A sexually transmitted infection (STI) is caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi, or parasites that can be contracted through sexual activity. While you might also hear the term sexually transmitted disease (STD), STI is increasingly used by healthcare professionals and organizations like the CDC. This shift in terminology emphasizes the importance of identifying and treating infections early, before they develop into diseases with noticeable symptoms. The main goal in public health is to prevent infections from progressing to disease, making early detection and treatment of STIs crucial. While STD is still used in some contexts, particularly when referencing older data, STI is the preferred term for current discussions and prevention efforts.
Types of STIs
There are many different types of STIs. These infections are primarily spread through sexual contact.
Signs and Symptoms of STIs
Many STIs can be present without causing any noticeable symptoms, or they may only cause very mild symptoms. This means a person can have an STI and not be aware of it. This lack of obvious symptoms is why regular STI testing is so important for sexually active individuals. If you test positive for an STI, it’s important to know that effective treatments are available for all STIs, and many are completely curable with medication.
How STIs are Spread
STIs are transmitted from one person to another through various forms of sexual contact, including vaginal, oral, and anal sex. It’s also possible, though less common, for STIs to spread through intimate physical contact like heavy petting.
Conditions Related to STIs
Several health conditions are frequently transmitted sexually, including:
Other conditions can sometimes be spread through sexual contact, though not exclusively:
It’s important to note that certain diseases like Zika, Ebola, and mpox can be transmitted sexually, but they are more commonly spread through non-sexual routes.
