Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsThe DifferenceInfection vs. DiseaseTypesSymptomsHow to TestTreatmentFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
The Difference
Infection vs. Disease
Types
Symptoms
How to Test
Treatment
Frequently Asked Questions
Asexually transmitted disease (STD)is a disease that is primarily spread through sexual contact.The term STD might be used interchangeably withsexually transmitted infection (STI).
For those who make a distinction, such as Dr. Cornelius Reitmeijer, director of the Denver STD/HIV Prevention Training Center, there is one main difference between the terms.An STI is an infection usually acquired through sexual activity that may or may not display symptoms and become a sexually transmitted disease (STD).
This article will discuss the difference between STI and STD, as well as types, symptoms, tests, and treatment.
STDs begin as sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Infection occurs when a sexually transmitted bacteria, virus, or other microbe enters the body and begins multiplying. Once established, the infection may progress into a disease (an STD).
While this distinction can be made, in practice the terms are interchangeable according to most health authorities, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The American Sexual Health Association notes there has been a shift toward using STI, but there is no consensus in the medical and public health community.
Dr. H. Hunter Handsfield wrote in a 2015 commentary in the journalSexually Transmitted Diseasesthat STD became standard terminology in the 1970s, in part to get away from the stigmatized term “venereal disease” (VD).
A decade later, STI was introduced, in part because there were many such infections that didn’t appear to progress to disease. However, it is now recognized that some STIs that have few or no symptoms at the outset can lead to significant complications, such as infertility or cancer. Handsfield notes that this undercuts the rationale for using the term STI.
Another reason given for the distinction is that some think STI carries less stigma than STD, and therefore people might be more likely to seek screening for these infections. However, research into whether this is a significant effect is mixed.
STDs are diseases that result from STIs. All STDs start out as infections.Pathogens, which are disease-causing organisms such as viruses and bacteria, enter the body and begin multiplying. When these pathogens disrupt normal body functions, they produce diseases.
It’s important to note that some STIs may never develop into diseases. For example, mosthuman papillomavirus(HPV) cases go away on their own without causing health problems. However, HPV can producegenital wartsorcervical cancer, which are diseases.
Common types of STIs and STDs include:
Common Question From People with STIs
Symptoms associated with STDs vary depending on the type of infection. The onset of symptoms can take days, weeks, or even years to appear, but not everyone develops symptoms. Once symptoms are noticeable, the STI has produced a disease.
If you are symptomatic for an STI, you may experience:
If an STI becomes an STD, symptoms can vary. Some may be similar to the above while others can be different and, sometimes, more serious. These include:
Some people may mistake symptoms of an STD for aurinary tractoryeast infection. If you’re uncertain about the cause of your symptoms, consult a healthcare provider.
Yeast Infection or STD?
Your healthcare provider may use some or all of the following tests to determine the type of STI you have. These tests include:
How Common Are STIs?The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that one in five people in the United States have an STI or STD, and almost half of those cases occur in people ages 15 to 24.
How Common Are STIs?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that one in five people in the United States have an STI or STD, and almost half of those cases occur in people ages 15 to 24.
Rapid STD Testing
How Do I Prevent an STI?Prevention is the best way to prevent an STI. Protective devices likecondomsanddental damscan significantly reduce the risk of spreading an STI. There are also vaccines for certain infections, specificallyHPVand thehepatitis B virus.
How Do I Prevent an STI?
Prevention is the best way to prevent an STI. Protective devices likecondomsanddental damscan significantly reduce the risk of spreading an STI. There are also vaccines for certain infections, specificallyHPVand thehepatitis B virus.
STD Treatment
Summary
There are several tests a healthcare provider can use to determine the type of STI you have. Antibiotics may be used to treat and cure bacterial STIs. Viral infections may be managed with antivirals or antiretrovirals but are not usually curable.
A Word From Verywell
Although STIs are fairly common, abstaining from sex, wearing protective devices, and getting tested are effective ways to protect yourself and your partner from an STI infection and the symptoms that may arise if it progresses to an STD.
Depending on the type of STD test you took, results can be returned in as little as 30 minutes (rapid HIV test). However, most results are returned within one to three days for blood, urine, or saliva tests.Learn MoreHow STDs Are Diagnosed
Depending on the type of STD test you took, results can be returned in as little as 30 minutes (rapid HIV test). However, most results are returned within one to three days for blood, urine, or saliva tests.
Learn MoreHow STDs Are Diagnosed
Learn MoreBest At-Home STI Tests
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common STI/STD in the United States.Learn MoreThe Most Common Sexually Transmitted Diseases
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common STI/STD in the United States.
Learn MoreThe Most Common Sexually Transmitted Diseases
An STI or STD can lead to serious pregnancy complications, including miscarriage, stillbirth, and birth defects. Some of these problems may be seen at birth; others may not be discovered until months or years later. Therefore, it is important to get regular STI or STD testing early in pregnancy until close to delivery.Learn MoreSigns and Symptoms of STDs
An STI or STD can lead to serious pregnancy complications, including miscarriage, stillbirth, and birth defects. Some of these problems may be seen at birth; others may not be discovered until months or years later. Therefore, it is important to get regular STI or STD testing early in pregnancy until close to delivery.
Learn MoreSigns and Symptoms of STDs
11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.Sexually transmitted infections.Rietmeijer CA.You say STD….Sex Transm Dis. 2015;42(9):469. doi:10.1097/OLQ.0000000000000324American Sexual Health Association.STDs A to Z.Handsfield HH.Sexually transmitted diseases, infections, and disorders: what’s in a name?Sex Transm Dis. 2015;42(4):169. doi:10.1097/OLQ.0000000000000251Handsfield HH, Rietmeijer CA.STI versus STD: coda.Sex Transm Dis. 2017;44(11):712-713. doi:10.1097/OLQ.0000000000000717Shannon C, Klausner J.The growing epidemic of sexually transmitted infections in adolescents: a neglected population.Current Opinion Pediatrics. 2018;30(1):137-143. doi:10.1097/MOP.0000000000000578World Health Organization.Sexually transmitted infections (STIs).Office on Women’s Health.Sexually transmitted infections.MedlinePlus.Sexually transmitted infections.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sexually transmitted infections prevalence, incidence, and cost estimates in the United States.Workowski KA, Bachmann LH, Chan PA, et al.Sexually transmitted infections treatment guidelines, 2021.MMWR Recomm Rep. 2021;70(4):1-187. doi:10.15585/mmwr.rr7004a1
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.Sexually transmitted infections.Rietmeijer CA.You say STD….Sex Transm Dis. 2015;42(9):469. doi:10.1097/OLQ.0000000000000324American Sexual Health Association.STDs A to Z.Handsfield HH.Sexually transmitted diseases, infections, and disorders: what’s in a name?Sex Transm Dis. 2015;42(4):169. doi:10.1097/OLQ.0000000000000251Handsfield HH, Rietmeijer CA.STI versus STD: coda.Sex Transm Dis. 2017;44(11):712-713. doi:10.1097/OLQ.0000000000000717Shannon C, Klausner J.The growing epidemic of sexually transmitted infections in adolescents: a neglected population.Current Opinion Pediatrics. 2018;30(1):137-143. doi:10.1097/MOP.0000000000000578World Health Organization.Sexually transmitted infections (STIs).Office on Women’s Health.Sexually transmitted infections.MedlinePlus.Sexually transmitted infections.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sexually transmitted infections prevalence, incidence, and cost estimates in the United States.Workowski KA, Bachmann LH, Chan PA, et al.Sexually transmitted infections treatment guidelines, 2021.MMWR Recomm Rep. 2021;70(4):1-187. doi:10.15585/mmwr.rr7004a1
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.Sexually transmitted infections.Rietmeijer CA.You say STD….Sex Transm Dis. 2015;42(9):469. doi:10.1097/OLQ.0000000000000324American Sexual Health Association.STDs A to Z.Handsfield HH.Sexually transmitted diseases, infections, and disorders: what’s in a name?Sex Transm Dis. 2015;42(4):169. doi:10.1097/OLQ.0000000000000251Handsfield HH, Rietmeijer CA.STI versus STD: coda.Sex Transm Dis. 2017;44(11):712-713. doi:10.1097/OLQ.0000000000000717Shannon C, Klausner J.The growing epidemic of sexually transmitted infections in adolescents: a neglected population.Current Opinion Pediatrics. 2018;30(1):137-143. doi:10.1097/MOP.0000000000000578World Health Organization.Sexually transmitted infections (STIs).Office on Women’s Health.Sexually transmitted infections.MedlinePlus.Sexually transmitted infections.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sexually transmitted infections prevalence, incidence, and cost estimates in the United States.Workowski KA, Bachmann LH, Chan PA, et al.Sexually transmitted infections treatment guidelines, 2021.MMWR Recomm Rep. 2021;70(4):1-187. doi:10.15585/mmwr.rr7004a1
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.Sexually transmitted infections.
Rietmeijer CA.You say STD….Sex Transm Dis. 2015;42(9):469. doi:10.1097/OLQ.0000000000000324
American Sexual Health Association.STDs A to Z.
Handsfield HH.Sexually transmitted diseases, infections, and disorders: what’s in a name?Sex Transm Dis. 2015;42(4):169. doi:10.1097/OLQ.0000000000000251
Handsfield HH, Rietmeijer CA.STI versus STD: coda.Sex Transm Dis. 2017;44(11):712-713. doi:10.1097/OLQ.0000000000000717
Shannon C, Klausner J.The growing epidemic of sexually transmitted infections in adolescents: a neglected population.Current Opinion Pediatrics. 2018;30(1):137-143. doi:10.1097/MOP.0000000000000578
World Health Organization.Sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Office on Women’s Health.Sexually transmitted infections.
MedlinePlus.Sexually transmitted infections.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sexually transmitted infections prevalence, incidence, and cost estimates in the United States.
Workowski KA, Bachmann LH, Chan PA, et al.Sexually transmitted infections treatment guidelines, 2021.MMWR Recomm Rep. 2021;70(4):1-187. doi:10.15585/mmwr.rr7004a1
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