The full name of STD is sexually transmitted disease. However, the term is often used interchangeably with sexually transmitted infection (STI). Both terms refer to infections passed from one person to another through sexual contact.
Understanding STDs/STIs
- STDs/STIs are infections spread primarily through vaginal, oral, or anal sex.
- Some STDs/STIs are curable (e.g., syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomoniasis), while others are viral and incurable (e.g., hepatitis B, herpes, HIV).
- Accurate and timely diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment and preventing further transmission. Various tests are available to detect different STDs/STIs.
The use of "disease" versus "infection" is often a matter of preference and context, with both terms accurately describing the condition. Many resources use both terms interchangeably, as reflected in the provided references. For example, the MedlinePlus website explicitly states that "Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)," are equivalent. Similarly, the NIH uses both terms.
The references also demonstrate the consistent use of the acronyms STD and STI in official documents and reports concerning these infections (e.g., California Department of General Services STD 269, Texas Department of State Health Services STD-27, Rhode Island Department of Health Sexually Transmitted Diseases report ).
