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'''Sexually transmitted diseases''' (STDs) are [[infectious Disease|infectious diseases]] transmitted by sexual contact. STDs comprise a large and diverse set of disease entities which include [[virus]]es, bacteria, protozoa, and arthropods.  Many of these diseases can cause great harm before symptoms are detected.  They can affect men and women of any sexual orientation, although some diseases have cause unequal harm to different sexes.
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== List of STDs and their Signs and Symptoms==
'''Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)''' are [[Infectious Diseases (human)|infectious diseases]] transmitted by both sexual contact and other means.  Historically, illnesses passed ''solely'' by 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 ''to'' catch them.  
This list is not complete, and many of these disease agents can be transmitted by non-sexual means. Because there are so many different infections, symptoms can vary greatly. Your doctor can give you a great deal of information and should be consulted early to prevent permanent health problems.


===Viruses===
More recently, the term sexually transmitted diseases has become popular, and includes all of the venereal diseases. Its acronym, the letters STD, is not only an abbreviation but the spoken term used most commonly when referring to this category of illnesses. STDs are the set of infectious diseases and parasitic infestations that are seen most frequently in promiscuous populations, and most can be passed by close contact of various kinds. 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. Other infections included in this category STD include ailments like oral Herpes simplex 1, also called cold sores, which are most often spread by contact that is ''not'' sexual. Sometimes, the acronym STI, for sexually transmitted infections is used in place of STD.


'''Human Immunodeficiency Virus ([[HIV]])'''
Using a liberal definition, the diseases generally considered STDs include:
{{col-begin}}
{{col-break|width=50%}}
{|
|- valign=top
|
*[[Gonorrhea]]
*[[Nonspecific urethritis]], usually caused by [[chlamydia]], [[uroplasma]] or [[mycoplasma]]
*[[Syphilis]]
*[[Herpes simplex virus|Herpes simplex virus type 2]]
*[[Human immunodeficiency virus]]
*[[Granuloma inguinale]]
{{col-break|width=50%}}
*[[Human papillomavirus]]
*[[Chancroid]]
*[[Lymphogranuloma venereum]], also coaused by ''chlamydia''
*[[Herpes simplex virus|Herpes simplex virus type 1]]
*[[Hepatitis B virus]]
{{col-end}}
Further adding to the heterogeneity of the conditions described, some clinicians include anything "catching" that can be caught from close physical contact that is common in patients who also have [[venereal disease]]s, including parasites like lice, that are not generally thought of as either an infection or a disease; but as an infestation. Again, this phrase "sexual transmission" used in the term 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 residential conditions that were often unsanitary. One problem with the popular use of this term in the clinical health sciences that it bears a social stigma, and technically applies to common medical conditions that may occur in virgins who have never abused drugs, and live in the most sanitary of human environments.


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. 
Care and management of STDs is directed by [[clinical practice guideline]]s in the [[United States of America]] by the [[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]].<ref>Anonymous (2010) [http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5912a1.htm Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines, 2010]</ref>


'''[[Herpes|Herpes Simplex Virus]] (HSV 1 and 2)'''
==Prevention==
Condom use is highly effective although not perfect.


HSV can appear on either the lips or the genitalia. It usually presents as a painful, bumpy rash, sometimes with fever.
Male circumcision reduces the incidence of [[Herpes simplex virus]] type 2 and some [[Human papilloma virus]].<ref name="pmid19321868">{{citation
|author=Tobian AA, Serwadda D, Quinn TC, ''et al''
|title=Male circumcision for the prevention of HSV-2 and HPV infections and syphilis
|journal=N. Engl. J. Med.
|volume=360
|issue=13
|pages=1298–309 |year=2009 |month=March
|pmid=19321868
|doi=10.1056/NEJMoa0802556 |url=http://content.nejm.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=short&pmid=19321868&promo=ONFLNS19}}</ref>


'''[[Human Papilloma Virus]] (HPV)'''
Postexposure chemoprophylaxis is available for some diseases, and is especially appropriate after sexual attack.


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.
==References==
 
<references/>
'''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 [[condom|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.''
 
[[Category:Health Sciences Workgroup]]

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Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are infectious diseases transmitted by both sexual contact and other means. Historically, illnesses passed solely by 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 to catch them.

More recently, the term sexually transmitted diseases has become popular, and includes all of the venereal diseases. Its acronym, the letters STD, is not only an abbreviation but the spoken term used most commonly when referring to this category of illnesses. STDs are the set of infectious diseases and parasitic infestations that are seen most frequently in promiscuous populations, and most can be passed by close contact of various kinds. 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. Other infections included in this category STD include ailments like oral Herpes simplex 1, also called cold sores, which are most often spread by contact that is not sexual. Sometimes, the acronym STI, for sexually transmitted infections is used in place of STD.

Using a liberal definition, the diseases generally considered STDs include:

Further adding to the heterogeneity of the conditions described, some clinicians include anything "catching" that can be caught from close physical contact that is common in patients who also have venereal diseases, including parasites like lice, that are not generally thought of as either an infection or a disease; but as an infestation. Again, this phrase "sexual transmission" used in the term 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 residential conditions that were often unsanitary. One problem with the popular use of this term in the clinical health sciences that it bears a social stigma, and technically applies to common medical conditions that may occur in virgins who have never abused drugs, and live in the most sanitary of human environments.

Care and management of STDs is directed by clinical practice guidelines in the United States of America by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.[1]

Prevention

Condom use is highly effective although not perfect.

Male circumcision reduces the incidence of Herpes simplex virus type 2 and some Human papilloma virus.[2]

Postexposure chemoprophylaxis is available for some diseases, and is especially appropriate after sexual attack.

References

  1. ↑ Anonymous (2010) Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines, 2010
  2. ↑ Tobian AA, Serwadda D, Quinn TC, et al (2009), "Male circumcision for the prevention of HSV-2 and HPV infections and syphilis", N. Engl. J. Med. 360 (13): 1298–309, DOI:10.1056/NEJMoa0802556
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