Genital ulcerative diseases (GUD) and STIs in general

Published: 07 April 2009

Some studies have looked at the effects of ulcerative genital disease or of STIs in general, rather than individual infections. Genital ulcerative disease (GUD) refers to any kind of disease resulting in genital ulcers. This includes a number of STIs including herpes, syphilis, chancroid and gonorrhoea, although herpes is the most common.

HIV-positive people with GUD typically have very high HIV viral loads, meaning that there is a much greater risk of HIV transmission during unprotected sex. HIV-negative people with GUD are also at much higher risk of HIV infection. One study found that GUD increases risk of HIV infection five-fold in South African men.1 Another recent study of MSM in the UK found that any recent sexually transmitted infection increased the risk of transmitting HIV transmission to a sexual partner by 181%.2

References

  1. Paz-Bailey G et al. High HIV incidence among men with genital ulcers in South Africa. Seventeenth International AIDS Conference, Mexico City, abstract MOAX0503, 2008
  2. Fisher M et al. HIV transmission amongst men who have sex with men: association with antiretroviral therapy, infection stage, viraemia and STDs in a longitudinal phylogenetic study. Sixteenth Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections, Montreal, 2009
This content was checked for accuracy at the time it was written. It may have been superseded by more recent developments. NAM recommends checking whether this is the most current information when making decisions that may affect your health.
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This content was checked for accuracy at the time it was written. It may have been superseded by more recent developments. NAM recommends checking whether this is the most current information when making decisions that may affect your health.

NAM’s information is intended to support, rather than replace, consultation with a healthcare professional. Talk to your doctor or another member of your healthcare team for advice tailored to your situation.