Akademik

Sexually transmitted disease

Any disease transmitted by sexual contact; caused by microorganisms that survive on the skin or mucus membranes of the genital area; or transmitted via semen, vaginal secretions, or blood during intercourse. Because the genital areas provide a moist, warm environment that is especially conducive to the proliferation of bacteria, viruses, and yeasts, a great many diseases can be transmitted this way. They include AIDS, chlamydia, genital herpes, genital warts, gonorrhea, syphilis, yeast infections, and some forms of hepatitis. Also known as a morbus venereus or venereal disease. Abbreviated STD. See also sexually transmitted diseases in men, sexually transmitted diseases in women.

* * *

sexually transmitted disease n any of various diseases or infections that can be transmitted by direct sexual contact including some (as syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and genital herpes) chiefly spread by sexual means and others (as hepatitis B and AIDS) often contracted by nonsexual means called also STD

* * *

(STD) an infection transmitted by sexual contact, either heterosexual or homosexual, caused by any of numerous biologically dissimilar pathogens; in some diseases (the classic venereal diseases) sexual transmission is the only important mode of spread, while in others (such as hepatitis, shigellosis, amebiasis, and giardiasis) infection can also be by nonsexual means. Called also venereal d.

Medical dictionary. 2011.