Sexually transmitted diseases

The paper reviews the most common
 sexually transmitted infections, and stresses some problems generally connected with these disorders. They represent an important medical issue worldwide. Neisseria gonorrhoeae and
 Treponema pallidum, the two most common causative organisms in the past, have surrendered their leading position to chlamydias, 
papilloma viruses and herpes viruses. The incidence of sexually transmitted diseases keeps increasing despite advanced diagnostic techniques and modern antimicrobial therapy. Etiological diagnosis of sexually transmitted diseases is difficult to establish. It is imperative to
 make early diagnosis and initiate proper therapy in order to prevent serious complications and even death. Tracing epidemiological contacts is very important, yet often difficult because of the mode of transmission. Management of sexually transmitted diseases in
 Slovenia leaves much to be desired: patients 
with them are treated by various specialists,
 many cases remain undiagnosed, or are not
 properly treated, there is a lack of accurate
 epidemiologic data. This situation calls for the setting up of a special outpatient clinic for patients with sexually transmitted diseases.