Microbial Pathogenesis & Infectious Diseases

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)

Sexually transmitted diseases(STDs) or sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are infections that are passed from one person to another through sexual contact. The contact is usually vaginal, oral, and anal sex. But sometimes they can spread through other intimate physical contact. This is because some STDs, like herpes and HPV, are spread by skin-to-skin contact. Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can be caused by:

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  Bacteria (gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia)


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  Parasites (trichomoniasis)


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  Viruses (human papillomavirus, genital herpes, HIV)