HIV/STDs in minority women: educational and medical interventions to alter the spread.

HIV is but one form of sexually transmitted disease (STD). Many of the other STDs, especially those that produce ulcerating lesions, such as herpes simplex, syphilis, and chancroid, are associated with increased shedding of HIV if the individual is seropositive, and with increased risk of infection if a seronegative individual with that type of STD has unprotected intercourse with an HIV-positive partner. Thus, control and treatment of other STDs is very important in the management and prevention of the spread of HIV/AIDS.