Sexually transmitted diseases - An update

Sexually transmitted infections represent an worldwide challenge for the public health. According to WHO estimates, approximately 330 million people are infected annually by curable sexually transmitted infections (AIDS excluded), and their incidence has been increasing, particularly in high-risk populations. Like in other developed countries, the occurrence of venereal diseases in Israel has been increasing recently. In addition, a sharp rise has been observed in the resistance rate of gonococci to fluoroquinolones. The purpose of the present review is to update the information on the epidemiology, diagnosis, therapy and prevention of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in Israel. In response to the reemergence of these diseases in Israel, it was decided in the Ministry of Health to open for the first time ever STD clinics in the two cities with the highest disease burden, namely Tel Aviv and Haifa. These clinics are staffed with a multidisciplinary group of specialists, including gynecologists, dermatologists, epidemiologists, nurses and social workers.