The diseases which are spread by sexual contact with an infected person are called sexually transmitted diseases (or STD). Thus, a healthy person can get STD by making sexual contact with an infected person. Some of the common sexually transmitted diseases are:

(i) Gonorrhoea,

(ii) Syphilis, and

(iii) AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome).

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Gonorrhoea and syphilis are caused by bacteria. The bacteria which cause these diseases spread through sexual contact with an infected person. The most common symptoms of these sexually transmitted diseases are burning sensation at urination, passing of urethral discharge (containing pus) and sores in the genitals.

Gonorrhoea and syphilis are curable diseases. AIDS disease is caused by a virus called HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). AIDS damages the body’s immune system so that the body becomes weak and cannot protect itself against infection. So, AIDS is a very dangerous disease which leads to death. No definite cure has been found for the AIDS disease so far.