The Challenge of Sexually Transmitted Diseases for the Military: What Has Changed?

Abstract

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) have been traditionally considered a challenge to military leaders [1]. Historically, women were considered the source of STDs for soldiers, sailors, and marines, and prostitution flourished around military settlements. In 1632, there were reported to be 15,000 “loose women” in camp at the siege of Nuremberg; in 1648, the Imperial and Bavarian Armies consisted of 40,000 soldiers and 140,000 prostitutes and camp-followers [2]. In 1793, Carot drove away 3000 women from his troops at Douai, France, and commented that the diseases transmitted by these women “killed ten times as many men as enemy fire” [2].