HIV and sexually transmitted diseases

PREVIEW

The relationship between HIV infection and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) has been pursued at the biologic, clinical, and epidemiologic levels for more than 20 years, from the first studies showing that AIDS was an STD to the most recent findings demonstrating how STDs can increase the viral load and infectiousness of HIV and alter the immunologic control of HIV infection. In this article, the authors review the evidence for STD control as a compelling strategy for HIV prevention. They also highlight the importance of STD screening in the clinical care of patients with HIV infection.