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Definition: sexually transmitted disease (STD) from Philip's Encyclopedia

Any disease that is transmitted by sexual activity. It encompasses a range of conditions that are spread primarily by sexual contact, although some may also be transmitted in other ways also. These include Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), syphilis, gonorrhoea, chlamydia, cervical cancer and viral hepatitis. STDs are a significant public health problem.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases

From Encyclopedia of Global Health
Sexually transmitted diseases, often also referred to as sexually transmitted infections or venereal diseases, are infectious diseases that are primarily transmitted via vaginal, anal, or oral sex, or via other sexual contact. Pathogens infect via the mucous membranes of the penis, vagina, or mouth, which are generally more porous than skin. Genital fluids and blood generally have greater pathogen content than saliva. Sexually transmitted diseases include genital herpes, the human papilloma virus (HPV), gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). While other pathogens, such as meningitis and hepatitis B, can be transmitted via sexual contact, these infections are not classified as sexually transmitted infections as sexual contact is not the primary route of transmission. Similarly, sexually transmitted pathogens can also often be transmitted via other routes that permit contact with infectious material, such as sharing needles that have contacted…
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Full text Article Sexually Transmitted Infections

From Global Social Issues: An Encyclopedia
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are illnesses that are generally spread through sexual intercourse, including oral, anal, and vaginal sex. They were once known by the name “venereal disease” (after Venus, the Roman goddess of love) and more recently as “sexually transmitted diseases.” Today, …
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Full text Article Sexually Transmitted Diseases

From New Harvard Guide to Women's Health, The
Sexually transmitted diseases are infcctious diseases acquired primarily through sexual contact with an infected partner. STDs are caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, mycoplasma, and parasites that thrive on the warm, moist mucous membranes of the genital area, mouth, and throat. Types of…
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Full text Article Sexually transmitted infections

From Cambridge Handbook of Psychology, Health and Medicine
Good sexual health is an integral part of quality of life. However, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are common and rates are rising (White, 2004). Although diagnoses of STIs declined in the mid-1980s coinciding with awareness of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), since 1995 there has been a…
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Full text Article Sexually Transmitted Infections

From The Human Body Book: An Illustrated Guide to Its Structure, Function and Disorders Full text Article Reproduction and Life Cycle
Gonorrhoea bacteria An electron micrograph of...
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), also known as sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), are infections that are passed from person to person by sexual activity. Genital, anal, and oral sex can all pass on an infection to another person. STIs can usually be successfully treated with drugs, and…
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Full text Article Sexually Transmitted Diseases

From Encyclopedia of Women's Health
Sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs, refer to a variety of bacterial, viral, and other infections acquired through sexual contact. STDs are common reasons for visits to clinics and physicians’ offices. STDs produce significant morbidity and are estimated to cost the health care system billions of…
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(STD) or venereal disease, term for infections acquired mainly through sexual contact. Five diseases were traditionally known as venereal diseases: gonorrhea , syphilis , and the less common granuloma inguinale, lymphogranuloma venereum, and chancroid. In the 1960s up to 20 other diseases were…
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Full text Article sexually transmitted disease (STD)

From Britannica Concise Encyclopedia
Disease transmitted primarily by direct sexual contact. STDs usually affect the reproductive system and urinary system but can be spread to the mouth or rectum by oral or anal sex. In later stages they may attack other organs and systems. The best-known are syphilis , gonorrhea , AIDS , and herpes…
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Full text Article sexually transmitted disease (STD)

From Library of Health and Living: The Encyclopedia of Men's Health
Infections transmitted exclusively or primarily through sexual contact. Though the STDs syphilis and gonorrhea accounted for significant numbers of deaths until the advent of antibiotic medications in the 1940s, these and other STDs seldom are fatal in the United States today. Ancient medical texts…
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Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are diseases caused by sexually transmitted infections that have a substantial probability of transmission between humans by means of sexual contact. Some of the these can be also transmitted by other means such as mother-to-child transmission (e.g. at birth or…
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Full text Article sexually transmitted disease / venereal disease

From The American Heritage Guide to Contemporary Usage and Style
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