Sexually transmitted diseases syndromes

HIV, human immunodeficiency virus STD, sexually transmitted disease TSS, toxic shock syndrome UTI, urinary tract infection. 

The spectrum of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) includes the classic venereal diseases—gonorrhea, syphilis, chancroid, lymphogranuloma venereum, and granuloma inguinale—as well as a variety of other pathogens known to he spread hy sexual contact (Table 46-1). Common clinical syndromes associated with STDs are listed in Table 46-2. The most current information on epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of STDs provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) can be found at http //www.cdc.gov. 

STD, sexually transmitted disease HIV, human immunodeficiency virus UTI, urinary tract infection PID, pelvic inflammatory disease HDL, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol BV, bacterial vaginosis AIDS, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome IV, intravenous. 

Little or no federal funding is provided to state and local health departments to support the surveillance of general communicable diseases. The ability of the states to support infectious disease surveillance has declined in recent years. A 1993 survey indicated that 12 states had no professional position dedicated to surveillance of foodbome and waterborne diseases (Osterholm et al., 1996). Although most states do have some infectious disease surveillance capacity, it is most often supported by categorical (i.e., disease-specific) funds, for example, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, vaccine-preventable diseases, sexually transmitted diseases. These funds generally cannot be used to support noncategorical communicable disease activities. 

In 1981 the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, Georgia, recognized a new disease syndrome, acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). The syndrome is characterized by an impaired immune system, a variety of opportunistic infections and cancer, and brain damage that results in dementia. It soon became apparent that the disease was being transmitted by blood and blood products, as well as by sexual conduct. 

In 1997, it was estimated that 30 million adults were infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) worldwide, with increments of five people infected every minute. It is estimated that approximately 7% of the population of sub-Saharan Africa has been infected. The incubation of the disease is 7 to 8 years. Currently available drugs for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and HIV are zidovudine, didanosine, lamivudine, and stavudine. The causative agent for AIDS is generally an HIV virus, which is transmitted by sexual contact, blood and blood products, the use of contaminated drug needles, and from mother to fetus. 

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