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Pronunciations amebiasis Campylobacter cervicitis chancroid chlamydial cervicitis coccal cytomegalovirus giardiasis gonorrhea granuloma hepatitis inguinal lymphogranuloma venereum molluscum contagiosum pediculosis salmonellosis shigellosis trichomoniasis urethritis

Sexually transmitted (venereal) diseases are infections that are passed from person to person through sexual contact.

Because sexual activity includes intimate contact, it provides an easy opportunity for organisms to spread from one person to another. A variety of infectious microorganisms can be spread by sexual contact. Bacterial sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) include syphilis, gonorrhea, nongonococcal urethritis and chlamydial cervicitis, lymphogranuloma venereum, chancroid, granuloma inguinale, and trichomoniasis. Viral STDs include genital warts, genital herpes (see Viral Infections: Herpes Simplex Virus Infections), molluscum contagiosum (see Viral Skin Infections: Molluscum Contagiosum), and HIV infection or AIDS (see Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection).

STDs are among the most common infectious diseases. It is estimated that over 3 million people contract gonorrhea and chlamydia every year in the United States—making these the two most common STDs in the country.

Although STDs usually result from having vaginal, oral, or anal sex with an infected partner, genital penetration is not necessary to spread an infection. Some diseases may also be transmitted by kissing or by close body contact. Also, the organisms responsible for some STDs (for example, HIV and hepatitis viruses) can be transmitted through nonsexual means, such as from mother to child at birth or through breastfeeding or exposure to contaminated food, water, blood, medical instruments, or needles.

Effective drugs are available for most STDs caused by bacteria, although a number of new antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria have become widespread. Viral STDs, especially herpes and HIV, persist for life and have effective treatment but no known cure.

Proper Condom Use Use a new condom for each act of sexual intercourse. Use the correct size condom. Carefully handle the condom to avoid damaging it with fingernails, teeth, or other sharp objects. Put the condom on after the penis is erect and before any genital contact with the partner. Place the rolled condom over the tip of the erect penis. Leave ½ inch at the tip of the condom to collect semen. With one hand, squeeze trapped air out of the tip of the condom. If uncircumcised, pull the foreskin back before rolling the condom down. With the other hand, roll the condom over the penis to its base and smooth out any air bubbles. Make sure that lubrication is adequate during intercourse. With latex condoms, use only water-based lubricants. Oil-based lubricants (such as petroleum jelly, shortening, mineral oil, massage oils, body lotions, and cooking oil) can weaken latex and cause the condom to break. Hold the condom firmly against the base of the penis during withdrawal, and withdraw the penis while it is still erect to prevent slippage.

Preventing or controlling STDs depends on practicing safe sex and getting prompt diagnosis and treatment. Knowing how to prevent the spread of STDs—in particular, knowing the proper method for using a condom—is crucial.

One strategy health care workers use to help control the spread of some STDs is contact tracing. Health care workers try to trace and treat (if treatment is available) all of an infected person's sexual contacts. People who have been treated are reexamined to make sure they are cured.

Diseases That May Be Sexually Transmitted Amebiasis Campylobacteriosis Pediculosis pubis (crabs, lice) Cytomegalovirus infection Giardiasis Hepatitis A, B, and C Salmonellosis Scabies Shigellosis

Last full review/revision February 2003