Reproductive tract infections (RTis) have become a silent epidemic that
is devastating women's lives. Each year, thousands of women die
needlessly from the consequences of these infections, including cervical
cancer, ectopic pregnancy, acute and chronic infections of the uterus
and the fallopian tubes, and puerperal infections. For many women, this
happens because they receive medical attention too late, if at all. The
terrible irony of this tragedy is that early diagnosis of and treatment
for many RTis do not require high-technology health care. For the
hundreds of millions of women with chronic RTis acquired from their
sexual partners, life can become a living hell. Infection is a major
cause of infertility, and it leads to scorn and rejection in many
countries. These women may experience constant pain, have festering
lesions of the genital tract, be at enhanced risk of second- ary
diseases, and endure social ostracism. The problems associated with RT!s
have grown even greater in the past decade with the emergence of human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and AIDS. Preexisting sexually transmitted
disease, particularly when associated with genital tract ulcers, raises
women's vulnerability to the transmission of HIV 3-5 fold.