Prostatitis : Causes

Most often the symptoms and physical findings are enough to form a diagnosis of prostatitis. When the examiner inserts a finger in the rectum, the swollen prostate can be felt; it may be extremely tender when probed. Squeezing the gland slightly w...

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease (commonly known as "the clap) caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhea. See also: Disseminated gonococcemia

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by a bacteria called Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Gonorrhea is most common among females ages 15-19 and males ages 20-24. Although most males experience symptoms, 50% of females have no symptoms. For this reason, gonorrhea in adolescent girls often goes untreated. Therefore, screening cultures for gonorrhea should be routine for all sexually active adolescents.

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae , a bacterium. Gonorrhea is spread through sexual contact (vaginal, oral, or anal). The organism can grow easily in mucous membranes of the body, including the cervix, uterus, and fallopian tubes in women, and the urethra, mouth, throat, and rectum in women and men. It can also invade the conjunctiva (e.g., during childbirth). Each year approximately 650,000 persons in the United States get gonorrhea. Approximately 75 percent of gonorrhea cases are found in persons age fifteen to twenty-nine years. About 50 percent of men have some initial symptoms, typically a burning sensation when urinating and a discharge from the penis. Many infected women are asymptomatic or have only mild symptoms. Initial symptoms include a painful or burning sensation when urinating and a vaginal discharge that is yellow or bloody. Untreated gonorrhea in women can develop into pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can cause infertility or increase the future risk of ectopic pregnancy. An infected pregnant woman can transmit the infection to her newborn during vaginal delivery. N. gonorrhoeae in the male or female genital tract can be diagnosed in a laboratory using a urine specimen. Many of the currently used antibiotics can successfully cure gonorrhea. Persons who engage in sexual behaviors that place them at risk of STDs should use latex or polyurethane condoms every time they have sex, limit the number of sex partners, and not go back and forth between partners. All young, sexually active, nonmonogamous persons who do not use condoms every time they have sex should consider being screened for gonorrhea yearly. Infected persons should notify all sex partners so they can receive treatment. A LLISON L. G REENSPAN J OEL R. G REENSPAN ( SEE ALSO : Sexually Transmitted Diseases )

Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection that is transmitted sexually. Many women and some men who have gonorrhea do not have any signs or symptoms. If not treated, gonorrhea can cause swollen and painful joints and permanent damage to your reproductive organs.

Gonorrhea is a highly contagious sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacterium. The genitourinary tract is the main system that is usually affected, but gonorrhea can also spread to the rectum, the throat, and the eyes. Left untreated, gonorrhea can spread through the bloodstream and infect the brain, heart valves, joints, and the reproductive system. Exposure to an infected mother during birth may cause permanent blindness in the newborn.

Gonorrhea is a highly contagious sexually transmitted disease that is caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae . The mucous membranes of the genital region may become inflamed without the development of any other symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they are different in men and women. In men, gonorrhea usually begins as an infection of the vessel that carries urine and sperm (urethra). In women, it will most likely infect the narrow part of the uterus (cervix). If untreated, gonorrhea can result in serious medical complications.

Detailed information on Escherichia coli O157:H7, also called e. coli, including symptoms, complications, diagnosis, and prevention

Detailed information on E. coli, including symptoms, diagnosis, complications, and prevention

The primary bacterial indicator used for assessment of microbial contamination of water consists of the coliform group. Coliform bacteria are universally present in high numbers in the feces of warm-blooded animals, including humans, and can be detected even after considerable dilution. Escherichia coli ( E. coli ), is one of the most common coliform bacteria types. Detection of E. coli is definite evidence of fecal pollution. E. coli are facultatively anaerobic gram-negative rods that live in the intestinal tracts of animals. They can grow in the presence or the absence of oxygen. Under anaerobic conditions, E. coli grow by fermentation, producing mixed acids and gases as end products. They can also grow by anaerobic respiration, utilizing NO 3 , NO 2 , or fumarate. This versatility is what gives E. coli its ability to adapt to its intestinal (anaerobic) and its extraintestinal (aerobic or anaerobic) habitats. As a pathogen, E. coli is best known for its ability to cause intestinal diseases. Five classes of E. coli can result in diarrheal diseases, but three specific pathogenic strains—enterotoxigenic, enteropathogenic, and enteroinvasive—cause problems when present in the water supply. All three of these types can cause acute diarrhea. An outbreak of E. coli -induced diarrhea can have a fatality rate as high as 40 percent in newborn children. Enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) are an important cause of diarrhea in infants (e.g., in nurseries and institutions), and in travelers to areas with poor sanitation. ETEC are acquired by ingestion of contaminated food and water. Adults in endemic areas develop immunity. In developing countries, children under the age of three experience multiple ETEC infections. The primary symptom of ETEC infection is diarrhea without fever. Enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC) penetrate and multiply within epithelial cells of the colon and cause widespread cell destruction. EIEC are very similar to Shigella in their pathogenic mechanisms and the type of clinical symptoms they cause—diarrhea with fever. EIEC infections are endemic in developing countries and are the cause of 1 to 5 percent of diarrheal episodes among people seeking treatment. Enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) are an important cause of traveler's diarrhea in Mexico and in North America. This class of E. coli produces watery diarrhea similar to that of ETEC, probably due to the bacterial invasion of host cells and modification of cellular signals. Diarrheal episodes among children caused by EPEC in endemic populations are normally limited to children under the age of one. In this age group, EPEC causes watery diarrhea with mucus, fever, and dehydration. EPEC is no longer an important cause of infant diarrhea in North America and Europe, but is still a major cause in many developing countries in South America, southern Africa, and Asia. Escherica coli 0157:H7 is classified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as the cause of one of the emerging infections diseases. E. coli 0157:H7 is one of the more virulent of the many strains of E.coli found in the environment. (The CDC reports that 20,000 cases of 0157:H7 infection may occur annually.) E. coli 0157:H7 is found in the intestinal tract and feces of animals and humans. Infection often causes severe, bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps. In children, the elderly, and immune-compromised individuals, the infection can lead to kidney failure and possible death. Undercooked ground beef (due to its handling and preparation) represents one of the greatest risks of E. coli 0157:H7 infections. M ARK G. R OBSON

E. coli (Escherichia coli) is one of several types of bacteria that normally inhabit the intestine of humans and animals (commensal organism). Some strains of E. coli are capable of causing disease under certain conditions when the immune system is compromised or disease may result from an environmental exposure.

An explanation and discussion of the possible health benefits of probiotic therapy, in which bacterial microorganisms are taken to ward off illnesses.

Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the parasite Trichomonas vaginalis.

Trichomoniasis refers to an infection of the genital and urinary tract. It is the most common sexually transmitted disease, affecting about 120 million women worldwide each year.

Trichomoniasis refers to an infection of the genital and urinary tract.

Chlamydia infection is a very common STD. Because most people do not have symptoms, chlamydia may not be noticed until it causes severe problems. Left untreated, this STD can cause women and men to become sterile.