The Presentation, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Sexually Transmitted Infections
- PMID: 26931526
- PMCID: PMC4746407
- DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.2016.0011
The Presentation, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Sexually Transmitted Infections
Abstract
Background: The reported incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in Germany is rising. For example, the number of new reported cases of syphilis rose from 3034 in 2010 to 4410 in 2012.
Methods: This review is based on pertinent articles retrieved by a selective search in MEDLINE, and on guidelines and systematic reviews from Germany and abroad.
Results: We discuss sexually transmitted infections presenting with genital, anal, perianal, or oral ulcers, urethritis, cervicitis, urethral or vaginal discharge, or genital warts. We also discuss sexually transmitted infection with HIV and the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Acquired sexually transmitted infections elevate the risk of transmission of other sexually transmitted infections; thus, patients presenting for the diagnosis or treatment of any kind of sexually transmitted infection should be evaluated for others as well. For most of these diseases, treatment of the patient's sexual partner(s) is indicated. Diagnostic nucleic acid amplification techniques are over 90% sensitive and specific and are generally the best way to detect the responsible pathogen. Factors impeding effective treatment include antibiotic resistance (an increasing problem) and the late diagnosis of HIV and HCV infections.
Conclusion: Sexually transmitted infections are common around the world, and any such infection increases the patient's risk of contracting other types of sexually transmitted infection. Molecular genetic diagnostic techniques should be made widely available.
Figures




Comment in
-
Morphological Variants Forgotten.Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2016 Jul 1;113(26):460. doi: 10.3238/arztebl.2016.0460a. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2016. PMID: 27412991 Free PMC article. No abstract available.
-
Co-factor Ureaplasma urealyticum.Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2016 Jul 1;113(26):460. doi: 10.3238/arztebl.2016.0460b. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2016. PMID: 27412992 Free PMC article. No abstract available.
References
-
- WHO. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) 2013. Fact Sheet N. 110. www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs110/en/ (last accessed on 10 November 2015)
-
- Robert Koch-Institut. Sechs Jahre STD-Sentinel Surveillance in Deutschland - Zahlen und Fakten. Epidemiologisches Bulletin. 2010;3:20–27.
-
- Bremer V, Brockmeyer N, Coenenberg J, et al. AWMF. Leitlinie STI/STD- Beratung, Diagnostik und Therapie. www.awmf.org/uploads/tx_szleitlinien/059-006l_S1_STI_STD-Beratung_2015-0.... 2014 (last accessed on 10 December 2015)
Publication types
MeSH terms
LinkOut - more resources
Full Text Sources
Other Literature Sources
Medical