STD Vs STI

Have you ever wondered about the difference between STDs vs STIs? According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 20 million fresh STD cases are reported each year in the US. About half of the people who are infected belong to the age group of between 15 to 24 years of age. Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are either caused by bacteria (chlamydia, gonorrhea), viruses (HIV, herpes), or parasites (pubic lice). They are spread through sexual contact with an infected person. Without protection during sex, the chances of getting an STD are higher.

Many STDs are quite common, and they can also be treated easily with antiviral medicines and antibiotics. But some STDs become lifelong infections that don't leave your body. But there are many successful treatments that can make your sexual life healthy. Even if you have a never-ending STD like herpes, effective treatments can make you less contagious and offer you a chance to have a vibrant sexual life.

STDs can be prevented by using protection while having sex. Vaccines are also available to lower the risk of getting an STD from an infected partner. STDs may not cause symptoms to appear in every infected person. That is why it is always better to be aware and prepared. While many STDs may not cause much discomfort, they can put your health at risk without prompt treatment.

So, what is the difference between STDs vs STIs? You may have grown up getting used to calling STD, and out of nowhere, people suddenly started calling STDs STIs. So, what's the deal with STD vs STI? Both STD and STI technically refer to the same thing. They both characterize the same conditions. But what is the difference? Let's find out.

What is STD vs STI? The first obvious difference is their acronym. STD stands for sexually transmitted disease, and STI stands for sexually transmitted infection. The key difference between the two terms is that while STIs are asymptomatic, STDs display signs and symptoms. STIs become STDs when a person starts to experience symptoms relating to STIs.

You might wonder why STDs are given a new name. According to American Sexual Health Association, more and more medical practitioners are getting aware of STD vs STI and how the term STD can be misleading. A disease generally means that a person has an obvious medical condition with signs and symptoms that represent the condition. A person with an STD may not have any symptoms, so it is not right to call it a disease. That is why STIs are used to refer to the group of sexually transmitted conditions that cause no symptoms.

So, the main difference between STD vs STI is disease and infection. A person can get an STI from sexual contact with an infected person. All types of unprotected sexual activities like vaginal sex, anal sex, and oral sex with an infected person are responsible for the transmission of STIs. Some studies suggest that in some cases, STIs can also get transmitted to a baby during vaginal delivery from an infected mother.

How does STD vs STI occur? STIs occur when foreign microorganisms that are naturally not present in the body enter the body in the form of bacteria, viruses, and parasites. When the foreign infections enter the body, they begin to multiply. While some people may experience symptoms, some may not. Asymptomatic people may spread the infection to others unwittingly. The lack of symptoms is one of the reasons why STIs and STDs are becoming highly prevalent.

STIs turn to STDs when the person starts feeling certain conditions that are out of the ordinary. When infections are present in the body long enough, they can impact other parts and organs of the body and cause signs and symptoms. When normal body functions are impaired by an STI, it is called an STD.

It is important to note that while STD vs STI may stand for different things, they still represent the same condition. If you have indulged in sexual activity with someone without protection and happen to have contracted an STI, you may experience the following symptoms when the infection turns into an STD.

The most common symptoms of people with STDs are getting rashes, sores, and bumps in and around the affected area, which are usually the genitals, rectum, or mouth. They may also experience vaginal or penile discharge, while women may have bleeding after sex or spotting between periods. Some STDs can also cause painful urination, pain during sex, and pelvic pain. Swollen lymph nodes and itchy genitals are also symptoms of people with STDs. Men may also experience swollen testicles.

While experiencing these symptoms does not mean you do have an STD, it is best to get tested. STD vs STI may be mild at first, but it is always best to get tested for potential STDs if you think you may have an increased risk of contracting the infection.

It is important to go for STD tests if you are sexually active. There is a reason why the difference between STD vs STI exists. You may have an STD even if you don't experience any symptoms. So, if you have had a wild night without protection, if you have recently got a new partner, or if you have multiple sex partners, a routine STD test may prove beneficial to your sexual health.

Understand the difference between STD vs STI and get tested for STIs. While the infection may cause only mild discomfort initially, it can potentially lead to serious health complications if left untreated for too long.