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Family Planning: A Global Handbook for Providers

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Family Planning

A GLOBAL HANDBOOK FOR PROVIDERS

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What Causes STIs?

Several types of organisms cause STIs. Those caused by organisms such as bacteria generally can be cured. STIs caused by viruses generally cannot be cured, although they can be treated to relieve symptoms.

STI Type Sexual transmission Nonsexual transmission Curable?
Chancroid Bacterial Vaginal, anal, and oral sex None Yes
Chlamydia Bacterial Vaginal and anal sex
Rarely, from genitals to mouth		 From mother to child during pregnancy Yes
Gonorrhea Bacterial Vaginal and anal sex, or contact between mouth and genitals From mother to child during pregnancy Yes
Hepatitis B Viral Vaginal and anal sex, or from penis to mouth In blood, from mother to child during delivery or in breast milk No
Herpes Viral Genital or oral contact with an ulcer, including vaginal and anal sex; also genital contact in area without ulcer From mother to child during pregnancy or delivery No
HIV Viral Vaginal and anal sex
Very rarely, oral sex		 In blood, from mother to child during pregnancy or delivery or in breast milk No
Human papilloma-virus Viral Skin-to-skin and genital contact or contact between mouth and genitals From mother to child during delivery No
Syphilis Bacterial Genital or oral contact with an ulcer, including vaginal and anal sex From mother to child during pregnancy or delivery Yes
Trichomoniasis Parasite Vaginal, anal, and oral sex From mother to child during delivery Yes

More About HIV and AIDS

  • HIV is the virus that causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). HIV slowly damages the body's immune system, reducing its ability to fight other diseases.
  • People can live with HIV for many years without any signs or symptoms of infection. Eventually, they develop AIDS—the condition when the body's immune system breaks down and is unable to fight certain infections, known as opportunistic infections.
  • There is no cure for HIV infection or AIDS, but antiretroviral (ARV) therapy can slow how the disease progresses, improve the health of those with AIDS, and prolong life. ARVs also can reduce mother-to-child transmission at the time of delivery and during breastfeeding. Opportunistic infections can be treated.
  • Family planning providers can help with prevention and treatment efforts for HIV/AIDS, particularly in countries where many people are infected with HIV, by:
    • Counseling about ways to reduce risk of infection (see Choosing a Dual Protection Strategy).
    • Refer clients for HIV counseling and testing and for HIV care and treatment if the clinic does not offer such services.

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