ABSTRACT
Hepatitis viruses, enteric pathogens, and anorectal infections may commonly be transmitted by various sexual practices. Because of their larger numbers of sexual partners and sexual practices such as anilingus and anal intercourse, homosexual men are at particularly high risk of acquiring hepatitis B, giardiasis, amebiasis, shigellosis, campylobacteriosis, and anorectal infections with Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Treponema pallidum, herpes simplex virus, and human papilloma viruses. The evidence for sexual transmission of these infections as well as their diagnosis and treatment are discussed.
Subject(s)
Hepatitis, Viral, Human/transmission , Intestinal Diseases/transmission , Rectal Diseases/transmission , Sexually Transmitted Diseases/transmission , Amebiasis/transmission , Anus Diseases/transmission , Campylobacter Infections/transmission , Chlamydia Infections/transmission , Coccidiosis/transmission , Dysentery, Bacillary/transmission , Enteritis/transmission , Feces/microbiology , Feces/parasitology , Female , Giardiasis/transmission , Gonorrhea/transmission , Hepatitis A/transmission , Hepatitis B/transmission , Hepatitis C/transmission , Herpes Genitalis/transmission , Homosexuality , Humans , Male , Sexual Behavior , Strongyloidiasis/transmission , Syphilis/transmission , Warts/transmissionSubject(s)
Anus Diseases/transmission , Bacterial Infections/transmission , Rectal Diseases/transmission , Sexually Transmitted Diseases/transmission , Virus Diseases/transmission , Coitus , Condylomata Acuminata/transmission , Female , Hepatitis B/transmission , Herpes Simplex/transmission , Homosexuality , Humans , MaleABSTRACT
About 2-2 1/2 million people do, or will repeatedly, participate in ano-rectal sexual intercourse in Britain alone. The anus and the rectum of these individuals are thus vulnerable to all the sexually transmitted diseases (except trichomoniasis). Male homosexuals appear to be more prone to these conditions than female heterosexuals, possibly because a large minority is indiscriminately promiscuous. Over the last 20 years homosexually acquired infections--particularly syphilis--have increased in Britain; these are now more readily admitted to because of changes in the law and in public opinion. The frequent changes of sexual partner among male homosexuals is the most notable epidemiological factor in the spread of venereal disease.
Subject(s)
Homosexuality , Rectal Diseases/transmission , Sexual Behavior , Sexually Transmitted Diseases/transmission , Anus Diseases/transmission , Female , Gonorrhea/epidemiology , Gonorrhea/transmission , Humans , Male , Sexually Transmitted Diseases/epidemiology , Syphilis/epidemiology , Syphilis/transmission , United KingdomABSTRACT
Because of the form of sexual contact and the number of such contacts among homosexual men, physicians should be watchful for sexually transmitted infections in the homosexual community. Hepatitis B, anorectal gonorrhea, shigellosis, amebiasis, and giardiasis are now known to be among these infections. For treatment to be effective and epidemics avoided, physicians should question affected male patients about their sexual habits and advise abstinence from sexual contact until treatment is finished and cultures or smears are negative.
