Sexually transmitted infections

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Sexually transmitted diseases include infectious diseases, whose spread is closely linked to intercourse and other sexual practices. It is transmitted by mucous secretions, blood, saliva or semen. They primarily affect the genital system, possibly the urinary tract or other organs. The most common STDs include: syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydial infection (lymphogranuloma venereum), trichomoniasis, HPV infection, genital herpes (HSV), HIV infection a viral hepatitis type B.


In recent years, there has been a worldwide increase in the incidence of this disease (approx. 375 million newly infected annually).


Compulsory reporting: syphilis, gonorrhea, lymfogranuloma venereum and HIV/AIDS.[1]

Sexually transmitted infections and their agents
Disease Agent
Bacterial Gonorrhea – gonorrhea Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Syphilis – lues Treponema pallidum
Ulcus molle – Chancroid Haemophilus ducreyi
Granuloma inguinale – donovanosis Calymmatobacterium granulomatis
Chlamydia Chlamydia trachomatis
Mycoplasma Mycoplazma hominis, M. genitalium
Ureaplasma Ureaplasma urealyticum
Viral HIV/AIDS Human Immunodeficiency Virus
Viral hepatitis type B Hepatitis B virus
Herpes genitalis Herpes simplex virus 1, 2
Condylomata accuminata Human papillomavirus
Molluscum contagiosum Molluscum contagiosum virus MCV
Yeast Candida infections Candida albicans
Parasitic Pediculosis pubis Pthirus pubis
Scabies – scabies Sarcoptes scabiei
Protozoan Trichomonad vulvovaginitis Trichomonas vaginalis
Chlamydia trachomatis
Chlamydia trachomatis
A common infection in women that also affects the cervix. Clinically, it manifests as a mucopurulent discharge, but the majority of those infected are symptomatic. In women, we usually encounter vaginitis (unpleasant itching of the genitals with discharge) and cervicitis, next there can be Salpingitis, endometritis or involvement of the pelvic organs can also occur . In men, the typical manifestation is urethritis (excretion of secretions), but conjunctivitis, proctitis, epididymitis and prostatitis can also occur. In both sexes, it can manifest as lymphogranuloma venerum (rare in the Czech Republic).
Trichomoniasis
Trichomoniasis
Gonorrhea occurs in both women and men. In addition to purulent inflammation of the urethra, it manifests itself as cervicitis and salphingitis and, depending on the method of sexual intercourse, as proctitis, pharyngitis and conjunctivitis.
Untreated, it can even cause inflammation of the joints, endocarditis or purulent infection of the pelvic floor. It can also be the cause of septic abortion.
Trichomoniasis
It also occurs in both women and men. In women, it is manifested by a characteristic foamy, smelly discharge.
Yeast infections
In the case of yeast infections, there is a so-called "ping-pong" transmission from partners, which means that it is necessary to treat the sexual partner/s as well.
Mycoplasma hominis
A bacterium that often colonizes the urogenital tract. It causes urethritis, prostatitis, endometritis or neonatal pneumonia.
HPV (human papillomavirus)
A set of many virus serotypes that cause a diverse clinical picture. Sexually transmitted types tend to be risk factors for cervical, laryngeal or colorectal cancer. Clinically, they manifest as papillomas, verruca vulgaris, hyperplasia of the mucous membranes, or as condylomata accuminatum in the area of the vulva and anus.
We use vaccination for primary prevention (Cervarix – against 2 serotypes, covered by the insurance company for girls and boys between 13-14 years old; Gardasil 9 – against 9 serotypes)
Herpes genitalis (HSV)
After contracting this infection, the penis or labia are affected superficially.
Bacterial vaginosis
Typical fluoride with a "fishy smell". It occurs mainly in women, in men it causes maximum pain in the urethra.
Syphilis (Lues)
A chronic, systemic disease with a characteristic course of alternating symptomatic and asymptomatic periods.
Molluscum contagiosum
Molluscum contagiosum are proliferative infections on or around the genitals.

Selected sexually transmitted diseases and principles of therapy[edit | edit source]

Disease Agent Example of treatment
Gonorrhoea Neisseria gonorrhoeae Cefriaxone, Azithromycin
Urethritis Chlamydia trachomatis Tetracycline
Ureaplasma urealyticum Fluoroquinolone
Vaginitis Candida albicans Fluconazole
Trichomonas vaginalis Metronidazole
Vaginosis Gardnerella vaginalis Metronidazole
Syphilis Treponema pallidum Penicillin
Ulcus molle Haemophilus ducreyi Ceftriaxone, azithromycin
Granuloma inguinale Calymmatobacterium granulomatis Tetracycline, erythromycin
Pelvic floor inflammatory disease Chlamydia trachomatis Tetracycline, erythromycin
Herpes genitalis Herpes virus hominis Aciclovir
Condyloma accuminatum Papillomavirus Topical treatment
AIDS HIV Zidovudine, Nevirapine

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References[edit | edit source]

  1. KUBICOVÁ, M. Pohlavně přenosné nemoci u dospívajících. Pediatrie pro praxi. 2015, y. 16, no. 6, p. 404-409, 
  • SCHINDLER, Jiří. Mikrobiologie pro studenty zdravotnických oborů. 1. edition. Grada, 2010. ISBN 978-80-247-3170-4.