assisted to have a child through a technique called GIFT. The full form of this technique is;

(a) Gamete Inseminated Fallopian Transfer;

(b) Gamete Intra Fallopian Transfer;

(c) Gamete Internal Fertilisation and Transfer;

(d) Germ Cell Internal Fallopian Transfer;

Q 2. GIFT is;

(a) Embryo implantation after in vivo fertilization;

(b) Sperm injection for in vivo fertilization;

(c) Embryo implantation after in vitro fertilization;

(d) Egg implantation for in vitro fertilization;

Q 3. The technique called gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) is recommended for those females:;

(a) who cannot produce an ovum;

(b) who cannot retain the foetus inside uterus.;

(c) whose cervical canal is too narrow to allow passage for the sperms;

(d) who cannot provide suitable environment for fertilisation;

In-vitro fertilization (IVF)


Questions

Q 1. Assisted reproductive technology, IVF involves transfer of;

(a) ovum into the Fallopian tube;

(b) zygote into the Fallopian tube;

(c) zygote into the uterus;

(d) embryo with 16 balastomeres into the Fallopian tube;

General concept of reproductive health


Questions

Q 1. Artificial insemination means;

(a) transfer of sperms of a healthy donor to a test-tube containing ova;

(b) transfer of sperms of husband to a test-tube containing ova;

(c) artificial introduction of sperms of a healthy donor into the vagina;

(d) introduction of sperms of healthy donor directly into the ovaryInfertility and Assisted Reproductive Technologies;

Q 2. Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) is considered safe up to how many weeks of pregnancy?;

(d) Six weeks;

(c) Eighteen weeks;

(b) Twelve weeks;

(a) Eight weeks;

Q 3. Certain characteristic demographic features of developing countries are;

(b) high fertility, high density rapidly rising mortality rate and a very young age distribution;

(a) high fertility, low or rapidly falling mortality rate, rapid population growth and a very young age distribution;

(c) high infant mortality, low fertility uneven population growth and a very young age distribution;

(d) high mortality high density uneven population growth and a very old age distribution;

Q 4. Test-tube baby means a baby born when;

(a) the ovum is fertilised externally and there after implanted in the uterus;

(b) it develops from a non-fertilised egg;

(c) it is developed in a test-tube;

(d) it is developed through tissue culture method;

Q 5. Test-tube baby is one who;

(d) has been developed without fertilisation;

(a) is born out of artificial insemination;

(b) has undergone development in a test-tube;

(c) is born out of the technique of fertilisation in vitro;

Q 6. In India, human population is heavily weighed towards the younger age groups as a result of;

(d) long life span of many individuals and high birth rate;

(c) short life span of many individuals and high birth rate;

(b) long life span of many individuals and low birth rate;

(a) short life span of many individuals and low birth rate;

Q 7. Amniocentesis is a process to;

(d) All of the above;

(c) know about the disease of brain;

(b) determine any hereditary disease in the embryo;

(a) determine any disease in heart;

Q 8. Tablets to prevent contraception contain;

(d) Both(b) and(c);

(c) LH;

(b) FSH;

(a) progesterone;

Q 9. Progesterone, which is the most important component of oral contraceptive pils, prevents pregnancy by;

(d) blocking ovulation;

(c) creating unfavourable chemical environment for the sperms to survive in the famale reproductive tract;

(b) preventing the cleavage of the fertilised egg;

(a) preventing the formation of egg;

Q 10. In a population, unrestricted reproductive capacity is called;

(d) birth rate;

(c) carrying capacity;

(b) fertility;

(a) biotic potential;

In-vitro fertilization (IVF); Zygote intra-fallopian transfer (ZIFT)


Questions

Q 1. The test-tube baby programme employs which one of the following techniques?;

(a) Intra cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI);

(b) Intra Uterine Insemination (IUI);

(c) Gamete Intra Fallopian Transfer (GIFT);

(d) Zygote Intra Fallopian Transfer (ZIFT);

In-vitro fertilization (IVF); Zygote intra-fallopian transfer (ZIFT); Intra-uterine transfer (IUT)


Questions

Q 1. In vitro fertilisation is a technique that involves transfer of which one of the following into the Fallopian tube?;

(a) Embryo only, up to 8 cell stage;

(b) Either zygote or early embryo up to 8 cell stage;

(c) Embryo of 32 cell stage;

(d) Zygote only;

Family planning methods


Questions

Q 1. Human population growth in India;

(a) tends to follow a sigmoid curve as in case of many other animal species;

(b) tends to reach zero population growth as in case of some animal species;

(c) can be reduced by permitting natural calamities and enforcing birth control measures;

(d) can be regulated by following the National programme of family planning;

Contraceptive methods


Questions

Q 1. Which of the following is hormone-releasing IUD?;

(a) LNG-20;

(b) Multiload-375;

(c) Lippes loop;

(d) Cu-7;

Q 2. Which of the following contraceptive methods do involve a role of hormone?;

(a) Barrier method, Lactational amenorrhea, Pills;

(b) Cu-T, Pills, Emergency contraceptives;

(c) Pills, Emergency contraceptives, Barrier methods;

(d) Lactational amenorrhea, Pills, Emergency contraceptives;

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs); Importance of sex education


Questions

Q 1. Reproductive health in society can be improved by – 1. Introduction of sex education in schools. 2. Increased medical assistance. 3. Awareness about contraception and STDs. 4. Equal opportunities to male and female child. 5. Ban on aminocentesis. 6. Encouraging myths and misconceptions.;

(a) All of these;

(b) 1, 2, 4 and 6;

(c) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5;

(d) 2 and 5;

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs); AIDS and its transmission


Questions

Q 1. Using which contraceptive also provides protection from contracting STDs and AIDS ?;

(a) Diaphragms;

(b) Spermicidal foams;

(c) Condoms;

(d) Lactational amenorrhoea;

Topics

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs); Hepatitis-B transmission; Genital herpes

Syphilis transmission; Genital herpes

AIDS and its transmission; Hepatitis-B transmission

Zygote intra-fallopian transfer (ZIFT); Intra-uterine transfer (IUT); Gamete intra-fallopian transfer (GIFT); Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)

Infertility treatments

Intra-uterine transfer (IUT)

Gamete intra-fallopian transfer (GIFT)

In-vitro fertilization (IVF)

General concept of reproductive health

In-vitro fertilization (IVF); Zygote intra-fallopian transfer (ZIFT)

In-vitro fertilization (IVF); Zygote intra-fallopian transfer (ZIFT); Intra-uterine transfer (IUT)

Family planning methods

Contraceptive methods

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs); Importance of sex education

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs); AIDS and its transmission

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