Primary prevention involves avoiding either exposure to sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or acquisition of
infection following exposure; for PID, Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria
gonorrhoeae are the two sexually transmitted pathogens principally implicated. The increased public concern over
the consequences of human immunodeficiency virus infection has already had
an impact on primary prevention. For example, the general level of condom
use among youth has increased, albeit to a relatively small extent.5,6 Finally,while behavioral changes are essential
to primary prevention, immunizing persons against infection is also possible if effective vaccines are available. In part
because of the incurable viral STDs, renewed interest in the development of vaccines against the bacterial infections
of gonorrhea and chlamydia may provide hope for future primary prevention of PID.