SEXUALLY RELATED DISEASES – INTRODUCTION
Scabies may be acquired by any skin contact between individuals and is not always spread by sexual contact. It is due to infestation by a small mite which burrows into the skin and lays its eggs.
The pubic louse is usually, but not exclusively, spread by sexual contact. These lice inhabit the hair in the pubic area, but in hairy men may extend to the hair on the abdomen or thighs. Occasionally, these lice are seen in the eyebrows.
The hepatitis  virus has been shown to be spread by sexual contact. Hepatitis A or infectious hepatitis is usually spread by contamination by faeces as the virus is shed through the bowel. The  virus has a longer incubation and may also be spread by contamination with blood. This can occur in hospital workers and by drug addicts using the same needle.
Recently it has been shown that infectious mononucleosis or glandular fever can be spread by sexual contact.
While it is possible for any of the sexually transmitted diseases to be acquired by contact other than sexual, this is unusual. Certainly the old belief of infection from toilet seats is no longer believed.
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