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Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

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The most common sexually transmitted infection in the U.S is Human Papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is often asymptomatic and benign. However, it can lead to serious complications. It can cause genital warts, bumps in the genital area that can vary in size and are often painful and itchy. Furthermore, HPV can cause several cancers such as cervical, oropharyngeal, or cancers of the genitals (vulva, vagina, or penis). These cancers often don’t appear for years after contraction of the virus. HPV is spread through sexual/skin to skin contact (vaginal, anal, or oral) with an infected person, regardless if the person is symptomatic. Both females and males can carry the disease. Most symptoms associated with HPV affect both men and women, such as genital …show more content…

Often chlamydia will remain asymptomatic. Only an average of 10% of men and 5-30% of women develop symptoms. The most common symptom in women is cervicitis (inflammation of the cervix) or urethritis (inflammation of the urethra). If left untreated the infection can spread to the uterus or fallopian tubes, possibly resulting in pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Pelvic inflammatory disease can damage the reproductive tract and cause infertility issues. In pregnant women, this STD can increase the chance of premature birth and complications such as pneumonia in the baby. Symptomatic men most often experience urethritis, and sometimes epididymitis, an inflammation of a tube near the testicles responsible for storing sperm. Both men and women can experience rectal pain or discharge. Lastly, both men and women can develop reactive arthritis that is accompanied by urethritis and conjunctivitis (pinkeye); combining to create “Reiter’s Syndrome.” Chlamydia can be transmitted via contact with infected persons’ penis, vagina, anus, or mouth. Alternately, it can be spread from a pregnant woman to her baby during birth. The systems at risk of being affected by chlamydia are the reproductive systems of both men and women (reproductive tract, epididymis), urinary system (urethra), and even skeleton system as with reactive arthritis. Chlamydia can be readily cured with antibiotics. Any damage done by the disease, such as damage contracted during a bout of pelvic inflammatory disease, will remain after treatment. Anyone who has contracted chlamydia before should aim to prevent recurring infections, as multiple infections can increase the risk for complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease or ectopic

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