The office approach to the sexually transmitted diseases: Part II.

All physicians share a responsibility for educating the public in the expanding risks of sexually transmitted diseases, and in the vital importance of safe sexual practices. Both the public health implications of undiagnosed STDs and the adverse social consequences of an incorrect diagnosis emphasize the need to comprehensively and precisely diagnose these diseases, despite the problems encountered in obtaining material for culture. Current interest in AIDS should not obscure the facts that genital herpes continues to increase in prevalence, and that syphilis no longer is declining. The many extragenital syndromes associated with STDs, such as perihepatitis, polyarthritis, and acute septic states make it necessary to evaluate all sexual contacts.