STI Information
STI stands for Sexually Transmitted Infection.
In the list below, we have divided the most common STIs into Bacterial STIs, Viral STIs and Parasites. For each, we have included information about transmission, symptoms, testing and treatment.
Although this site is intended primarily for gay men, we have also included information that is relevant for men who are not exclusively gay, that is, who may also enjoy sexual activities with women.
Please remember that this information is not intended to replace the advice of a medical professional. If you suspect that you may have contracted an STI, we encourage you to contact your doctor or clinic to ensure that you can be properly diagnosed and treated.
Note that a person can be infected with an STI without having any symptoms.
Bacterial STIs
Bacterial infections generally respond to treatment with antibiotics and
can be cleared from the body. It is increasingly common to encounter bacteria
that have become resistant to common antibiotics and need to be treated
with stronger versions.
Chlamydia
is actually a group of different infections caused by various strains
of related bacteria. While chlamydia pneumoniae can cause a type of pneumonia,
and chlamydia psittaci can cause another type of pneumonia (related to
bird exposure), it is chlamydia trachomatis that is responsible for a
multitude of sexually transmitted disease symptoms. Chlamydia is one of
the most common STIs.
Transmission: Chlamydia may be spread during
sexual intercourse via the exchange of bodily fluids through mucous membranes
in the anus, mouth, and genital areas. This means that chlamydia is primarily
spread through unprotected penetration (anal or vaginal) and/or oral sex
(fellatio or cunnilingus - infrequent). It can also be transmitted from
a woman to her fetus during birth.
Symptoms: 40-70% of infected individuals do
not experience symptoms. Symptoms may also be intermittent (come and go),
which may also stop an individual from seeking treatment. Symptoms include
painful urination and discharge.
Testing: A test for chlamydia involves taking
a swab of the affected area and growing a culture in a lab to confirm
its identity, or a urine sample.
Treatment: Chlamydia is generally treated with
antibiotics in a single dose or multiple doses, depending on the antibiotic
chosen.
Gonorrhea
(“the clap”) caused by the bacteria neisseria gonorrhea
Transmission: Gonorrhea may be spread during
sexual activity via the exchange of bodily fluids through mucous membranes
in the anus, mouth, and genital areas. This means that gonorrhea is primarily
spread through unprotected penetration (anal or vaginal) and/or oral sex
(fellatio).
Symptoms: 50% of persons with gonorrhea may
show no symptoms. Men are more likely than women to show signs of infection.
When present, the early symptoms of gonorrhea are often mild. Symptoms
usually appear within two to 10 days after sexual contact with an infected
partner. A small number of people may be infected for several months without
showing symptoms - the asymptomatic infection. Because symptoms are not
always present, you may be infected with gonorrhea and not know it. Despite
the lack of symptoms, the infection can still be transmitted. Symptoms
include sore throat (oral infection), painful urination and discharge.
Testing: A test for gonorrhea involves taking
a swab of the affected area and growing a culture in a lab to confirm
its identity.
Treatment: Gonorrhea is generally treated with
a single dose of an antibiotic.
LGV
(lymphogranuloma venereum) is an STI caused by the bacteria chlamydia
trachomatis. There are several different types of chlamydia trachomatis,
with the majority of infectious sub-types only capable of inducing a superficial
infection of the skin. The more virulent sub-types L1-L3 are capable of
provoking a much more serious infection including generalized symptoms
and associated genital ulcerations.
Transmission: This infection is transmitted
via sexual relations with an individual infected and in the contagious
phase of lymphogranuloma venereum. Sexual contact includes genital-genital,
genital-oral and/or genital-anal relations. Penetration is not required
for disease transmission.
Symptoms: This infection is frequently divided
into three stages:
First Stage: Subsequent to the incubation period, a small non-painful
papule (pimple) appears and evolves over several days into a superficial
ulcer (open wound). In the majority of individuals infected this stage
passes unnoticed given its rapid healing (and this, even without treatment).
Second Stage: 2 to 4 weeks after the primary lesion has healed, LGV passes
into the second stage of infection with the development of swollen inguinal
(groin region) lymph nodes (the activity centers of your immune system).
These lymph nodes (on the same side as the initial pimple and ulcer) become
swollen and are generally quite painful. There is quite often an associated
redness over the region of the swollen lymph nodes. At times, these nodes
may actually open up to the outside of the skin and drain a creamy white
puss. The second stage may also be accompanied by generalized symptoms
including fever, fatigue, headaches, nausea and vomiting and occasional
limb pains (arms and legs).
Third Stage: If treatment is not initiated, these ulcerations or open
sores can become badly scarred causing significant obstruction of the
lymphatic vessels (the conduits that remove and transport excess body
fluids). This latter complication can result in the disorder known as
elephantiasis, wherein extremely abnormal and excessive swelling of the
genitals occurs. Generalized symptoms, similar to those described in the
second stage can also occur in the third stage.
Testing: There is no specific test for LGV.
It is diagnosed by a doctor based on symptoms.
Treatment: The treatment of choice for LGV remains
antibiotics taken orally for a period of three weeks or more.
Shigellosis
is a type of gastroenteritis caused by bacteria called Shigella. Illness occurs 1 to 3 days after a person has been infected with the bacteria. It usually lasts 4 to 7 days.
Transmission: The bacteria multiply only in the intestine. It is found in large numbers in the stool of infected people, especially if they have diarrhoea. Shigellosis is very easy to spread because even a tiny quantity of bacteria can cause the disease. The bacteria is spread through the fecal-oral route: when the mouth comes into contact with surfaces or objects contaminated with the bacteria, when a person eats food or drinks water contaminated with the bacteria, when there is sexual contact with an infected person (contact of the mouth with the anus or with a part of the body that has come into contact with the anal area). Contamination is usually through invisible bacteria on hands that have had contact with the anal area.
Prevention: The best way to prevent Shigella infection is good hygiene (e.g.: hand washing) and to follow good food handling and preparation practices. It is recommended that people who have sex involving contact between the mouth and the anus use dental dams (a square of latex) as a barrier against the infection. Observe good hygiene methods; it is especially important to wash hands, genitals and sex toys after having sexual relations.
Symptoms: High fever (30% to 40% of people who are infected), nausea, vomiting (35% of people who are infected), abdominal cramps (70% to 93% of people who are infected), diarrhoea. Diarrhoea can contain blood (35% to 55% of cases), contain mucous (70% to 85% of cases), be very liquid (30% to 40% of cases). Symptoms usually develop within 1 - 3 days of exposure.
Testing: If you have any of the symptoms of Shigellosis, you should see your doctor. Testing is done by a stool sample ordered by a doctor.
Treatment: Shigellosis is treated with antibiotics. With treatment, symptoms last for a shorter time period and the bacteria are eliminated from the intestines. However, the bacteria are resistant to some antibiotics, which is why it is important to get a stool culture done to identify the right treatment. Shigellosis can sometimes be less serious and some people recover without treatment. Someone who is infected and not treated can spread the infection for a period of up to four weeks, even after symptoms have stopped.
Syphilis
is an STI caused by the bacteria treponema pallidum. It is one of the
less common STIs, but has been increasing in a number of European and
North American cities, particularly among gay men.
Transmission: Syphilis is transmitted via sexual
relations with a partner who is both infected and contagious. Sexual relations
at risk include genital, oral and /or anal contact, and this with or without
penetration.
Symptoms: The incubation period (time between
contact and the appearance of the first symptoms) varies somewhat between
10 and 90 days. Symptoms of syphilis may pass unrecognized, or may be
misinterpreted. At times there are no initial symptoms at all. When present,
the classical symptoms of syphilis manifest themselves in three stages
as follows:
Primary syphilis
Approximately three to four weeks after sexual contact with an infected,
contagious partner, a chancre (a superficial skin ulcer with well-defined
edges and an inflamed base up to 1 cm in diameter) may appear at the site
of the microbe’s entry. The chancre is typically painless (this
is in contrast with genital herpes which causes painful ulcers). There
may be associated swollen lymph nodes (small painless lumps that are centres
of immune system activity) in the inguinal region (groin). It is by contact
with such a syphilitic chancre that the infection is transmitted. This
initial chancre routinely heals itself spontaneously within three to eight
weeks.
Secondary syphilis
If syphilis is left untreated, the infection will evolve and manifest
itself, several weeks after the primary stage, with a skin and mucus membrane
eruption (rash), fever, fatigue, headaches and muscular aches and pains.
Once again, if left untreated, these symptoms will resolve on their own,
but the infectious microbe remains behind. It is at this point that syphilis
passes into its latent phase. This "silent period" may last
for many years and permits the infection to evolve without any obvious
external symptoms. At this point, the only method of detecting the presence
of syphilis is via a blood test specific for syphilis.
Tertiary syphilis
After many years, even as long as ten to thirty years, syphilis may progress
to the point where it may result in serious organ system complications
including skin, bone and vital nervous system or cardiovascular system
manifestations.
Testing: Syphilis is diagnosed with a blood
test.
Treatment: Syphilis responds very well to treatment
with antibiotics. Once treated, your physician will schedule you for periodic
blood tests (approximately every 6 months) over two years in order that
your cure may be confirmed.
Viral STIs
Viral infections are treated with antiviral medications. While many of
these infections are not curable, it is sometimes possible for strains
of hepatitis to be cleared by the body with or without treatment.
Condyloma
/ HPV (human papilloma virus) is also known as genital warts
and is caused by the human papilloma virus
Transmission: Typically, the virus (HPV) is
transmitted or contracted through direct genital to genital contact with
a partner infected by HPV, and this with or without penetration. Frequently,
lesions may go unnoticed given their small size early on in their development.
At times lesions may be present only on the internal skin surfaces of
the genital organs (i.e. rectum, vagina or cervix). Transmission may also
occur via contact with infected genital secretions.
Symptoms: At the beginning of an infection,
or after transmission, the virus typically invades the skin without any
apparent symptoms. The usual incubation period for genital warts is in
the order of one to eight months, however, much longer incubation periods
have been reported and are probably not that unusual (HPV may even remain
dormant for years). Given the extremely variable incubation period, it
is difficult to determine the time of infection. An infection by HPV is
detected when the virus stimulates the growth of the skin into small outgrowths
or warts localized to the genital organs, anus and peri-anal region (around
the anus), in the rectum and, very rarely, in the mouth. Condyloma of
the mouth are much more frequent in patients who have underlying problems
with their immune system (cancer, leukemia, or advanced HIV infection).
The shape and colour of HPV warts vary greatly according to their location,
the strain of virus and your own skin type. Lesions may resemble small
lumps or bumps, flat plaques, irregular or unusual outgrowths that may
at times resemble a cauliflower. Lesions may be pink, red, grey, brown
or simply skin color. Patients often mistake condyloma for ingrown hairs
or "beauty marks". If you notice the appearance of a new or
changing skin lesion in your genital region, consult your doctor. Condylomata
are not usually painful – unless they have been manipulated or have
become infected. They may be accompanied by symptoms of irritation or
itchiness, and this most commonly when they are in their growth phase.
Only infrequently will condyloma bleed. At times, condyloma (HPV) will
infect the skin and never develop into visible lesions.
Testing: Condyloma is diagnosed by observation
by a doctor.
Treatment: There is no one treatment that is
able to completely eradicate an infection by HPV. A number of different
treatments are used, with the goal of reducing the number of lesions.
These include liquid nitrogen or a number of different chemical products
applied directly to the lesions or, in extreme cases, surgical excision.
Follow-up is important, as HPV infection may lead to a number of different
forms of anal or cervical cancer.
Herpes
Herpes viruses are very common in our society and are responsible for
many types of diseases i.e. chickenpox or varicella and mononucleosis
are caused by viruses belonging to the herpes virus family. Genital herpes
is caused by a virus of which there are two types; Herpes Simplex 1 and
Herpes Simplex 2. Herpes infects the nerve responsible for sensation in
the region afflicted. It is able to house itself in the center (ganglion)
of the infected nerve and sleep (latent phase). When it wakes up (recurrence)
it replicates or reproduces and travels down the nerve to the skin where
the virus creates the damage evidenced by blisters, sores and wounds.
Transmission: Herpes may be transmitted through
simple skin-to-skin contact (genital to genital) or through contact with
contaminated genital secretions. This implies a risk associated with sexual
penetration; vaginal, anal or oral as well as direct contact without penetration.
After exposure to the virus, a 2 to 20 day incubation period ensues followed
by the primary genital herpes outbreak. Unfortunately, approximately half
or 50 % of individuals infected will not develop symptoms and thus remain
unaware of their herpes status.
The greatest risk of transmitting or acquiring genital herpes is when
you or your infected partner are suffering from an outbreak. It is felt
that this increased risk period likely includes the 12 to 24 hours prior
to the visual appearance of skin lesions (when the virus is reproducing
in the nerve cells). Many individuals who experience recurrences of their
genital herpes are able to identify the imminent onset of an outbreak
because of their "prodrome". A prodrome may include odd neural
sensations such as localized itching, burning, tingling or numbness, and
this in the region where the lesions tend to occur. High risk begins at
this point and persists until the lesions have "crusted over",
meaning that there are scabs on the surface. The risk of transmission
is diminished in the absence of lesions, although is not considered to
be "no risk". In the past it was believed that if there were
no skin lesions, then there was no risk. Studies have documented that
individuals infected with genital herpes may in fact occasionally excrete
herpes virus from the nerve and through the skin, and this even in the
absence of an episode. Rates of asymptomatic excretion vary greatly from
one person to another, and from one study to another. It is felt that
there is approximately one day in ten when such excretion occurs...obviously
it is impossible to know which day (outside of research techniques). This
is typically frustrating for patients and couples living with herpes
Symptoms: A very important point when discussing
the symptoms of herpes is that genital herpes comprises a vast spectrum
of disease. This means that it may present very differently from one person
to the next and even from one episode to another in the same individual.
One can describe a "classical" or "typical" herpes
outbreak as such: an initial tingling or prodromal sensation in the region
affected, followed by the appearance of a slight redness and/or swelling
at the site. This is rapidly (hours to days) followed by the development
of small clustered vesicles (fluid-filled blisters) that are quite fragile,
quickly breaking open to expose small punctate (punched-out appearance)
ulcers or sores. These sores are sensitive or painful to touch. Within
days these sores crust over via the development of a scab and then skin
healing ensues. From beginning to end, a recurrence may last anywhere
from a couple of days to a couple of weeks. On average, most recurrences
of genital herpes last 5-7 days.
Testing: Herpes is diagnosed by observation
by a doctor.
Treatment: There is no cure for Herpes, but
there are a number of antiviral medications that may help to decrease
the severity or duration of a Herpes outbreak or to suppress viral reproduction
and prevent outbreaks.
HIV (Human
immunodeficiency virus) infects the immune system and uses it to reproduce
itself.
Transmission: For transmission to take place there must
be a sufficient quantity of the virus present and an entry point into
the body. HIV may be present in sufficient quantity for transmission in
blood, semen, vaginal secretions and mother's milk. Entry points into
the body include especially mucous membranes which may be easily irritated
or ruptured (i.e. anal or vaginal walls).
It may be easier to explain risks of transmission within a hierarchy of
risk activities, expressed as follows:
No Risk: casual contact, kissing without the exchange of saliva, mutual
masturbation without using vaginal secretions or sperm as lubricant, massage
and body contact, without exchange of body fluids.
Very Low Risk: kissing with saliva exchange (deep or French kissing),
oral-genital sexual relations (fellatio or cunnilingus) without ejaculation
or swallowing sperm or vaginal secretions.
Low Risk: oral-genital sexual relations (fellatio or cunnilingus) with
ejaculation and/or ingestion of sperm or vaginal secretions (including
menstrual flow), vaginal or anal penetration with condom
High Risk: penile penetration into the vagina or anus without condom,
sharing of sexual toys or objects contaminated with sperm, blood or vaginal
secretions, sharing needles, syringes, or other drug paraphernalia used
in the preparation or injection of drugs
Symptoms: In the weeks subsequent to the entry of HIV
into the body, approximately 30% of infected individuals will experience
symptoms similar to the flu (influenza) or mononucleosis (fever, headaches,
sore throat, skin rash, fatigue, muscular aches and pains, etc.). These
symptoms resolve spontaneously with time and the infection then progresses
into its second stage. All infected individuals (even those who do not
suffer initial symptoms) will develop antibodies against the HIV virus.
The presence of detectable antibodies occurs between three weeks and three
months. The virus can lives in the body for several years (5-7 years on
average, with a great deal of individual variability) without manifesting
its presence – this may be termed a latent phase. During this latent
phase, there are two more stages; asymptomatic stage 2 (HIV-positive with
no HIV related symptoms or problems) and symptomatic stage 3 (HIV-positive
with one or more HIV related symptoms. Most patients in stage 2 asymptomatic
infection feel well and have no physical complaints pertaining to virus.
The infection passes into the fourth stage when the patient begins to
suffer symptoms related to viral progression. Symptoms may include fever,
nocturnal sweats, weight loss, swollen and/or sensitive lymph nodes, chronic
diarrhea, skin rashes, etc.) Eventually, when the immune system has been
severely compromised or damaged, the infection enters into its fourth
phase which is AIDS (Pneumocystis Carinii pneumonia, the invasion of the
digestive system by mushrooms/yeast, Kaposi’s sarcoma [blue or brown
cutaneous cancerous nodules], lymphoma [lymph node cancer], neurological
manifestations, etc.). It is to be noted that treatment may delay the
onset of AIDS for many years.
Testing: The only way to definitively confirm the presence
of an infection by HIV is to undertake a confirmatory blood test. Patients
with classical symptoms and a high-risk profile may be suspected of having
HIV/AIDS, yet still require confirmation via two separate HIV blood tests.
Test results may take weeks to be available because of the nature of the
confirmatory tests. Rapid testing may be available through a medical professional,
but this is not typically covered by the RAMQ (Québec medicare).
Confirmatory testing is still recommended.
Treatment: There is no cure for HIV. There are a variety
of antiretroviral medications available, generally prescribed in combinations
of at least 3 medications from at least 2 different classes. These may
succeed in controlling HIV replication, allowing the immune system to
maintain or rebuild itself, and allowing the person living with HIV infection
to lead a relatively normal life. It should be noted that many of these
available medications have serious side effects that may be experienced
by those taking them.
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is available for individuals who may have
been exposed to HIV. This consists of one month of HIV treatment as described
above, begun within hours or up to 2 - 3 days of exposure to the virus.
PEP may prevent HIV infection from taking hold in the body.
Viral Hepatitis
Viral hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver caused by a virus. There
exist at least five types of viral hepatitis that are well known. Their
symptoms resemble one another, however, their mode of transmission and
their evolution within the human organism vary considerably. The most
common types (A, B and C) are discussed below.
Hepatitis
A
Transmission: Hepatitis A is primarily transmitted via
the fecal-oral route (i.e. from the anus to the mouth - for example when
hands are not washed after a bowel movement), by human contact, by uncooked
foods (shellfish, fruits and vegetables) and by contaminated water. Hepatitis
A is also transmitted by oral-anal sexual contact ("rimming").
Symptoms: The majority of individuals infected by the
Hepatitis A virus have symptoms that may resemble the flu (influenza -
fatigue, fever and headaches, etc.), while others may experience abdominal
cramps and pains, diarrhea and jaundice (the skin and whites of the eyes
develop a yellowish color). Symptoms of Hepatitis A typically commence
approximately one month after the virus has penetrated the organism (this
is the incubation period). Hepatitis A causes inflammation, symptoms and
then is completely cured by the immune system - no chance of long-term
infection. A natural infection by the Hepatitis A virus confers life-long
immunity; antibodies (one of the defence mechanisms of the immune system)
specific to Hepatitis A prevent re-infection. In addition to jaundice,
your urine may turn dark with bile and the stool (feces) light or clay-coloured
from lack of bile. Hepatitis A usually takes 2 months to resolve completely.
While the outcome of Hepatitis A is typically favourable, the occasional
patient will die from an acute Hepatitis A infection. Patients are usually
considered infectious for a week after jaundice has been noticed.
Testing: A patient suffering from the classical symptoms
of hepatitis; jaundice, nausea, diarrhea and fatigue will be suspected
of having hepatitis. A thorough history by your doctor may help to pinpoint
the type of virus involved. The only method available to diagnose, identify
and type hepatitis is a blood test.
Treatment: Hepatitis A will resolve spontaneously without
treatment. Supportive measures may be prescribed to help relieve your
symptoms while your body and immune system gets rid of the virus. A preventive
vaccine for Hepatitis A is available; it is also available in combination
with a vaccination for Hepatitis B.
Hepatitis
B
Transmission: Hepatitis B is primarily transmitted
via unprotected sexual relations (including oral sex and penetration,
whether vaginal or anal), the sharing of contaminated syringes, blood
and/or infected biological liquids.
Symptoms: In contrast to Hepatitis A, many patients
infected by Hepatitis B are unaware of their infection (no symptoms) and
manage to cure it completely. Those individuals symptomatic from their
infection suffer from symptoms similar to those described for Hepatitis
A above. Symptoms typically commence from one to three months subsequent
to penetration of the organism by the virus. It is estimated that approximately
10% of adults with an acute Hepatitis B infection will develop chronic
longstanding liver inflammation that may lead to long-term complications
including cirrhosis and/or liver cancer (hepatoma). Some patients will
not completely eliminate the Hepatitis B virus and will become carriers
of this infection. This means that they may have at all times a small
amount of virus in their blood and body fluids. These "carriers"
may transmit the infection despite the fact that they are not ill from
the virus.
Testing: A patient suffering from the classical
symptoms of hepatitis; jaundice, nausea, diarrhea and fatigue will be
suspected of having hepatitis. A thorough history by your doctor may help
to pinpoint the type of virus involved. The only method available to diagnose,
identify and type hepatitis is a blood test.
Treatment: There are two types of treatment
against Hepatitis B (interferon and lamivudine) that are effective in
approximately 35% to 40% of patients treated, rarely providing a cure
but allowing for a better control of the infection and a slowing down
of the speed at which the virus damages the liver. A preventive vaccine
for Hepatitis B is available; it is also available in combination with
a vaccination for Hepatitis A.
Hepatitis
C
Transmission: Hepatitis C virus is transmitted
via blood-borne contacts (the sharing of contaminated syringes, blood
transfusions, infected re-usable tattoo needles and non-sterilized body
piercing instruments). The risk of contracting Hepatitis C from sexual
relations is quite rare, although sexual infection rates as high as 10%
have been documented among men who have sex with men.
Symptoms: In contrast to Hepatitis A, many patients
infected by Hepatitis C are unaware of their infection (no symptoms) and
manage to cure it completely. Those individuals symptomatic from their
infection suffer from symptoms similar to those described for Hepatitis
A above. Symptoms typically commence from one to three months subsequent
to penetration of the organism by the virus. It is estimated that approximately
80% of adults infected with Hepatitis C infection will develop chronic
longstanding liver inflammation that may lead to long-term complications
including cirrhosis and/or liver cancer (hepatoma). Some patients will
not completely eliminate the Hepatitis C virus and will become carriers
of this infection. This means that they may have at all times a small
amount of virus in their blood and body fluids. These "carriers"
may transmit the infection despite the fact that they are not ill from
the virus.
Testing: A patient suffering from the classical
symptoms of hepatitis; jaundice, nausea, diarrhea and fatigue will be
suspected of having hepatitis. A thorough history by your doctor may help
to pinpoint the type of virus involved. The only method available to diagnose,
identify and type hepatitis is a blood test.
Treatment: When addressing the issue of the
treatment of Hepatitis C infection, a combination of two antiviral medications
(interferon and ribavarin) prescribed over a period of 6 to 12 months
appears to be quite effective. The actual treatment duration is determined
based on the type of Hepatitis C present (genotype), the degree of liver
involvement and the initial response to therapy. Current treatment regimens
can provide a cure in about 50% of patients.
Crabs
(pubic lice) have a particular preference for pubic
hairs, but may also be found attached to the short hairs in other body
regions (the anus, armpits, beard, eyebrow and eyelashes). They are cousins
of head lice.
Transmission: This infection is primarily transmitted through sexual relations
with an infected partner – penetration is not required for transmission.
Oral sex with a contaminated partner can lead to infestation of the eyebrows,
eyelashes and/or scalp hair. Transmission may also occur via simple (non-sexual)
contact with an infected individual or via indirect contact with contaminated
objects (including clothing, bedding, towels and/or toiletries, etc.)
This particular parasite can survive away from the human body (the host)
for periods of up to 24 hours.
Symptoms: Symptoms commence approximately 2-3
weeks after contamination. The symptoms of crabs are primarily dermatological:
localized itchiness (pruritus) of the affected regions, whether in the
genital or other hirsute (hairy) skin zones. At times a patient may observe
tiny blood stains in their underwear – this may signal the presence
of the parasite before the itchiness begins. Itchiness is caused by the
penetration of the local skin by the bug – in order that its eggs
may be laid (small red spots). Minute pale brown insects or their pale
whitish eggs may be visible if you look closely enough.
Testing: Pubic lice are diagnosed by observation
by a doctor.
Treatment: There are effective lotions, creams
and shampoos that your physician may prescribe or that are available without
prescription from your pharmacist (follow the instructions carefully).
It is important to change into clean clothes immediately after your treatment
in order to avoid recontamination. Contaminated clothing, bedding and
towels/toiletries must be washed for at least 20 minutes at 55 degrees
Celsius. This is crucial in preventing recontamination! It is often recommended
to repeat the treatment 7 days after the initial product application.
This is to ensure that treatment resistant eggs laid on the day of application
be destroyed upon hatching – and thereby avoid a second cycle of
infection. No product is 100 % effective at eliminating non-hatched eggs.
It is not necessary to shave all body hair! Several aerosol products are
available and may be used to treat contaminated objects that are not amenable
to washing in hot water (sofas, carpets, mattresses and toiletry articles,
etc.).
Scabies
is caused by an acarian parasite or mite that is invisible to the naked
eye – sarcoptes scabei. This bug lives and feeds in the superficial
layer of the skin, where it burrows around and lays its eggs.
Transmission: Scabies are transmitted in a fashion
similar to crabs – frequently as a sexually transmitted infection
(penetration is not required). In addition, this infection can spread
readily and rapidly in closed environments (where there is close and/or
prolonged contact) such as daycare centers, schools and nursing homes.
Symptoms: Once the several week incubation period
is complete, intense itchiness may manifest itself diffusely (usually
begins in the body’s folds; armpits, buttocks, groin, etc.). This
itchiness is typically worse at night. Minute burrows several millimetres
long (corresponding to the migration of the parasite under the skin’s
surface) appear between the fingers, on the wrists and ankles. Papules
(pimples and bumps) may appear in the region of the armpits, the breasts,
buttocks and genital organs. This latter manifestation is caused by an
allergic reaction to eggs laid by the parasite.
Testing: Scabies is diagnosed by observation
by a doctor.
Treatment: There are effective lotions, creams
and shampoos that your physician may prescribe or that are available without
prescription from your pharmacist (follow the instructions carefully).
It is important to change into clean clothes immediately after your treatment
in order to avoid recontamination. Contaminated clothing, bedding and
towels/toiletries must be washed for at least 20 minutes at 55 degrees
Celsius. This is crucial in preventing recontamination! It is often recommended
to repeat the treatment 7 days after the initial product application.
This is to ensure that treatment resistant eggs laid on the day of application
be destroyed upon hatching – and thereby avoid a second cycle of
infection. No product is 100 % effective at eliminating non-hatched eggs.
It is not necessary to shave all body hair! Several aerosol products are
available and may be used to treat contaminated objects that are not amenable
to washing in hot water (sofas, carpets, mattresses and toiletry articles,
etc.).