Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) News and Research

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Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are infections that you can get from having sex with someone who has the infection. The causes of STDs are bacteria, parasites and viruses.

Parental notification laws concerning contraception would affect teenagers

Rachel K. Jones, Ph.D., and colleagues with the Alan Guttmacher Institute, New York, N.Y., conducted a study in which 1,526 female adolescents younger than 18 years (minors) seeking reproductive health services at 79 national family planning clinics were surveyed between May 2003 and February 2004.

19 Jan 2005

Shakespeare may have had syphilis

Shakespeare’s name usually inspires thoughts of kings, fairies, lovers, wars and poetic genius--not syphilis. However, some passages in his plays and sonnets indicate that the Bard may have suffered from one or more venereal infections, according to an article in the Feb. 1 issue of Clinical Infectious Diseases, now available online.

10 Jan 2005

Easier access to emergency contraception would not increase the risk of STDs

Making it easier to obtain emergency contraception would not increase unprotected intercourse, lead to abandonment of regular contraception, or increase the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), according to a study in the January 5 issue of JAMA.

5 Jan 2005

Targeted screening of high-risk groups for genital herpes may prevent disease transmission

Identifying asymptomatic people with genital herpes infection through targeted screening of high-risk groups may prevent disease transmission. However, widespread screening of pregnant women is unlikely to reduce the occurrence of herpes in newborns, according to an article in the January 1 issue of Clinical Infectious Diseases, now available online.

13 Dec 2004

Rates of HIV/AIDS diagnoses steady in the U.S

Rates of HIV/AIDS diagnoses in the United States stayed steady for the years 2000-2003, but sharp racial disparities remain, according to an analysis of data from 32 states, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced today.

1 Dec 2004

53,000 adults living with HIV/AIDS in the UK

There are now 53,000 adults living with HIV/AIDS in the UK, over a quarter of whom (14,300) remain unaware of their infection according to the Health Protection Agency's annual report on HIV.

29 Nov 2004

Moldova making progress in fight against HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis

Moldova’s early actions to fight HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis are slowing the rise of the country’s dual tuberculosis and AIDS epidemics, the World Bank reports.

29 Nov 2004

Researchers investigate new treatment options, including ways to boost immune responses to better control HIV

Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for the treatment of individuals infected by HIV-1 is limited by high costs, drug resistance, and drug-related toxicities. This has led researchers to investigate new treatment options, including ways to boost immune responses to better control HIV.

25 Oct 2004

Launch of an internet-based HIV/AIDS training resource database

A major barrier to access to care for HIV/AIDS patients in resource limited settings -- the lack of trained healthcare providers -- is now eased with the launch of an internet-based clinical training resource database.

19 Oct 2004

Australian nanotech Starpharma to develop a second generation microbicide for the prevention of infection by HIV

Melbourne-based nanotechnology company Starpharma will lead a consortium to develop a second generation microbicide for the prevention of infection by HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

30 Sep 2004

Adolescent girls that have been physically coerced into sexual intercourse are more likely to have had a sexually transmitted disease

Adolescent girls who say they have been physically coerced into sexual intercourse are more likely to have had a sexually transmitted disease, according to a new study published in the journal Women’s Health Issues.

17 Aug 2004

Survey reveals surprising insights into parental attitudes toward teenage sexual behavior

As an estimated four million American children make the transition from junior high/middle school to high school this fall, a new national survey conducted by the Society for Adolescent Medicine reveals parents' primary concerns as they ready their teenagers for the new school year.

11 Aug 2004

25% of young men tested positive for a sexually transmitted infection (STI)

25% of young men attending a new community sexual health clinic, run by Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust in the heart of Brixton, have tested positive for a sexually transmitted infection (STI).

5 Aug 2004

Home test kit for common sexually transmitted diseases

Researchers at Johns Hopkins have launched the first government-sponsored study to measure the effectiveness of a Web- and community-based home test kit for common sexually transmitted diseases, such as Chlamydia and gonorrhea.

3 Aug 2004

New diagnoses of STIs increased by four per cent from 678,709 in 2002 to 708,083

Overall, new diagnoses of STIs in GUM clinics increased by four per cent from 678,709 in 2002 to 708,083 during 2003. However the picture is variable, with diagnoses of some infections such as chlamydia and syphilis increasing, and diagnoses of gonorrhoea and genital herpes declining.

27 Jul 2004

British Government needs to get its act together to tackle the soaring rates of sexually transmitted infections

The Chairman of the British Medical Association, Mr James Johnson, has called on the Government to get its act together to tackle the soaring rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The Health Protection Agency (HPA) figures for 2003 released today [27 July] show that STI rates are still on the increase in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

27 Jul 2004

Young holidaymaker's traveling overseas face serious health issues from casual sex

A paper published this week in the British Medical Journal says that young holidaymaker's traveling overseas face serious health issues from casual sex, and even goes as far as to suggest that some could be at risk of death.

23 Jul 2004

New compound that is designed to overcome Gleevec resistance

One of the truly spectacular success stories in modern oncology is the development and implementation of Gleevec, a drug that virtually halts the progress of chronic myeloid leukemia. Yet for some patients who harbor particularly stubborn genetic mutations, Gleevec fails miserably.

17 Jul 2004

Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has caused a major divide among participants of the AIDS Conference in Thailand

The president of Uganda, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has caused a major divide among participants at the 15th International AIDS Conference in Thailand by stating that abstinence and marriage are the best ways to stop the spread of the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

12 Jul 2004

Widespread prenatal HIV screening and use of antiretroviral drugs in pregnant HIV-infected women is needed

Rapid testing during labor can enable pregnant women with undocumented HIV status to learn their HIV infection status so they can receive antiretroviral prophylaxis and be referred for comprehensive medical care and follow-up according to a report in the current issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

11 Jul 2004