Sexually transmitted infections
(STIs)
These are infections that manifest after sexual contact. The microbes pass into the organism from person-to-person via the blood, sperm, vaginal secretions or other body fluids.
Occasionally, transmission may take place through blood transfusions, common syringe use and, of course, from a mother to her child in utero, during parturition (at birth) or during breastfeeding.
It is common that people may be carrying a venereal disease and be unaware while seeming entirely healthy.
The most common sexually transmitted infections are:
- Genital herpes
- Trichomonas vaginalis
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhoea
- Syphilis
- Human papilloma virus (HPV)
- AIDS