Meaning and usage of the word venereal in English

The term "venereal" derives from the Latin word "Venus," which was the Roman goddess of love, beauty, and fertility. In the Middle Ages, when Italians learned about sexually transmitted infections (STIs) from the Byzantine and Arab worlds, they associated them with Venus since they believed that these diseases could result from excessive desire and consequent extramarital affairs. In the 16th century, when the term "venereal" was adopted in the English language, it referred solely to gonorrhea, the most prevalent STI at that time. Later, in the 18th century, "venereal" was expanded to include syphilis, a more severe and deadly STI that was first identified in Italy. Initially, the term "venereal" carried a pejorative connotation due to its association with transgression against traditional sexual norms. However, over time, as medical knowledge advanced, and antibiotics were developed to treat STIs, the term became a clinical term that encompassed all sexually transmitted diseases, regardless of whether they were connected to immoral behavior. Today, it is used interchangeably with the term "sexually transmitted infection" or "STI" in medical contexts.