I. Introducing Sexually Transmitted Diseases (Stds)

Chapter 7 Outline

Reproductive Tract Infections

I. Introducing Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)

Sexually transmitted diseases are a modern epidemic. History, racial and ethnic disparities, social beliefs, and economic costs all affect how STDs affect individuals, the United States, and the world.

A. Historical overview of STDs

B. STD Epidemiology

C. Social and cultural issues

D. Economic costs of STDs

II. The Clinical Dimensions and Treatment of STDs

Although sexually transmitted diseases are all spread in a similar fashion, they are often very different from one another in terms of treatment, course of infection, symptoms, and their ultimate severity.

A. The infection process – STDs can be spread by bacteria, viruses, or

ectoparasites.

B. Gonorrhea – this curable STD is a major cause of infertility and pelvic

inflammatory disease (PID).

1. symptoms

2. treatment

C. Chlamydia – this STD, otherwise similar to gonorrhea, often presents without

symptoms in women.

1. epidemiology

2. screening and treatment

D. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) – this disease develops in women with

untreated bacterial infections of the reproductive tract.

1. causes

2. kinds of PID

3. diagnosis and treatment

E. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) – this virus is usually harmless but can

sometimes cause genital warts or lead to cervical cancer.

1. kinds of HPV

2. genital warts

3. cervical dysplasia

4. treatment and cervical cancer prevention

F. Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) – this incurable viral STD causes painful symptoms that appear and disappear.

1. HSV1 and HSV2

2. symptoms

3. transmission

4. treatment

5. prevention

6. living with herpes

G. Syphilis – this highly infectious, destructive disease is curable with antibiotics.

1. course of infection

2. treatment

H. Hepatitis – there are several kinds of hepatitis, all of which attack the liver.

Hepatitis B, and sometimes A and C, are spread sexually.

1. kinds of hepatitis

2. prevention

III. Vaginitis

Vaginitis refers to a number of mild vaginal infections that can be spread sexually but are often spread through other means.

A. Trichomoniasis

B. Yeast infections

C. Bacterial vaginosis

IV. Informed Decision Making: Reproductive Tract Infections

For women who are sexually active, STD prevention includes sexual behaviors that reduce or eliminate risk of STD transmission, seeing a clinician to be tested, and getting treatment for any existing infections.

A. Prevention

B. Testing

C. Treatment

V. Introducing AIDS

In less than 30 years, AIDS, the disease caused by HIV, has become a national and a global epidemic. In the U.S., women, especially African-American women, are emerging as an especially vulnerable population.

A. AIDS and HIV

B. Historical overview

C. The global perspective

D. U.S. epidemiology

E. Concerns for women

F. Social issues

VI. Clinical Dimensions and Treatment of AIDS

Early diagnosis and treatment can significantly reduce the morbidity and mortality of a person infected with HIV. Without testing, identifiable symptoms can take years to appear.

A. Transmission

B. Testing

C. Symptoms

D. Treatment

VII. Informed Decision Making

As with other STDs, prevention of HIV/AIDS is of paramount importance.