Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) form a major health problem because of their frequency of occurrence and their potential for chronic morbidity. They result in complications with sequelae such as infertility, ectopic pregnancy, urethral stricture, cervical cancer, congenital syphilis, foetal wastage, low birth weight, prematurity and ophthalmia neonatorum. STIs also facilitate the transmission of the HIV virus.

DIAGNOSIS

In dealing with patients with STIs, privacy and confidentiality are essential especially with respect to history taking and examination.

With most STIs, one cannot usually tell which organism is causing the problem from the history and physical examination alone. Therefore, one must treat, on clinical grounds, the most common causes of the collection of symptoms and signs that are presented (syndromic management).