[An STI rarely comes alone-An overview of sexually transmitted infections].

Sexually transmitted infections (STI) or sexually transmitted diseases (STD) can be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa and arthropods. The most frequent bacterial STIs include Chlamydia infections, syphilis and gonorrhea; viral STIs include herpes genitalis (herpes simplex virus 1 and 2), human papillomavirus (HPV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). An empathetic medical history taking in cases of a clinical suspicion can provide important information for adequate diagnostics. When an STI is detected, a complete screening for other STIs should be carried out. The STIs result in a wide variety of symptoms and it is often difficult to make a clear diagnosis to a certain pathogen based on the clinical symptoms. To avoid reinfections, it is recommended to also test recent sexual partners. For certain pathogens highly effective postexposure prophylaxis or preventive vaccinations are available.