Introduction to Sexually Transmitted Diseases

• Most STDs are asymptomatic
• Screening is essential to prevent transmission and reduce morbidity
• Joint guidelines from the CDC and other national organizations recommend all HIV-infected patients should be^{[CDC STD]}:
  • Assessed for sexual and drug-using risk behaviors at every visit
  • Screened at least annually for common STDs using the most sensitive tests (Table 1)
    • More frequent screening is advised in patients at high risk, eg, quarterly in MSM who report unprotected anal intercourse^{[CDC 2004a]}
• Condom use and other behavioral and biomedical interventions are effective in protecting HIV-infected persons from new STDs^{[Lin 2008]}
• Current trends of STDs in HIV care settings include the following:
  • A syphilis epidemic among MSM
  • Progressive increases in antibiotic-resistant gonorrhea
  ...

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