StiA64

STI is the acronym for "sexually transmitted infections". These are infectious diseases that are primarily transmitted through sexual intercourse. This primarily concerns the classic sexually transmitted diseases:

• gonorrhea
• syphilis
• ulcus molle
• Lymphogranuloma inguinale.

However, STIs also include other diseases that are mainly transmitted through sexual intercourse, e.g.

• HIV infection
• Granuloma inguinale
• trichomoniasis
• non-gonorrheal urethritis
• genital herpes
• candidiasis
• Condylomata acuminata
• Pediculosis pubis.

The acronym STI has replaced the older term STD (sexually transmitted diseases), as the infections can often be asymptomatic (e.g. infections with chlamydia, gonococci and human papillomaviruses). The study of sexually transmitted diseases (venereal diseases) is known as venereology (Venus = Roman goddess of love). Its importance for the subject of dermatology is expressed in the double designation "dermatology and venereology".

1. Buntin DM et al (1991) Sexually transmitted diseases: Bacterial infections. J Am Acad Dermatol 25: 287-299
2. Buntin DM et al (1991) Sexually transmitted diseases: Virus and ectoparasites. J Am Acad Dermatol 25: 527-534
3. Gross G (2003) Sexually transmitted infections and diseases. dermatologist 54: 94-97
4. Peipert JF (2003) Clinical practice. Genital chlamydial infections. N Engl J Med 349: 2424-2430
5. Scholz A (2003) The fight against venereal diseases in different political systems. dermatologist 54: 664-673