The relationship between STI and HIV
The relationship between STIs and HIV is well established. that STI
contributes Numerous studies in last two decades have conclusively shown significantly in both acquisition and transmission of HIV. also alters the natural history of STIs.
HIV infection 1. Biological evidence: It has been well documented that in -infected significantly increases the virus
STT individuals shedding in semen
and in vaginal fluid. Treatment of STIs reduces the duration and number ofHIV viruses shed in semen
and vaginal fluids
2. Association evidence: The association between STI and HIV has been shown in numerous studies. People at risk for STI
have higher prevalence of HIV [4]
3. Epidemiological synergism: When one infection greatly amplifies the spread of another illness, it is called "epidemiologi-
cal snergism'. The epidemiological synergism between HIV and other ST are
A two-way relationship exists between STI and HIV with the two infections greatly amplifying each other. HIV
contributes to the spread of other STIs by prolonging their duration and infectivity while presence of STI
increases chance of transmission of HIV
The role of STI intervention on the reduction of HIV incidence has been shown in many studies. STI interven-
tions, if implemented in early HIV epidemics, can reduce the incidence of HIV as much as 40%. However, STI
intervention studies among populations with generalized HIV epidemics have failed to show significant
reduction of HIV incidence
[3, 6
4. Programmatic similarity: STT and HIV intervention strategies are similar. STI interventions are considered corner stones
for HIV intervention. In principle STI intervention reduces HIV incidence
5. Natural history of infection: HIV infection alters the natural history of STIs such as genital ulcer and chancroid.
