Sexually transmitted disease

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are infectious diseases transmitted by sexual contact. The agents that cause these diseases include viruses, bacteria, protozoa, and arthropods. Historically, illnesses passed by solely sexual contact were called venereal disease, after Venus, the Roman goddess of love. Venereal diseases generally are infections that require such close contact for transmission that sexual intercourse is one of the only natural ways (as opposed to, say- a blood transfusion) to catch them. In the pre-antibiotic era, when toxic heavy metal containing compounds were the only effective remedies for the dread venereal disease, syphylis, the standing joke among medical students was " one night on Venus and the rest of your life on Mercury".

More recently, the term sexually transmitted diseases has become popular, and its acronym, STD, is not only an abreviation but the spoken term used most commonly. STDs are the set of infectious diseases that are seen most frequently in promiscuous populations, and although some are transmitted exclusively by sexual contact, others, like Hepatitis B infection and HIV infection, are at least as often spread by other means. Sometimes, the acronym STI, for sexually transmitted infections is used in place of STD. Further, some clinicians include anything "catching" that can be caught from close physical contact, inlcluding parasites like lice, that are generally thought of as neither an infection or a disease, but as an infestation. Again, this terminology originally arose among health care workers caring for populations of patients that shared these diseases from a combination of sexual contact. intravenous drug abuse, and close physical contact in conditions that were often unsanitary. One problem with the use of this term is that it bears a social stigma, and technically applies to medical conditions that may occur in virgins who have never abused drugs, and live in the most sanitary of human environments.

Viruses

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

In the early stages, HIV can cause fevers, rashes, joint pains, and other non-specific symptoms. These usually occur within weeks after exposure. If untreated, HIV infection usually leads to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) withing eight to ten years. The symptoms of AIDS can be anything, but common presentations include weight loss, night sweats, unusual skin lesions, and diarrhea.

Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV 1 and 2)

HSV can appear on either the lips or the genitalia. It usually presents as a painful, bumpy rash, sometimes with fever.

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)

HPV often presents as anogenital warts, or as an abnormality on a pap smear. These lesions can be pre-cancerous. HPV is the causative agent of cervical cancer and anal squamous cell carcinoma.

Hepatitis B and C Viruses (HBV, HCV)

These are often asymptomatic, but over time can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer. If any symptoms are present, the illness can look like any hepatitis, that is, jaudice, change in urine or stool color, abdominal swelling, and fatigue.

Bacteria

Neisseria gonorrhoeae (gonorrhea, "the clap")

In males, this presents as a foul penile discharge. Women may have a vaginal discharge, or no symptoms at all.

Chlamydia trachomatis (chlamydia)

This presents similarly to gonorrhea, but is often asymptomatic, and is commonly without the patient knowing they are ill.

Treponema pallidum (syphillis)

This organism causes syphilis, a multisystem disease.

Protozoa

Trichamonas vaginalis ("trich")

In females, this usually presents as a foul vaginal discharge, but males are usually asymptomatic. Even though males are asymptomatic, partners of infected females must be treated.

Arthropods

Pubic lice ("crabs")

This presents as itching in the groin, and often small parasites are easily visible.

Scabies

This often presents as itching, with rash being more prominent between the fingers and toes.

Prevention

Latex condoms have been proven to protect against many, but not all, STDs. Abstinence from any sexual contact reduces risk, but since sexual contact also occurs in marriage, other consentual relationships, and in rape, it is not a viable method of prevention. Vaccines are not widely available for STDs. An HPV vaccine has recently been released for protection against certain, but not all, strains of HPV.

Treatment

Some STDs are curable; many are not. For further information, please consult a physician.