Key Terms

bacterial vaginitis (BV)
bacterial infection of the vagina
chancre
genital sore or lesion where syphilis pathogens enter the body
chlamydia
bacterial STI caused by the C. trachomatis bacterium
cystitis
infection of the lower urinary tract and the bladder
cytology
study of cells
gonorrhea
bacterial STI caused by the N. gonorrhoeae bacterium
group B streptococcus
type of bacteria that can live in a person’s gastrointestinal and genital tracts without causing problems but that can invade the body and cause infection
hepatitis
viral infection with three main types, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C
herpes simplex virus (HSV)
virus that causes herpes and is not curable
human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
enveloped retrovirus that is encapsulated by two single-stranded RNAs and can be the cause of AIDS
human papillomavirus (HPV)
double-stranded DNA virus that replicates in the basal cell layer of stratified squamous epithelial cells, which then replicate and cause hyperplasia and possible cancer
interstitial cystitis
chronic bladder condition that causes pain and has no known cause
pyelonephritis
bacterial infection of the upper urinary tract that causes inflammation of the kidneys
stigma
negative attitudes and beliefs that motivate the general public to fear, reject, avoid, and discriminate against a group of people
syphilis
bacterial STI caused by T. pallidum
trichomoniasis
STI caused by a protozoan parasite
urethritis
infection of the lower urinary tract that causes inflammation of the urethra
vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC)
fungal infection caused by the yeast Candida
whiff test
test on vaginal sample in which a few drops of potassium hydroxide (KOH) are mixed with the sample; the KOH kills bacteria and leaves only yeast behind, revealing if there is a yeast infection