AIDS and HIV - AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.

An HIV-positive person receives an AIDS diagnosis after developing one of the CDC-defined AIDS indicator illnesses. An HIV-positive person can also receive an AIDS diagnosis on the basis of certain blood tests (CD4 counts) and may not have experienced any serious illnesses. A positive HIV test does not mean that a person has AIDS. A diagnosis of AIDS is made by a physician according to the CDC AIDS Case Definition.

Over time, infection with HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) can weaken the immune system to the point that the system has difficulty fighting off certain infections. These types of infections are known as opportunistic infections. Many of the infections that cause problems or that can be life-threatening for people with AIDS are usually controlled by a healthy immune system. The immune system of a person with AIDS has weakened to the point that medical intervention may be necessary to prevent or treat serious illness. For more information, call 1-800-342-2437.

Chancroid - Chancroid is a highly contagious yet curable sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the bacteria Haemophilus Ducreyi [hum-AH-fill-us DOO-cray]. Chancroid causes ulcers, usually of the genitals. Swollen, painful lymph glands, or inguinal buboes [in-GWEEN-al BEW-boes], in the groin area are often associated with chancroid. Left untreated, chancroid may facilitate the transmission of HIV.

Chlamydia - Chlamydia is a curable infection caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis. The bacteria targets the cells of the mucous membrane lining of the eyelid, the surfaces of the urethra, endocervix, endometrium and fallopian tubes. Other sites of chlamydia colonization are the the mucosal surfaces of the rectum and pharynx. Chlamydia is the most common bacterial sexually transmitted disease in the US.

Crabs - Crabs are parasites. Crabs are often referred to as public lice and are not to be confused with body lice. The scientific name for crabs is Pediculus Pubis. Crabs need blood to survive, but they can live up to 24 hours off a human body. Crabs have three very distinct phases.

• The first phase is the egg.
• The second phase is the nit.
• The third phase is called the louse, and is the parasite that causes itching. Louse is the singular for lice (like mouse and mice).

Gonorrhea - Gonorrhea, also known as "the clap," is a curable infection caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoea.

The bacteria infects:

• The urethras of men and women
• A variety of genital glands, such as the Tyson's gland in men and the Bartholin's gland in women
• The uterine cervical canal and tubes
• The epididymis
• The anal and distal rectum
• The conjunctiva in the eye
• The mouth and the pharynx

Hepatitis - Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver that can be caused by a group of viruses. There are five major types of viral hepatitis:

The hepatitis A virus can enter a person's body when he or she eats or drinks something contaminated with the stool or blood of someone who has the disease. Symptoms usually appear suddenly, but are not followed by the chronic problems that hepatitis B and C viruses can cause. The hepatitis B and C viruses can infect a person if his or her mucous membranes or blood are exposed to an infected person's blood, saliva, semen, or vaginal secretions. Symptoms appear more gradually than in hepatitis A. Unlike hepatitis A, the hepatitis B and C viruses can stay in the body-sometimes for a lifetime-and eventually cause chronic, serious liver diseases. When hepatitis viruses damage liver cells, scar tissue is formed and those cells can no longer function. With fewer healthy liver cells, the body begins to show symptoms ranging from mild (such as fatigue) to more severe symptoms (such as mental confusion). Although many cases of hepatitis are not a serious threat to health, the disease can sometimes become chronic (long-lasting) and may lead to liver failure and death. In many cases, viral hepatitis is a self-resolving illness. Sexual activity poses a different level of risk for each type of viral hepatitis, but is most closely associated with HBV. Blood transfusion, IV needle sharing and organ transplants may also pose a risk for transmission. Hepatitis A and B are preventable through vaccination, though no vaccination currently exists for hepatitis C or E. Since hepatitis D only infects persons with active hepatitis B, the vaccine for hepatitis B prevents hepatitis D

Herpes - Herpes simplex is a common and usually mild recurrent skin condition. It can cause "cold sores" or "fever blisters" on the mouth or face--what is called oral herpes. It can also cause similar symptoms in the genital area, which is known as genital herpes.

A virus causes herpes--either herpes simplex type 1 (HSV-1) or herpes simplex type 2 (HSV-2). As with all viruses, there is no cure for herpes. It is different from other common viral infections because once it is introduced it lives in the body over a lifetime, often without symptoms or with periodic symptoms. This is called "latency." The virus can travel the nerve pathways in a part of the body and hide away, sleeping, in the nerve roots for long periods of time. Even though HSV may not cause "cold sores" or genital signs or symptoms at the moment, it can still cause symptoms later. For more information, call (919) 361-8488.

Genital Warts, HPV - There are many different types of genital HPV.

• Only certain types of HPV are linked with cervical cancer. These are usually called "high-risk" types.
• The types of HPV that cause raised external genital warts are not linked with cancer. These are called "low-risk" types.
• These wart-types of HPV usually are not usually found on a female's cervix, and therefore, are not going to carry any risk of cancer.
• It is common for a person to be exposed and have more than one type of HPV, including several "high-risk" types. Yet, most women do not develop cervical cancer.
• Cervical cancer usually takes years to develop.
• The majority of cases of cervical cancer are in women who have either never had a Pap smear, or have not had one in five years or more.
• Cervical cancer can be prevented if a female gets a Pap smear at regular intervals. This way, if abnormal cell changes are found, it can be monitored and / or treated before progressing to cervical cancer.
• Most of the time, men will not have any symptoms or health risks such as cancer with the "high-risk" types of HPV. It is the female's cervix that needs to be monitored.

Molluscum Contagiosum - A skin disease caused by the molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV) usually causing one or more small lesions/bumps. MCV is generally a benign infection and symptoms may self-resolve. MCV was once a disease primarily of children, but it has evolved to become a sexually transmitted disease in adults. It is believed to be a member of the pox virus family.

NGU - NGU (NonGonococcal Urethritis) is an infection of the urethra caused by pathogens (germs) other than gonorrhea.

Several kinds of pathogens can cause NGU, including:

• Chlamydia trachomatis
• Ureaplasma urealyticum
• Trichomonas vaginalis (rare)
• Herpes simplex virus (rare)
• Adenovirus
• Haemophilus vaginalis
• Mycoplasm genitalium

NGU is most often caused by chlamydia, a common infection in men and women. The diagnosis of NGU is more commonly made in men than women, primarily due to anatomical differences.

PID - Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is a serious infection in the upper genital tract/reproductive organs (uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries) of a female. PID can be sexually transmitted or naturally occurring. It can lead to infertility in women (unable to have children) or life-threatening complications.

Scabies - Scabies is a skin disease caused by a parasite. The female parasite burrows under the skin and begins laying eggs within 2-3 hours of infection and generally lays 2-3 eggs daily. The eggs hatch and become adult mites ( a term referring to this parasite) within 10 days.

Syphilis - Syphilis is a curable infection caused by an bacteria called Treponema pallidum. Syphilis has three very distinct phases, each with unique signs.

• The first phase, chancre, is represented by a sore.
• The second phase may include a skin rash, fevers, hair loss, sore throat or other flu-like symptoms; however, many people may not have any of these.
• The third phase, latency, is usually the time when there are no symptoms; however, the bacteria may cause damage to the heart, brain, liver and other internal organs. Syphilis can also be transmitted during pregnancy from a woman to her child.

Vaginitis - Vaginitis is a name for swelling, itching, burning or infection in the vagina that can be caused my several different germs. The most common kinds of vaginitis are bacterial vaginosis (BV) and yeast, a fungus. Sometimes trichomoniasis (trich, pronounced "trick") is called vaginitis too. Trichomoniasis is caused by a parasitic protozoa called Trichomonas vaginalis.