Unit 9

SexuallyTransmittedInfections (STIs)

Objectives

• Define what is meant by sexually transmitted infection (disease) and explain why they have reached epidemic proportions in the US.
• Identify the main high-risk behaviors that increase your risk of acquiring an STI.
• Describe the basic function of your immune system.
• Name the most common types of pathogens and identify which of these can cause an STI.
• Describe symptoms, diagnosis and treatment for the 4 most common bacterially caused and 3 most common virally caused STIs.
• Describe how HIV is transmitted, what stages it progresses through, and how it is diagnosed and treated.
• Explain how you can use preventive strategies to decrease your chance of acquiring HIV or other STIs.

Focus Questions

• What strategies do you employ in your life to decrease or eliminate your risk of contracting a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI)?
• How can an STI affect all dimensions of your health?

Concepts

• “STD”…. “Venereal Disease”
  • Infections contracted through sexual contact with an infected person.
• Over 25 different diseases
• STIs are among the most common contagious diseases in the US
• The epidemic of Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) and Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI).
  • The terms STI and STD can be used interchangeably, and mean the same thing.
• STIs and overall wellness
• The body’s defense system
• Bacterially and virally caused STIs
• HIV/AIDS
  • Symptoms, diagnosis, treatment
    

Readings

Chapter 12

Wellness: Choices for Health and Fitness

Center for Disease Control

Highly recommended reading, as the text book is out of date on this subject. This site offers current and up to date information on HIV/AIDS.

Study Guide

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Introduction

Sexually active individuals today face risks to their health and well being that previous generations seldom had to consider. Now, with the rapid spread of HIV and epidemic incidence of other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), things have changed. As we enter the new century, every sexually active person must be aware of the possibility of contracting a serious illness - one that could lead to sterility, chronic pain and disfigurement, and even death. In this chapter we will find basic answers to questions about STIs, and we will find out if "safe" sex really exists. We will learn more about symptoms, diagnosis and treatment for the most common STIs, including those that are caused by bacteria and those that are caused by viruses. Finally, we will learn how to significantly reduce our risk of becoming infected.