ABSTRACT
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) have been a medical and public health concern for generations. human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)has been shown to be synergistic with some STDs accelerating their progression and severity. This chapter reviews common STDs and pays particular attention to the ways in which the disease interacts with HIV. The genital ulcerative diseases herpes simplex virus, syphilis, and chancroid have all been associated with an increased risk of acquiring and transmitting HIV. The interactions of syphilis with HIV were recognized as early as 1987, when a case series described HIV-infected patients with syphilis that was either rapidly progressive or refractory to appropriate therapy. The presentation of those infected with both HIV and chancroid does not different markedly from that of non-HIV-infected chancroid patients. The ulcers of donovanosis may be difficult to distinguish clinically from the chancre of primary syphilis, the ulcer of chancroid, or large HIV-associated herpetic ulcers.
