STIs 3: Common STIs/RTIs

Common STIs/RTIs

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Call Out Any individual can become infected with a sexually transmitted infection (STI) or reproductive tract infection (RTI), regardless of age, background, or socioeconomic class. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that there are more than 340 million new cases of curable STIs each year, and UNAIDS calculates that in the year 2000 alone, 5.3 million people became infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). RTIs that are not sexually transmitted are even more common.

The STIs/RTIs that providers are most likely to encounter during client visits include the following (click on the links below for more information):

	Bacterial vaginosis (BV): An RTI in women that is caused by an upset of the vagina’s normal environment and overgrowth of bacteria in the vagina Chancroid: An STI that causes lymph node swelling and painful ulcers in the genital area Chlamydia: An STI in both men and women that is often asymptomatic Genital herpes: An STI that causes painful genital ulcers Genital warts (HPV): Bumps in the genital area caused by some forms of HPV (human papillomavirus). Other forms of HPV can lead to cervical cancer.	Gonorrhea: An STI that can cause infertility in both men and women Hepatitis B: A virus that can cause liver damage, and possibly even liver failure Hepatitis C: A virus that can cause liver damage, and possibly even liver failure HIV infection: A retrovirus that weakens the immune system and causes AIDS Syphilis: An STI that initially causes sores that will heal on their own but, if left untreated, can cause serious complications or even death Trichomonas infection: An STI in both men and women that is often asymptomatic Vaginal yeast infection: An RTI in women that occurs when the normal environment in the vagina changes
	Note: Nongonococcal urethritis (NGU) is a term used to describe discharge from the penis that is not due to gonorrhea. It is usually caused by chlamydia and sometimes by trichomonas infection. Less common STIs/RTIs include:
	Cytomegalovirus (CMV): A common virus (a member of the herpes family of viruses) that can cause serious infections in people with compromised immune systems. It can be transmitted sexually. Donovanosis: An STI that can cause serious ulcers at the site of infection. These ulcers can grow together and cause permanent scarring and genital destruction.	Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV): An STI that causes inflammation of and prevents drainage of the lymph nodes in the genital area. LGV can cause destruction and scarring of surrounding tissue. Molluscum contagiosum: An STI that causes relatively benign skin infections. Molluscum contagiosum can lead to secondary bacterial infections.

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