Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD)

The term sexually transmitted disease (STD) refers to any infection contracted primarily through sexual activities or contact. STD has replace the older term venereal disease (VD), which referred to diseases transmitted only by sexual intercourse. STD is also known as sexually transmitted infection (STI). More than 50 organisms are known to spread through sexual activity. The five most widely known STDs are chlamydial infection, gonorrhea, syphilis, genital herpes, and genital warts. Other infections are chancroid, lymphogranuloma venereum, granuloma inguinale, trichomoniasis, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), and some enteric and ectoparasitic infections.

STDs share the following characteristics:

1. STDs can be transmitted by any sexual activity between opposite-sex or same-sex partners (not only vaginal-penile sex but also oral and anal sex).
2. Having one STD confers no immunity against future reinfections with that STD or with any other STD (except, possibly, for hepatitis B).
3. Sexual partners of infected clients need to be assessed for treatment 
4. STDs affect people from all socioeconomic classes, cultures, ethnicities, and age groups.
5. Women bear a disproportionate number of the effects of STDs.
6. Frustration, anger, anxiety, fear, shame, and guilt are emotions commonly associated with an STD diagnosis.
7. STDs frequently coexist in the same client (for example, a client may have both chlamydial infection and gonorrhea).

"Etiology of Sexually Transmitted Diseases"

STDs Caused by Bacteria

• Gonorrhea
• Chlamydial infection
• Syphilis
• Bacterial vaginosis
• Nongonococcal urethritis
• Chancroid
• Lymphogranuloma venereum
• Granuloma inguinale
• Sexually transmitted enteric infections

STDs Caused by Viruses

•   Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)
• Genital herpes
• Genital warts
• Hepatitis B
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis c (possible sexual transmission)

STD Caused by Protozoa

• Trichomoniasis

STD Caused by Fungi

• Vulvovaginal candidiasis

STDs Caused by Ectoparasites

• Scabies
• Pediculosis pubis

Specific risk factors for acquiring Sexually Transmitted Diseases are:

• Intravenous (IV) drug use
• Other substances abuse
• High-risk sexual activity (use of prostitutes, multiple or casual sexual partners, sex with IV drug users and infected people, unprotected sex, exchanging sex for money or drugs)
• Younger age
• Younger age at sexarche (the beginning of sexual activity)
• Inner city residence
• Poverty
• Poor nutrition 
• Poor hygiene