HIV/AIDS & Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)

STDs & HIV Infection

Studies have shown that other sexually transmitted diseases, also called sexually transmitted infections (STIs), increase the risk for HIV infection. Safer sex is important for preventing the transmission of all STDs, including HIV, and for reducing the risk for HIV infection.

The higher risk associated with STDs, especially conditions that damage the genital mucosa and expose areas where HIV can contact lymphocytes, suggests that treating or preventing STDs can help prevent AIDS. Studies are being conducted to evaluate the impact of aggressive STD prevention programs on HIV transmission.

Genital Herpes

Genital herpes, also known as herpes simplex virus (HSV), causes painful sores on the labia, the inside of the vaginal canal, and the cervix in women, and on the penis and scrotum in men. Genital herpes is caused by the same virus that causes oral herpes. When the outbreaks recur, the sores always appear in the same place. Patients who have been infected more than once develop recurring sores in more than one place.

In some cases, patients feel itching and soreness before the actual herpes outbreak. Women who have genital herpes should be especially aware of these early symptoms since treatment is much more effective if it is started early in the course of the outbreak.

Treatment for genital herpes is the same as for oral herpes. Several oral medicines, including famcyclovir (Famvir®), valacyclovir (Valtrex®) and acyclovir (Zovirax®), can be effective, especially when started at the earliest sign of an outbreak. Alternatively, topical creams and ointments can be used to treat outbreaks, although they usually are not as effective as pills. Patients who experience frequent outbreaks may take continual small doses of famcyclovir, valacyclovir, or acyclovir to help prevent recurrences.

Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection. It can be transmitted through sexual contact when the infected partner has open sores or is feeling the itching, burning, or tingling sensations that occur before the sores appear. People who have herpes and have open sores or pre-outbreak itchiness should not have sex. Not only can they transmit the disease, but they also can spread their own infection to a larger area.