A study of HIV/STD infections amongst commercial sex workers in Kolkata (India). Part-III, clinical features of sexually transmitted diseases.

The clinical features of sexually transmitted disease (STD) infection in female sex workers found in a community based study in different red light areas of Kolkata are discussed in this paper. Out of 867 sex workers clinically examined in the clinics in their respective areas, 80.16% were having different signs and symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases. The vaginal discharge was the commonest feature present in 49.6% sex workers. The chronic vaginal discharge of more than a month was found in 47.44%, while 37.90% sex workers had vaginal discharge of less than one month. The genital ulcer was present in 25.03% (217) sex workers. The other sexually transmitted infection that was found includes genital warts 13.73%, scabies 12.11 and Inguinal bubo in 1.73% sex workers. The sex workers were also having other symptoms e.g. chronic weight loss, prolonged fever and chronic diarrhoea in 13.73% (119), 10.03% (87) and in 1.96% (17) sex workers respectively.