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Dear Dr. Myrtle,
Can you tell me what things are sexually transmitted? I'm not sure what to be worrying about.
 Although I don't think you should spend a lot of time worrying, here is a pretty complete list of sexually transmissible infections, here's my list. It's pretty inclusive, although I'm sure there are infections that I didn't think of. I like to break things into three different categories because I think about transmission possibilities differently by group. As a general rule, the categories are: viral, bacterial/yeast, and critters like parasites.
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Sexually Transmitted Viral Infections
These infections can be treated by medicines, but cannot be cleared completely out of the body. They can often flare back up when you are sick (a cold, cancer, etc.), or stressed (life, work...).
- Cytomegalovirus, CMV
- Epstein Barr Virus, EBV or Mononucleosis (Mono)
- Herpes Simplex Virus-1, Herpes
- Herpes Simplex Virus-2, Herpes
- Herpes Zoster, Shingles
- Human Papilloma Virus, HPV, or genital or cervical warts
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus, HIV
- HTLV-1, HTLV-2, viruses that can cause muscle weakness
- Hepatitis A, B, C, D, G
- Molluscum contagiosum
Sexually Transmitted Bacterial and Yeast Infections
These sexually transmitted bacterial infections can be treated with antibiotics and other medicines and be completely cleared from the body. Some of them are harder to treat than others, and may require extended treatment.
- Hemophilus ducreyi, Chancroid
- Chlamydia trachomatis
- Neisseria gonorrhea
- Group B-hemolytic streptococcus, Group B Strep
- Treponema pallidum, (syphilis)
- Candida albicans,vaginal yeast infection
- Candida glabrata, atypical yeast infection
- Calymmatobacterium granulomatis, granuloma inguinale
Sexually Transmitted Parasitic Infections
Sexually transmitted parasitic infections are also completely curable with medication. Depending where the parasite has taken up residence, medication might be given by mouth, or might be used in a medicated shampoo or lotion.
- Entaboeba histolytica, Amebiasis (ameoba)
- Phthrirus pubis, Pubic Lice
- Sarcoptes Scabiei, Scabies (Crabs)
- Trichomonas vaginalis, Trich
Dr. Myrtle
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