Sexually-transmitted disease |
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) also known as Sexually transmitted
infections (STIs) are diseases that are commonly transmitted between partners through some form of
sexual activity, most commonly vaginal intercourse, oral sex, or anal sex. They were known as
venereal diseases (VD) until some time around 1990, when public health
officials introduced the new term in an effort to improve the clarity of their warnings to
teenagers.
Note that all sexual behaviors that involve
contact with another person or the bodily fluids of another person should be considered to contain some risk of transmission of
sexually transmitted diseases. Most attention has focused on controlling HIV, which causes
AIDS, but each STD presents a different situation.
As may be noted from the name, sexually transmitted diseases are transmitted from one person to another by certain
sexual activities rather than being actually caused by those sexual activities. Bacteria, fungi or viruses are still the
causative agents. It is not possible to catch any sexually transmitted disease from a sexual activity with a person who is not
carrying a disease; conversely a person who has an STD got it from contact (sexual or otherwise) with someone who had it, or
their bodily fluids.
Although the likelihood of transmitting various diseases by various sexual activities varies a great deal, in general, all
sexual activities should be considered as being a two-way route for the transmission of STDs (i.e., "giving" or "receiving" are
both risky).
Health care professionals suggest safer sex, such as the use of condoms in any sexual activity, but safer sex should by no means be considered an absolute
safeguard. Abstinence from sexual activities will protect against contracting a sexually transmitted disease.
Since prostitutes tend to have large numbers of sexual partners, prostitution has often been associated with the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. However, sexually
transmitted diseases are transmitted by many other forms of sexual activity, so it is important that all members of the community
use safer sex precautions, regardless of the nature of their relationships.
It is possible be an asymptomatic carrier of sexually transmitted diseases. In
particular, sexually transmitted diseases in women often cause the serious condition of pelvic inflammatory disease.
The first venereal diseases clinic opened on January 31, 1747 at London Dock Hospital.
Types of sexually transmitted diseases and their causative organisms
(Note that some of the diseases on this list are commonly transmitted in other ways besides sexually, e.g. AIDS is also commonly transmitted through the sharing of infected needles by drug users.)
See also
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