Overview of Common STIs and Their Effects
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Gideon BarwonOverview of Common STIs and Their Effects
Uploaded by
Gideon BarwonST.
GABRIEL CATHOLIC HIGH
SCHOOL
Parker corner, Brewerville city
Montserrado County Republic of Liberia
PRESENTATION
Sexually Transmitted Infections
(STIs)
Submitted to: Gideon W. Barwon
Submitted by: Group 1 Members.
Course: Biology Lab
Name of Group 1 Members.
1. Joy-Divine H. Davies -- Head
2. Desimon Simon
3. Samo S. Johnson
4. Princess L. Howard
5. Janet Caranda
6. Cynthia [Link]
7. Blessing Davies
Outline of Presentation
Gonorrhea Definition
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Causes
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Role of transmission
Syphilis Role of exist
Genital Herpes Role of entry
Chlamydia Effects on Human body &
GONORRHEA
• Definition: Gonorrhea is a highly common bacterial STI caused by the bacterium
• Neisseria gonorrhea. It infects the mucous membranes of the reproductive tract, including the cervix, uterus, and fallopian
tubes in women, and the urethra in men. It can also infect the rectum, throat, and eyes.
• Cause: The bacterium Neisseria gonorrhea.
• Role of Transmission: Primarily through vaginal, anal, or oral sexual contact. It is easily transmitted as it thrives in warm,
moist environments.
• Role of Exit: The bacteria exit the infected host in bodily secretions (pus-like or watery discharge) from the penis, vagina,
rectum, or throat.
• Role of Entry: The bacteria enter the body through contact with the mucous membranes of the genitals, anus, mouth, or
eyes of the uninfected partner.
• Effects on Human Body:
• Men: Painful urination, white/yellow/green penile discharge
• , swollen testicles (epididymitis), which can lead to infertility if untreated.
• * Women: Often asymptomatic, but may include increased vaginal discharge, painful urination, and bleeding between
periods. If untreated, it is a major cause of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), leading to chronic pelvic pain, ectopic
pregnancy, and permanent infertility.
• * Both: Rectal pain/discharge, throat infection (sore throat), and in rare cases, Disseminated Gonococcal Infection (DGI),
which involves joint pain, arthritis, and skin lesions. Can cause blindness in newborns (Neonatal Conjunctivitis).
Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
• Definition: HPV is the most common viral STI, comprising over 200 related viruses. It is the primary cause of
genital warts and nearly all cases of cervical cancer.
• Cause: The Human Papillomavirus (HPV).
• Role of Transmission: Through skin-to-skin contact in the genital area during vaginal, anal, or oral sex.
Penetration is not required.
• Role of Exit: The virus is shed directly from the infected skin cells or mucosal surfaces (genitals, anus, mouth)
of the infected person.
• Role of Entry: The virus enters the body through micro-abrasions in the skin or mucous membranes of the
uninfected partner's genitals, anus, or mouth.
• Effects on Human Body:
• Asymptomatic Infection: Most infections are transient and cleared by the immune system without causing
symptoms.
• Low-Risk Types (e.g., HPV-6, 11): Cause genital warts , which are soft, flesh-colored bumps that can appear
on or around the genitals and anus.
• High-Risk Types (e.g., HPV-16, 18): Can lead to the development of cancers, including cervical, anal, vulvar,
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
• Definition: HIV is a viral infection that attacks the body's immune system, specifically the CD4 T-cells, which are
essential for fighting off infection. Untreated HIV progresses to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
• Cause: The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
• Role of Transmission: Through contact with specific bodily fluids from an infected person: blood, semen, pre-seminal
fluid, rectal fluids, vaginal fluids, and breast milk.
• Role of Exit: The virus leaves the infected person primarily through the listed bodily fluids.
• Role of Entry: The virus enters the bloodstream of the uninfected person, typically through the mucous membranes
(rectum, vagina, mouth) during sex, sharing of contaminated needles for injection drug use, or from mother to child
during pregnancy, birth, or breastfeeding.
• Effects on Human Body:
• Acute Infection (Stage 1): Flu-like symptoms (fever, fatigue, rash) Within 2-4 weeks of infection.
• * Chronic/Clinical Latency (Stage 2): The virus is active but reproduces at low levels; may be asymptomatic for many
years.
• * AIDS (Stage 3): The immune system is severely compromised (CD4 count below 200 or the presence of opportunistic
illnesses). The body can no longer fight common infections (e.g., Pneumocystis pneumonia, Kaposi's sarcoma).
• * Treatment: Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) suppresses the virus, allowing people with HIV to live long, healthy lives, and
achieve an undetectable viral load (U=U), preventing sexual transmission.
Syphilis
Definition: Syphilis is a complex bacterial infection that develops in distinct stages, potentially leading to severe, life-
threatening complications if left untreated. It has been called "the great imitator" because its symptoms resemble those of
many other diseases.
Cause: The bacterium Treponema pallidum (a spirochete).
Role of Transmission: Primarily through direct contact with a syphilitic sore (chancre) during vaginal, anal, or oral sex.
Role of Exit: The bacteria are highly concentrated in the fluid from the chancre (sore) or the rash of secondary syphilis.
Role of Entry: The bacteria burrow into the moist mucous membranes or broken skin at the site of sexual contact
(genitals, rectum, mouth).
Effects on Human Body (Staged Progression):
Primary: Appearance of a single, painless, firm, round sore (chancre) at the site of infection. It heals on its own, but
the infection remains.
* Secondary: A non-itchy rash, often on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet, fever, and swollen lymph nodes.
* Tertiary: Occurs years later; can cause major damage to the brain, heart, blood vessels, and nervous system
(Neurosyphilis).
• Congenital Syphilis: Transmission from mother to baby during pregnancy, leading to miscarriage, stillbirth, or severe
birth defects.
Prevention: Condom use (reduces risk, but not fully protective if the chancre is outside the condom's coverage area),
Genital Herpes
• Definition: Genital Herpes is an incurable, chronic viral infection characterized by recurring outbreaks of painful sores
and blisters.
• Cause: Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), usually Type 2 (HSV-2) but increasingly Type 1 (HSV-1, which typically causes
oral cold sores).
• Role of Transmission: Through skin-to-skin contact with the infected area, primarily during sexual activity.
Transmission is possible during an outbreak or when no symptoms are present (asymptomatic viral shedding).
• Role of Exit: The virus sheds from the skin or mucous membranes of the genital, anal, or mouth area, even when sores
are healed.
• Role of Entry: The virus enters through breaks in the skin or mucous membranes of the uninfected partner.
• Effects on Human Body:
• Outbreaks: Clusters of small, painful, fluid-filled blisters that break open to form ulcers, eventually crusting over and
healing.
• Latency: The virus travels up nerve pathways and remains dormant in nerve cells, reactivating due to stress, illness, or
friction.
• Complications: Can increase the risk of acquiring HIV due to open sores. Neonatal herpes (transmission to a baby
during delivery) is rare but potentially fatal.
• Prevention: Condom use (less effective than for fluid-borne STIs), avoiding sex during an outbreak, and daily antiviral
medication (suppressive therapy) for the infected partner to reduce the frequency of outbreaks and the risk of
transmission.
Chlamydia
Definition: Chlamydia is a very common bacterial STI that can cause serious, permanent damage to a woman's
reproductive system, often without causing any noticeable symptoms.
Cause: The bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis.
Role of Transmission: Primarily spread through vaginal, anal, or oral sex.
Role of Exit: The bacteria are found in the secretions (discharge) from the cervix, urethra, and rectum.
Role of Entry: The bacteria enter the body via contact with the mucous membranes of the genitals, anus, or mouth.
Effects on Human Body:
Asymptomatic: Up to 70% of women and many men have no symptoms, allowing the infection to spread
unknowingly.
Women: Can cause abnormal vaginal discharge and painful urination. Untreated infection ascends to cause Pelvic
Inflammatory Disease (PID), leading to chronic pain, fallopian tube scarring, and a high risk of ectopic pregnancy
and infertility.
Men: Urethral discharge (white or watery) and painful urination (urethritis). Can lead to painful swelling of the
testicles (epididymitis).
Both: Rectal infection (pain, discharge), throat infection, and Reactive Arthritis (a rare joint inflammation). Can
cause pneumonia and severe eye infection in newborns.