MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: STDs and ecological niches

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STDs and ecological niches

Many sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs) invade the host and reside for long periods of time without killing the host. A good example is syphilis, which may reside in its host for 30 to 50 years. HIV also can take 10 or more years to kill its host, allowing plenty of time to spread the infection.

Update Date: 6/22/2000

Updated by: J. Gordon Lambert, MD, Associate Medical Director; G. Eric Morgan, MS3; Cynthia Godsey, MHSE, MSN, FNP-C, Director of Product Content, RxRemedy

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