There are several common vaginal infections that may also be associated with sexual in­tercourse, including trichomoniasis, hemophilus, bacterial vaginosis, and candidiasis. All of these may cause a vaginal discharge, vulvar itching, and irritation and/or vaginal odor. Trichomoniasis (trick-oh-mun-NYE-iss-sis; also called trich, or TV) is a form of vaginitis that is caused by Trichomonas vaginalis. Women […]

(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2005d). However, this bacterial infection is underreported, and many clinics do not have screening kits. The majority of cases diagnosed in the United States involve a person who has trav­eled to a country where the disease is more common. Chancroid is one of the most prevalent STIs in many […]

Chlamydia is the common name for infections caused by a bacterium called Chlamydia trachomatis. Risk factors for chlamydia are similar to those for other STIs and include multiple sexual partners, a partner who has had multiple sexual partners, being under age 25, inconsistent use of barrier contraceptives (such as condoms), and a history of STIs. […]

n 1996, in a small suburb of Atlanta, a school nurse reported an increasing number of teenagers who were infected with syphilis. This was a strange occurrence because, as you may recall, experts had pre­dicted that syphilis was on its way to virtual elimination in the United States. The number of teenagers testing positive for […]

Gonorrhea (the “clap” or “drip”) is caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae, which can survive only in the mucous membranes of the body. These areas, such as the cervix, urethra, mouth, throat, rectum, and even the eyes, provide moisture and warmth that help the bacterium survive. Neisseria gonorrhoeae is actually very fragile and can be […]

Scabies is an ectoparasitic infection of the skin with the mite Sarcoptes scabiei. It is spread during skin-to-skin contact, both during sexual and nonsexual contact. The mites can live for up to 48 hours on bedsheets and clothing and are impossible to see with the naked eye. Incidence Infection with scabies occurs worldwide and among […]

Ectoparasitic infections are those that are caused by parasites that live on the skin’s sur­face. The two ectoparasitic infections that are sexually transmitted are pubic lice and scabies. Pubic Lice Pubic lice (or “crabs”) are a parasitic STI; the lice are very small, wingless insects that can attach themselves to pubic hair with their claws. […]

All states (and the District of Columbia) require that syphilis, gonorrhea, chancroid, chlamydia, the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) be reported to public health centers. In addition, many states require reporting cases of genital herpes and genital warts. Reporting these infec­tions helps to identify disease trends and communities that […]

igh-risk sexual behaviors are those practices that increase the risk of acquiring a sexually transmit­ted infection. Following are some of these high-risk behaviors. Drinking alcohol and engaging in sexual activity under the influence of alcohol often increases the risk of ac­quiring an STI because alcohol can increase the likelihood that a person will participate in […]

Attitudes and the STI Epidemic ■ SEX IN REAL LIFE High-Risk Sexual Behaviors Sexually Transmitted Infections Ectoparasitic Infections: Pubic Lice and Scabies Bacterial Infections: Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Chlamydia, and More ■ SEX IN REAL LIFE The Lost Children of Rockdale County ■ SEX IN REAL LIFE Vaccines for Sexually Transmitted Infections? ■ PERSONAL VOICES What Would […]