J Korean Med Assoc.  2008 Oct;51(10):875-883. 10.5124/jkma.2008.51.10.875.

Diagnosis and Clinical Symptoms of Sexually Transmitted Diseases

• Kim SW

• KMID: 2065027
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5124/jkma.2008.51.10.875

Abstract

Screening and detecting sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) is a form of secondary prevention, which interrupts further transmission as well as progression of the infection and its sequelae. Unfortunately, primary prevention, by means of education and taking safe sex partners, has not been enough to significantly curb the prevalence and high cost of STDs. Bacterial STDs are decreasing in their prevalence whereas the prevalence of viral STDs has increased significantly in recent years. The differential diagnosis for genital ulcers, urethritis, and genital warts is very important. For example, syphilis, chancroid, lymphogranuloma venereum, and herpes simplex for genital ulcer are mistaken for other causes such as Behcet's syndrome, drug eruption, erythema multiforme, amebiasis, trauma, and carcinoma. Confirmatory testings made by cultures, PCR, or serologic studies are important for appropriate treatment and eradication of the disease in both patients and their partners. The physicians treating STDs should make special efforts to be sure that his or her methods of diagnosis and treatment reflect the latest knowledge, since the epidemiologic characteristics and treatment trends are rapidly changing based on newly appearing resistant strains.

Keyword

Sexually transmitted disease (STD); Infection; Genital organ

MeSH Terms

Amebiasis
Behcet Syndrome
Chancroid
Condylomata Acuminata
Diagnosis, Differential
Drug Eruptions
Erythema Multiforme
Genitalia
Herpes Simplex
Humans
Lymphogranuloma Venereum
Mass Screening
Methylmethacrylates
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Polystyrenes
Prevalence
Primary Prevention
Safe Sex
Secondary Prevention
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Syphilis
Ulcer
Urethritis
Methylmethacrylates
Polystyrenes

Reference

1. Centers for Disease Control an Prevention. Sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelines. 2006. MMWR. 2006. 55(RR-11):1–94.

2. Sullak PJ. Sexually transmitted diseases. Semin Reprod Med. 2003. 21:399–413.

3. Hong SC, Park HJ, Kwon CK. Comparison of Chlamydia trachomatis antigen detection rate between endourethral swab and urine examination. Korean J Urol. 1995. 36:1220–1224.

4. Park YG, Lee SY, Oh JS. Detection of Chlamydia trachomatis in non-gonococcal urethritis by polymerase chain reaction. Korean J Urol. 1996. 37:197–202.

5. Cho JS, Sang SK. Doxycycline in the treatment of non-gonococcal urethritis. Korean J Urol. 1996. 37:1015–1020.

6. U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Screening for chlamydial infection: recommendations and rationale. Am J Prev Med. 2001. 20:3S. 90–94.

7. Lee SJ, Ha US, Kim SW, Cho YH, Yoon MS. Prevalence of Chlamydial and Gonococcal infections and sexual behavior in university students in Korea. Korean J Urol. 2004. 45:707–713.

8. Kamwendo F, Forslin L, Bodin L, Danielson D. Decreasing incidences of gonorrhea and chlamydia associated acute pelvic inflammatory disease. A 25-year study from an urban area of central Sweden. Sex Transm Dis. 1996. 23:384–391.

9. Lee GH, Shim JH, Byun YM, Kim HK. Evaluation of a rapid test for detection of Chlamydia trachomatis infection in female commercial sex workers. Korean J Urol. 2006. 47:978–981.

10. Noh MC, Park SS. Detection rate of Chlamydia trachomatis by enzyme immunoassay technique in the sexually transmitted disease. Korean J Urol. 1991. 32:965–969.

11. Park TH, Kim TK. Detection Rate of Mycoplasma genitalium in patients with sexually transmitted urethritis. Korean J Urol. 2001. 42:356–363.

12. Dicarlo RP, Martin DH. The clinical diagnosis of genital ulcer disease in men. Clin Infect Dis. 1997. 25:292–298.

13. Abeck D, Ballad RC. Chancroid. Curr Probl Dermatol. 1996. 24:90–96.

14. Engelberg R, Carrell D, Krantz E, Corey L, Wald A. Natural history of genital herpes simplex virus 1 infection. Sex Trasmit Dis. 2002. 78:160–165.

15. Roberts CM, Pfister JR, Spear SJ. Increasing proportion of herpes simplex virus type 1 as a cause of genital herpes infection in collage students. Sex Trasmit Dis. 2003. 30:801–802.

16. Scoular A, Using the. optimising the use of diagnostic tests and information provision. Sex Trasmit Infect. 2002. 78:160–165.

17. Scoular A, Gillespie G, Carman WF. Polymerase chain reaction for diagnosis of genital herpes in genitourinary medicine clinic. Sex Trasmit Infect. 2002. 78:21–25.

18. Clark G, Danbolr N. The Oslo study of the natural course of untreated syphilis: an epidemiologic investigation based on re-study of the Boeck-Bruusgaard material. Med Clin North Am. 1964. 48:613–623.

19. Garnett GP, Aral SO, Hoyle DV, Cates W Jr, Anderson RM. The natural history of syphilis: implications for the transmission dynamics and control of infection. Sex Transm Dis. 1997. 24:185–200.

20. Rompalo AM, Joesoef MR, O'Donnell JA, Augenbraun M, Brady W, Radolf JD, Johnson R, Rolfs RT. Syphilis and HIV Study Group. Clinical manifestations of early syphilis by HIV status and gender: results of the syphilis and HIV study. Sex Transm Dis. 2001. 28:158–165.

21. Hutchinson CM, Hook EW 3rd, Shepherd M, Verley J, Rompalo AM. Altered clinical presentation of early syphilis in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection. Ann Intern Med. 1994. 121:94–100.

22. Rosahn P. Autopsy studies of syphilis. J Vener Dis. 1947. 649:S. 1–67.

23. Romanowski B, Sutherland R, Fick GH, Mooney D, Love EJ. Serologic response to treatment of infectious syphilis. Ann Intern Med. 1991. 114:1005–1009.

24. Pope V. use of treponemal tests to screen for syphilis. Infect Med. 2004. 21:399–402.

25. Retiano M. Counselling patients with genital warts. Am J Med. 1997. 102:38–43.