1. Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) Slideshow Pictures
2. Take the Quiz on STDs

Medical Author:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

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.

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Medical Editor:

Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

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.

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Depending on the disease, STDs can be spread with any type of sexual activity. STDs are most often caused by viruses and bacteria. The following is a list of the most common STDs, their causes and other infections (see STDs with asterisk mark*) that may be transmitted on occasion by sexual activity, but are frequently not considered primarily to be an STD by many investigators:

STDs caused by bacteria

• Chancroid (Haemophilus ducreyi)
• Chlamydia (Chlamydia trachomatis)
• Gonorrhea (Neisseria gonorrhea)
• Granuloma inguinale (Calymmatobacterium granulomatis)
• Lymphogranuloma venereum (Chlamydia trachomatis)
• Syphilis (Treponema pallidum)

STDs caused by viruses

• Genital herpes (herpes simplex virus)
• Genital warts (human papillomavirus virus [HPV])
• Hepatitis B and D, and infrequently, A*,C*,E* (hepatitis viruses, types A-E)
• HIV/AIDS (human immunodeficiency virus [HIV virus])
• Molluscum contagiosum* (poxvirus)

STD caused by protozoan

• Trichomoniasis (Trichomonas vaginalis)

STD's* caused by fungi

• Jock itch (Tenia cruris)*
• Yeast infections* (Candida albicans)

STD's caused by parasites

• Pubic lice or crabs (Pediculosis pubis)
• Scabies*  Sarcoptes scabiei

For details about the pathogens that cause the diseases, the reader is urged to search the specific disease by simply clicking on it.

Must Read Articles Related to Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Cervicitis Cervicitis 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 >>

Chlamydia Chlamydia 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 >>

Crabs Crabs (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 >>

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