HISTORYAND
BACKGROUND What is STI?
Sexually transmitted diseases (STD) are as old as STD stands for sexually transmitted disease (sexually
mankind and epidemics are mentioned already in the Old transmitted infection, or STI, is also used.) People
Testament. However, the perception of the conditions has contract STDs through sexual contact with an infected
changed over the centuries. In ancient times they were taken person. Some STDs have other, nonsexual means of
for an individual punishment for a blasphemic conduct of life transmission. Risk of contracting STDs can be reduced
or as a consequence of low sanitation and hygiene. In the by avoiding sexual contact or by consistent use of
medieval ages, the relation to sexual activities was condoms during sexual activity or by practicing safer
recognized, but the diversity of clinical symptoms was seen forms of sexual intimacy. In some cases, people can
as variations of one disease, depending on the stage of the further reduce their risk for contracting a sexually
disease and the general health condition of the diseased transmitted disease by being vaccinated
person. In the late 15th and 16th century a presumably "new
plague" had been imported to Europe and was rapidly
An STI is spread during sexual activity. It is spread
spread by soldiers. Misinterpretations of wrong experiments
during vaginal, anal, and oral sex. Some STIs (HIV and
on the suspected identity of syphilis and gonorrhoea led to
hepatitis B are also spread by contact with infected
nosologic misconceptions in the 17th and early 19th century.
blood. STIs are not normally spread by digital sex
The late 19th and beginning of 20st century due to the many
(fingering); however, unclean hands or uncut nails can
achievements in microbiology and chemistry finally took the
cause genital problems.
frightening threat from the STDs, which have terrorized
millions of "normal" and "famous" people of all social classes
over centuries and has been linked to many scandals.
Moreover, the perception of STDs has turned from a
"personal stroke of fate" into a collectively important issue of
public health.
genital area pain in the scrotum or testicles lumps and
bumps on the genitals. Many people who have an STI do
not develop any symptoms and may not be aware they
have an infection that can be passed on to their sexual
Bacterial
reproductive organs. Others (such as HIV, hepatitis B,
and syphilis) cause general body infections. STIs used to
be called VDs, or venereal diseases.
Parasitic
Pubic lice