Sexually transmitted diseases: Introduction

Abstract

Infectious diseases, which are predominantly transmitted through sexual contact, are subsumed under the term sexually transmitted infections. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have replaced the term sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), because infections are often asymptomatic (for example, with chlamydia, gonococci, or human papillomaviruses). The doctrine of sexually transmitted diseases or venereal diseases is called venerology (Venus = Roman goddess of love) and is manifested by the double designation of dermatology and venereology. The differentiation of the broad spectrum of genitoanal skin diseases from STI manifestations in the same localization, but also in the oral cavity and at the remaining integument, is of greatest importance for the field of dermatology.