What is a STI?

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), are passed from one person to another through various types of sexual contact. Although more commonly referred to as sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), many of these "diseases" have no symptoms, even when a person is infected. Since people must first be infected before they can have a sexually transmitted disease and some people will never have the disease symptoms, the terminology for STDs has been changing more towards the new term of "STI." Throughout this section of sexually transmitted diseases, we will use both STI and STD to refer to the different types of aliments.

Sexually transmitted infections are among the most common infections in the United States, and they are especially dangerous because many people underestimate their risks. Many STIs are asymptomatic, meaning that an individual may not display any symptoms or the symptoms go unnoticed. Due to their potentially serious effects, it is important for everyone who is engaging in any type of sexual activities to be aware of the different STIs, their symptoms, and treatments. We hope our run-through of the STIs is helpful to you, however, if you believe yourself to be at risk for contracting an STI, it is best to seek the help of a health care professional at a clinic or doctor's office.

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