sexually transmitted
infections (STI’s)
Lesson Objectives
•Describe the symptoms of common STI’s
and to understand how to protect against
them
•To produce a presentation using
information from the last two lessons
about risks young people face.
Can you think of any STIs?
Thrush
Hepatitis
Chlamydia
HIV
Herpes
AIDS
Gonorrhoea
Genital Warts
Syphilis
What are STIs?
Infections passed from person to person
through sexual contact
– Some can be cured e.g. Chlamydia
– Some more serious diseases cannot e.g.
AIDS
– There are over 25 different known STIs!
Protection against STIs
•
Abstinence
– The only sure way not to catch an STI
•
Use a condom during sexual activity
– Prevents the transmission of bodily fluid
– Only protects the skin it covers, sores/warts not covered
can still spread through skin contact
•
Have regular check ups at the local family planning or GUM
(Genito urinary medicine) clinic
– Even if you do not think you have an infection –
remember many infections do not appear to have
symptoms!
STI statistics for England, Wales and Northern
Ireland
1995-2003
Year
Syphilis
Gonorrhoea
Chlamydia
Herpes
Warts
1995
136
10,186
30,794
15,645
55,608
1996
122
12,140
34,136
15,915
59,216
1997
151
12,656
40,583
15,766
63,554
1998
132
12,829
46,155
16,421
64,925
1999
215
15,974
53,783
16,581
66,439
2000
327
21,131
64,800
16,944
66,144
2001
736
22,997
71,967
17,876
68,019
2002
1232
25,065
82,558
18,432
69,569
2003
1580
24,157
89,431
17,932
70,665
Is this what real love looks like?
Chlamydia – the facts
Caused by Bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis
Incidence
The most commonly diagnosed STI in the UK
Symptoms
• Women – vaginal discharge, abdominal pain,
pain on passing urine
• Men – discharge from the penis, testicular
inflammation, irritation of the penis
Transmission
• Via vaginal, anal and oral sex
Chlamydia trachomatis
Herpes Simplex Virus
Genital Herpes
Caused by Herpes Simplex Virus
Incidence
Increased by 33% between 1997 – 2006 in the UK
Symptoms
• Symptoms can occur 26 days after exposure
and include
– itching/tingling in the genital or anal area
– small fluid-filled blisters and painful sores
– pain when passing urine
– a flu-like illness
Transmission
• Skin to skin contact
Genital warts
Causes
Warts are caused by a virus and are
spread through skin-to-skin contact.
They can be passed on during vaginal,
anal or oral sex
Symptoms
•You might notice small, fleshy growths,
bumps anywhere in the genital or anal
area.
•itch and cause inflammation
Gonorrhoea
Caused by Bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Incidence
Increased by 46% between 1997 and 2006 in the
UK
Symptoms
• About half of all women infected with
gonorrhoea, and over 90% of men experience
symptoms
• Can affect the genitals, anus, rectum and
throat with symptoms including
– a thin, watery discharge from the vagina
or tip of the penis that can appear yellow
or green, and pain when urinating
Transmission
• Sexual intercourse
Thrush
Caused by Fungus of the species Candida
Incidence
Increased by 46% between 1997 and 2006
Symptoms
• Women
– vaginal discharge and or itching
– pain, or discomfort, during sexual intercourse
– pain, or discomfort, during urination
• Men
– Discharge from and inflammation of the penis
– Pain while passing urine
– Small red spots on the tip of the penis
Pubic lice
Pubic lice are tiny insects that live in the pubic hair
region or under the arms.
Pubic lice are usually acquired through sexual contact
but can occasionally be transferred by close physical
contact or by sharing sheets or towels.
Special shampoo or lotion can treat the lice
STI Misconceptions
If I only engage in oral sex, I can't contract a sexually transmitted infection
The Truth
STIs can be transmitted through oral sex, vaginal sex, anal sex
If I have an STI, I will recognize the symptoms immediately
The Truth
In most women (and some men), there are often virtually NO symptoms of
STIs. Not only can a partner not tell if a woman or man has an STI, the
person with the STI often does not know.
I am not promiscuous and neither are the people I hang out with…it's
unlikely that the people I would sleep with would be carrying something
The Truth
Contracting STIs has nothing to do with cleanliness or grooming. Contracting
an STI has everything to do with being intimate with someone who is already
infected.
The more partners you have or have had, the greater your chances of having an
STI. The more partners your partner has or has had, the greater your
partner's chances of having a STI.
A role play example
• Patient 1: Comes to the doctor with discharge and
pain when urinating
• Doctor: Well that sounds like you have a sexually
transmitted infection. Are you sexually active?
• Patient 1: Yes and I did have sex without a condom
• Doctor: Well many sexually transmitted infections
have similar symptoms – burning when urinating and
discharge – so we’ll have to figure out what you might
have…
• The rest of the class must diagnose and offer test and
treatment
Role play example
• Patient 2: Comes to the doctor with itching
and a rash
• Doctor: Well that sounds like you have a
sexually transmitted infection. Are you
sexually active?
• Patient 2: Yes and I did have sex without a
condom
• Doctor: Well many sexually transmitted
infections have similar symptoms – itching and
a rash – so we’ll have to figure out what you
might have…
Impact of STIs
• Working in pairs, ask students to think about the
impact of STIs on the individual, the family and the
community.
Quick Quiz
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Name 3 STIs
Name 2 places you can be treated for STIs
What is the most common STI in Britain?
Name 3 ways to stop yourself getting an STI?
Name 3 common symptoms of STIs
Name 2 STIs that can have no symptoms
Match up the STI with the statements
1. Chlamydia
2. Genital
Warts
3. Herpes
4. Gonorrhoea
5. Syphilis
6. Pubic Lice
• Causes a rash
• 5 out of 6 cases have no
symptoms
• Also known as crabs
• May go away untreated after 6
months
• Most common STI in young men
and women
• Has 2 types – one affecting the
mouth and one affecting the
genitals
Answers
1. Chlamydia
2. Genital
Warts
3. Herpes
4. Gonorrhoea
5. Syphilis
6. Pubic Lice
• Causes a rash (5)
• 5 out of 6 cases have no symptoms
(4)
• Also known as crabs (6)
• May go away untreated after 6
months (2)
• Most common STI in young men
and women (1)
• Has 2 types – one affecting the
mouth and one affecting the
genitals (3)
Your task
• To produce a presentation about the risks young
people take. This presentation must include
information on where young people can get advice.
Your Presentation must include information on the
following
• Drugs – risks, impact on the individual, family and
community, treatments.
• Alcohol – risks, effects, where to go for help.
• Unsafe sex - risks, effects, where to go for help