Disease | Symptoms |
Incuba-
tion |
Cause | Trans-
mission | Treat-
ment | Prognosis |
| | Caution:
Almost all of the symptoms of AIDS are very general and could be signs of many
other conditions. If you are concerned about any of these symptoms, please call
an AIDS Hotline for additional information.
W&M: Rapid, unexplained weight loss,
newly active TB, persistent, dry cough, night sweats, persistent diarrhea, swollen
lymph glands, yeast in mouth, unexplained short term memory loss, colored patched,
lumps in mouth, on skin.
W: Common first symptoms: Recurrent PID, yeast, certain
pre-cancers of the cervix. | HIV
virus 3-6 months; AIDS 2-10 years, average 5-7. | Human
Immuno-deficiency Virus | Sexual
activities that exchange body fluids. Blood contact, e.g., injection drug use
with shared needles. Infected mother to newborn. | No
known cure; AZT can slow infection for many people. Various treatments for other
illnesses due to suppressed immune system. | Serious
illness; death. |
| | W:
Vaginal discharge, odor, itching, burning.
M: No symptoms. | Unknown | Interaction
of several bacteria | Usually
vaginal intercourse,
However BV can occur in women who abstain. | Oral
antibiotics. | Seriousness
unknown; may play role in post-partum infection / PID. |
CHLAMYDIA | W:
Vaginal discharge, irregular bleeding, irritation in urethra, PID symptoms; 2/3
have no symptoms.
M: Penile discharge, itching, burning; 1/3 have no symptoms. | 7-21
Days | Chlamydia
trachomatis bacteria | Vaginal,
anal intercourse. | Oral
antibiotics; treat partners, use condom. | PID
for women; sterility. Epididymitis / prostatis / arthritis for men. |
CRABS
Pubic
Lice | W&M:
Itching, irritation in pubic region. Can often see louse in underwear or on body
– about the size of a pinhead. Lice eggs take 1 week to hatch, 2 weeks to
mature. | Louse
transmitted directly | Phthirus
pubis, parasitic louse | Usually
sexual intercourse, close body contact. Non-sexual transmission common; sharing
infected bedding, towels, clothes. | Topical
lotion / shampoo; Launder all infected objects. | None
serious; itching can continue after treatment. |
GONORRHEA | W:
Vaginal discharge, irregular bleeding, PID symptoms; 25-50% have no symptoms.
M: Penile, anal discharge, burning, itching, 5-10% have no symptoms. | 2-7
Days | Neisseria
gonorrhea bacteria | Vaginal,
anal intercourse; Oral-genital (throat infections for receiver of penis). | Oral
antibiotics; treat partners, use condom. | PID
for women; sterility. Epididymitis / prostatis / arthritis for men. |
HERPES | W&M:
Before outbreak: itching, tingling, sensitivity in area, flu-like symptoms. Outbreak:
Blister type sore breaks open to leave raw, painful area, scabs over. Occurs on
mouth, penis, labia, vagina, cervix, and anus. Estimated that 2/3 herpes cases
may be transmitted unknowingly during incubation, due to misdiagnosis, atypical
symptoms, shedding of virus when some sores not present, visible. | 5-21
Days | Herpes
Simplex I & II (HSV)
| Vaginal,
anal intercourse. Oral-oral contact; oral-genital-anal contact. Actively infected
mother to newborn. | No
known cure; oral acyclovir used to suppress frequent outbreaks. If sores are anal
or if acyclovir does not control recurrences, get HIV test. | Serious
only for pregnant women; if first outbreak while pregnant, can cause premature
delivery; recurrence during delivery; can infect newborn. |
MOLLUSCUM CONTAGIOSUM | W&M:
Small, shiny bumps with a core, usually appear around genitals, thighs, buttocks
and lower abdomen. | Several
weeks | Virus | Sexual
intercourse. Non-sexual transmission common: close contact. | Liquid
nitrogen or removal of core with sterile needle. | None
serious, but often hard to get rid of. |
NGUNon-
Gonococcal
Urethritis | M:
Same as chlamydia, gonorrhea. | 7-21
Days | Usually
chlamydia | Vaginal,
anal intercourse. | Oral
antibiotics, treat partners, use condoms. | See
chlamydia / gonorrhea. |
PIDPelvic
Inflammatory
Disease | W:
Abdominal pain, discharge, fever, nausea, irregular bleeding. Estimated 50% may
be asymptomatic. | Depends
on infecting organism | Usually
chlamydia or gonorrhea | Vaginal
intercourse. | Oral
antibiotics; no sexual activity; treat partners. If recurs frequently, get HIV
test. | Increased
risk tubal pregnancy, infertility, chronic pelvic pain. |
SCABIES | W&M:
Severe itching, red rash. | Several
days to weeks | Sarcopties
scabiei, "itch mite" | Sexual
intercourse. Non-sexual transmission common: close contact, sharing bedding, towels,
clothing. | Topical
lotion / shampoo; Launder all infected objects. | None
serious, but itching can be severe. |
SYPHILIS | W&M:
Disease has three stages: 1st – Single, painless sore, crater-like
with smooth, rounded edges. 2nd – Skin rash on back, stomach,
hands, feet; flat, warty growths. 3rd – Severe damage to tissue,
brain, nervous system. | 10-90
Days; average 20-25 days | Treponema
pallidum bacteria | Vaginal,
anal intercourse. Oral-genital contact. Infected mother to newborn. | Penicillin
by injection; always have HIV test. | Serious
for 30% who advance to stage 3; degeneration of major body systems, death; untreated
pregnant women pass to newborn. |
TRICHO-
MONAS | W:
Vaginal discharge, burning, itching, odor. M:
Penile discharge, burning, but rarely has symptoms. | About
7 days | Trichomonas
vaginalis protozoa | Vaginal,
anal intercourse. | Oral
antibiotics. | None
serious. |
WARTS | W&M:
Florid (visible) warts range from small slightly raised bumps to larger, rough-textured
bumps. Flat (non-visible) warts create changes in cell structure that can be seen
only with certain clinical tests. May itch. Occur on penis, labia, vagina, cervix,
anus. Estimated 40-60% warts are flat type, showing no symptoms. | 3
weeks to 8 months average, but can be up to 18-20 months. | Human
Papilloma Virus (HPV) | Vaginal,
anal intercourse. Actively infected mother to trachea of newborn. | No
known cure for virus – warts do recur; specific wart infections can be treated
by various methods depending on site and type of wart. If warts are anal, get
HIV test. | Certain
strains may increase risk of cervical cancer in women; not known if increase cancer
risk for men. |
CandidaMonilia | W:
White, clumpy vaginal discharge, itching, burning and inflammation. M:
Rash, irritation on penis from contact with partner’s discharge. | N/A | Overgrowth
of yeast in vagina. | Partners
do not become infected, just affected by symptoms. | Vaginal
creams; if treatment does not control, have HIV test. | None
serious. |
