Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), which can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites, are infections transmitted from an infected person to an uninfected person through oral, anal, and vaginal sexual contact.
The most common STDs include syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia. Untreated STDs can lead to devastating and sometimes long-term complications. Early and rapid di- agnosis of STDs increases the chance to limit the effects of the disease since many STDs have no signs or symp- toms. Due to their inter-relationships with HIV/AIDS, STDs are an important global health priority.
