STD versus STI
Diseases that are spread through sexual
contact are usually referred to as “sexually transmitted diseases” -
STDs for short. In recent years, however, many experts in this
area of public health have suggested replacing STD with a new term
- sexually transmitted infection, or STI.
WHY? The
concept of “disease,” as in STD, implies a clear
medical problem, usually some obvious signs or symptoms. But
in truth several of the most common STIs have no signs or symptoms
in the majority of persons infected. Or they have mild signs
and symptoms that can be easily overlooked. So the sexually
transmitted virus or bacteria can be described as creating “infection,” which
may or may not result in “disease.” This is true
of chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, and human papillomavirus (HPV),
to name a few.
|