Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.
Dr. Charles "Pat" Davis, MD, PhD, is a board certified Emergency Medicine doctor who currently practices as a consultant and staff member for hospitals. He has a PhD in Microbiology (UT at Austin), and the MD (Univ. Texas Medical Branch, Galveston). He is a Clinical Professor (retired) in the Division of Emergency Medicine, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, and has been the Chief of Emergency Medicine at UT Medical Branch and at UTHSCSA with over 250 publications.
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs, venereal diseases) are among the most
common infectious diseases in the United States today. STDs are sometimes
referred to as sexually transmitted infections, since these conditions involve
the transmission of an infectious organism between sex partners. More than 20
different STDs have been identified, and about 19 million men and women are
infected each year in the United States, according to the CDC (2010).
Depending
on the disease, the infection can be spread through any type of sexual activity
involving the sex organs, the anus, or the mouth; an infection can also be spread
through contact with blood during sexual activity. STDs are infrequently
transmitted by any other type of contact (blood, body fluids or tissue removed
from an STD infected person and placed in contact with an uninfected person);
however, people that share unsterilized needles markedly increase the chance to
pass many diseases, including STD's (especially hepatitis B), to others. Some
diseases are not considered to be officially an STD (for example, hepatitis
types A,
C, E) but are infrequently noted to be transferred during sexual
activity. Consequently, some authors include them as STD's, others do not.
Consequently, lists of STD's can vary, depending on whether the STD is usually
transmitted by sexual contact or only infrequently transmitted.
STDs affect men and women of all ages and backgrounds, including children.
Many states require that Child Protective Services be notified if children are
diagnosed with an STD.
STDs have become more common in recent years, partly because people are
becoming sexually active at a younger age, are having multiple partners, and do
not use preventive methods to lessen their chance of acquiring an STD. Seniors show a marked increase in STDs in the last few years as many do not use condoms.
People can pass STDs to sexual partners even if they themselves do not have
any symptoms.
Frequently, STDs can be present but cause no symptoms, especially in women
(for example, chlamydia,
genital herpes or
gonorrhea). This can also occur in
some men.
Health problems and long-term consequences from STDs tend to be more severe
for women than for men. Some STDs can cause pelvic infections such as pelvic
inflammatory disease (PID), which may cause a tubo-ovarian abscess. The
abscess,
in turn, may lead to scarring of the reproductive organs, which can result in an
ectopic pregnancy (a
pregnancy outside the uterus),
infertility or even death
for a woman.
Human papillomavirus infection (HPV infection), an STD, is a known cause of
cancer of the cervix.
Many STDs can be passed from a mother to her baby before, during, or
immediately after birth.
Because the method of becoming infected is similar with all STDs, a person
often obtains more than one pathogenic organism at a time. For example, many
people (about 50%) are infected at a single sexual contact with both gonorrhea
and chlamydia.
Must Read Articles Related to Sexually Transmitted Diseases
CervicitisCervicitis is an infection of the lower genital tract (inflammation of the cervix). Cervicitis may be caused by STD's or injuries to the cervix. Cervicitis symp...learn more >>
ChlamydiaChlamydia is a sexual transmitted disease (STD) transmitted when people have sexual relations. Often, there are no symptoms. Chlamydia is caused by the bacteriu...learn more >>
CrabsCrabs (pubic lice) is a parasitic infection. Causes of crabs include sexual contact with an infected person, contaminated towels, bedding, or clothing. The main...learn more >>
A woman's anatomy can place her at a unique risk for
STD infection, compared to a man.
Women are less likely to have symptoms of common
STDs -- such as chlamydia and gonorrhea -- compared
to men.
Women are more likely to confuse symptoms of an STD
for something else.
Women may not see symptoms as easily as men.
STDs can lead to serious health complications and
affect a woman's future reproductive plans.
Women who are pregnant can pass STDs to their babies.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common
sexually transmitted infection in women, and is the main
cause of cervical cancer.
The Good News
Women typically see their doctor more often than men.
There is a vaccine to prevent HPV; and available
treatments for other STDs can prevent serious
health consequences, such as infertility, if diagnosed and
treated early.
There are resources available for women to learn
more about actions they can take to protect
themselves and their partners from STDs, and where to
receive testing and treatment.
