Are sexually transmitted infections (STIs) different from sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)?
Sometimes the terms STI and STD are used interchangeably. This can be confusing and not always accurate, so it helps first to understand the difference between infection and disease. Infection simply means that a germ virus, bacteria, or parasite that can cause disease or sickness is present inside a person s body. An infected person does not necessarily have any symptoms or signs that the virus or bacteria is actually hurting their body (they do not necessarily feel sick). A disease means that the infection is actually causing the infected person to feel sick, or to notice something is wrong. For this reason, the term STI which refers to infection with any germ that can cause an STD, even if the infected person has no symptoms is a much broader term than STD. The term STD refers only to infections that are causing symptoms or problems.
