Bacterial STDs — Revision Notes

⚡ 30-Second Revision

Syphilis: — *Treponema pallidum*. Primary: Painless chancre. Secondary: Rash (palms/soles). Tertiary: Organ damage. Curable with Penicillin G.
Gonorrhea: — *Neisseria gonorrhoeae*. Discharge, painful urination. Often asymptomatic in women. Complication: PID. Curable with Ceftriaxone + Azithromycin.
Chlamydia: — *Chlamydia trachomatis* (obligate intracellular). Most common bacterial STD. Often asymptomatic. Complication: PID, infertility. Curable with Azithromycin/Doxycycline.
Chancroid: — *Haemophilus ducreyi*. Painful genital ulcers, buboes. Curable with Azithromycin/Ceftriaxone.
Bacterial Vaginosis (BV): — Imbalance of vaginal flora. Fishy odor, discharge. Not strictly STD, but associated. Treat with Metronidazole/Clindamycin.
Key Prevention: — Consistent condom use, screening.
Key Distinction: — Bacterial STDs are curable; Viral STDs are not.

2-Minute Revision

Bacterial Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) are infections caused by specific bacteria, primarily spread through sexual contact. Unlike viral STDs, they are generally curable with antibiotics. Key bacterial STDs for NEET include Syphilis, Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, and Chancroid.

Syphilis, caused by *Treponema pallidum*, progresses through stages: a painless chancre (primary), a widespread rash (secondary), a latent phase, and potentially severe organ damage (tertiary). It's treated with penicillin.

Gonorrhea (*Neisseria gonorrhoeae*) and Chlamydia (*Chlamydia trachomatis*) are very common, often asymptomatic, especially in women. They cause symptoms like discharge and painful urination when present. A major complication of untreated gonorrhea and chlamydia in women is Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), leading to infertility. Both are treated with specific antibiotics (e.g., ceftriaxone + azithromycin for gonorrhea; azithromycin/doxycycline for chlamydia).

Chancroid (*Haemophilus ducreyi*) is characterized by painful genital ulcers and swollen lymph nodes (buboes). It's also curable with antibiotics. Bacterial Vaginosis (BV), an imbalance of vaginal flora, is often discussed alongside STDs due to its association with sexual activity.

Prevention hinges on consistent and correct condom use, regular screening, and prompt treatment of infected individuals and their partners.

5-Minute Revision

Bacterial Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) are a crucial topic for NEET, emphasizing the role of bacteria in reproductive health. These infections are distinct from viral STDs primarily because they are curable with antibiotics. Understanding their causative agents, symptoms, complications, and treatment is paramount.

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Syphilis: — Caused by the spirochete *Treponema pallidum*. Its progression is classic: the primary stage features a single, painless, firm chancre at the infection site, which heals spontaneously. The secondary stage involves a non-itchy rash, often on palms and soles, fever, and lymphadenopathy. If untreated, it enters a latent stage, followed by tertiary syphilis years later, causing severe damage to the heart, brain (neurosyphilis), and other organs. Diagnosis involves blood tests (VDRL, RPR, FTA-ABS). Treatment is highly effective with Penicillin G.

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Gonorrhea: — Caused by *Neisseria gonorrhoeae*, a Gram-negative diplococcus. It's notorious for often being asymptomatic, particularly in women. When symptomatic, men may experience painful urination and pus-like urethral discharge; women may have increased vaginal discharge, intermenstrual bleeding, or abdominal pain. Untreated, it can lead to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) in women, and epididymitis in men, both potentially causing infertility. Diagnosis uses NAATs. Treatment involves dual therapy, typically ceftriaxone and azithromycin, due to rising antibiotic resistance.

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Chlamydia: — Caused by *Chlamydia trachomatis*, an obligate intracellular bacterium. It is the most common bacterial STD and is also frequently asymptomatic. Symptoms, when present, are similar to gonorrhea (discharge, painful urination). Like gonorrhea, it's a major cause of PID, infertility, and ectopic pregnancy. Diagnosis is primarily via NAATs. Treatment is with a single dose of azithromycin or a 7-day course of doxycycline.

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Chancroid: — Caused by *Haemophilus ducreyi*. Characterized by painful genital ulcers with soft, irregular borders, and often accompanied by swollen, tender lymph nodes in the groin (buboes). This pain distinguishes its chancre from that of syphilis. Treatment involves antibiotics like azithromycin or ceftriaxone.

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Bacterial Vaginosis (BV): — While not strictly an STD, it's an imbalance of vaginal flora, with an overgrowth of anaerobic bacteria. It's associated with sexual activity. Symptoms include a fishy-smelling vaginal discharge. Treated with metronidazole or clindamycin.

Prevention is key: consistent and correct use of condoms, limiting sexual partners, and regular screening for sexually active individuals are crucial. Early diagnosis and complete treatment are vital to prevent severe, irreversible complications.

Prelims Revision Notes

Bacterial STDs: NEET Quick Facts

I. General Characteristics:

Caused by bacteria.
Primarily transmitted via sexual contact (vaginal, anal, oral).
Generally curable with antibiotics (key difference from viral STDs).
Many are asymptomatic, leading to silent spread and delayed diagnosis.
Can lead to severe long-term complications if untreated.

II. Specific Bacterial STDs:

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Syphilis

* Causative Agent: *Treponema pallidum* (spirochete). * Primary Stage: Painless chancre (firm, round ulcer) at infection site. Heals spontaneously. * Secondary Stage: Non-itchy rash (often palms/soles), fever, lymphadenopathy, sore throat.

* Latent Stage: Asymptomatic, but infection persists. * Tertiary Stage: Years later; severe damage to heart, brain (neurosyphilis), other organs (gummas). * Diagnosis: Blood tests (VDRL, RPR for screening; FTA-ABS, TPPA for confirmation).

* Treatment: Penicillin G (dosage varies by stage).

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Gonorrhea

* Causative Agent: *Neisseria gonorrhoeae* (Gram-negative diplococcus). * Symptoms: Often asymptomatic (especially in women). Men: painful urination, pus-like urethral discharge. Women: increased vaginal discharge, intermenstrual bleeding, abdominal pain.

* Complications: Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), infertility, epididymitis, disseminated gonococcal infection. * Diagnosis: Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests (NAATs) from urine/swabs. * Treatment: Dual therapy (e.

g., Ceftriaxone injection + oral Azithromycin) due to resistance.

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Chlamydia

* Causative Agent: *Chlamydia trachomatis* (obligate intracellular bacterium). * Prevalence: Most common bacterial STD. * Symptoms: Highly asymptomatic. Similar to gonorrhea when symptomatic (discharge, painful urination). * Complications: Major cause of PID, infertility, ectopic pregnancy, epididymitis. * Diagnosis: NAATs from urine/swabs. * Treatment: Oral Azithromycin (single dose) or Doxycycline (7 days).

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Chancroid

* Causative Agent: *Haemophilus ducreyi* (Gram-negative bacterium). * Symptoms: Painful genital ulcers (soft, irregular borders) and buboes (swollen, tender groin lymph nodes). * Diagnosis: Clinical presentation, culture (difficult). * Treatment: Oral Azithromycin, Ceftriaxone.

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Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)

* Etiology: Imbalance of normal vaginal flora (overgrowth of anaerobes, decrease in *Lactobacillus*). * Symptoms: Fishy-smelling vaginal discharge, itching, burning. * Note: Not strictly an STD, but associated with sexual activity. * Treatment: Metronidazole or Clindamycin.

III. Prevention:

Consistent and correct use of condoms.
Limiting sexual partners.
Abstinence.
Regular screening for sexually active individuals.
Prompt treatment of infected individuals and their partners.

Vyyuha Quick Recall

Some Good Chicks Can Have Bacteria:

Syphilis - *Treponema pallidum*
Gonorrhea - *Neisseria gonorrhoeae*
Chlamydia - *Chlamydia trachomatis*
Chancroid - *Haemophilus ducreyi*
Herpes (Viral, but often grouped for recall) - HSV
BV (Bacterial Vaginosis) - Flora Imbalance

For distinguishing chancres: Syphilis is Painless (SP), Chancroid is Painful (CP).