Sexually Transmitted Infections

Abstract

This entry offers an introduction to different sexually transmitted infections (STIs). It discusses four viral STIs, including HIV, HPV, hepatitis B, and genital herpes, and their incidence rates and associated risk factors. It further examines the current social science research and the roles of health communication research on each viral STI. Lastly, it discusses four curable STIs with the highest infection rates worldwide: chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and trichomoniasis. As social science literature rarely examines these curable STIs individually, we discuss the social science research and the roles of health communication research in these curable STIs together.