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Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are those diseases transmitted primarily through sexual means, which may include oral, anal, or genital contact; osculation (kissing); or manual stimulation. STDs are also referred to as sexually transmitted infection (STI), venereal diseases (VD), and reproductive tract infections (RTI). Though other diseases may also be transmitted through sexual contact, the term STD is reserved for an infection spread primarily through sexual means. The source of infection may be bacterial, fungal, viral, or parasitical. Depending upon the infecting agent, the resulting disease may remain localized at the site of infection (such as the genitalia or sex organs) or may spread to other parts of the body. Though symptoms may vary, both men and women are susceptible to STDs.

The most reliable method for the prevention of all STDs is abstinence or limiting sexual activity to monogamous, long-term relationships with partners who have been tested and are free of infection. Consistent and correct use of latex condoms may help to prevent the transmission of many STDs but may be ineffective in preventing others.

AIDS is a serious infection first reported in the United States in 1981 that has subsequently become a worldwide epidemic. The syndrome is caused by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The virus progressively kills and damages cells of the body's immune system and severely diminishes a person's ability to combat infections and some cancers. Further, it increases the chances of contracting other life-threatening opportunistic infections (such as viral or bacterial) that normally do not cause disease in healthy people.

Though HIV can be spread through infected blood products (rarely in the early twenty-first century) and contaminated needles, the most common mode of transmission is through unprotected sex with an infected partner. People can contract HIV through sexual contact with the vagina, penis, vulva, rectum, or mouth. Infected women can pass HIV to their unborn children during pregnancy, delivery (especially vaginal births), or through nursing.

Most people who are infected with HIV exhibit no early symptoms. When they do occur, they appear within a month or two from exposure and manifest as a flu-like illness with symptoms such as fever, headache, fatigue, and enlarged lymph nodes. When symptoms do occur, they generally resolve within a week to a month. Nevertheless, infected individuals are highly contagious during this time.

Initial infections are generally followed by an asymptomatic period that may last anywhere from several months up to ten years. During this time the virus multiplies and begins destroying the cells of the immune system. Eventually, the immune system is compromised and cannot mount defenses for opportunistic infections and disease. AIDS is the term used to describe advanced stages of HIV infection. Symptoms include coughing and shortness of breath, seizures, difficulty in swallowing, mental impairment, persistent diarrhea, fever, nausea, abdominal cramps, weight loss, severe fatigue, loss of vision, and death.

The treatment for HIV consists of a cocktail of a variety of drugs that slow the progression of the disease and make it less infective. Treatment is complicated by the growing number of drug-resistant strains of HIV.

Aside from abstinence or having sexual relations only within a mutually monogamous, long-term relationship with an uninfected partner, the only method for preventing the spread and transmission of HIV is to abstain from high-risk behaviors such as sharing needles and engaging in unprotected sex. Male latex condoms or female polyurethane condoms only offer partial protection during oral, anal, or vaginal sex. The risk of an HIV-positive mother transmitting HIV to her unborn child is dramatically reduced if the mother undergoes treatment during pregnancy.

Reference:

Holmes, King K.; P. Frederick Sparling; Per-Anders Mardh; et al., eds. 1999. Sexually Transmitted Diseases. 3rd edition. New York: McGraw-Hill.

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