Common infections
AidsAction 1997(36-37): 10
1997
ISSN/ISBN: 0953-0096 PMID: 12348238 Document Number: 530725
According to World Health Organization estimates, there are 333 million new cases of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) each year. The total number of reproductive tract infections (RTIs) is even higher since these infections may have few visible symptoms, especially in women. Left untreated, however, RTIs can lead to infertility. Common symptoms include: unusually thick or foul-smelling vaginal or urethral discharge, genital sores, anal sores, genital itching, pain when urinating and during sexual intercourse, painful swelling in the lymph glands or groin, and lower abdominal pain. The open sores associated with STDs such as syphilis, chancroid, and genital herpes greatly increase the risk of HIV transmission, as may STDs such as gonorrhea that are associated with urethral or vaginal discharge. To facilitate the prompt diagnosis and treatment of RTIs, this article briefly describes the diagnosis and long-term effects of gonorrhea, syphilis, chancroid, chlamydia, pelvic inflammatory disease, genital herpes, genital warts, candida, and bacterial vaginosis.