An STI is an infection caused by a parasite, bacteria, or virus that is spread by contact with semen, vaginal fluids, or blood during sexual activity and in some cases skin to skin contact (public lice, herpes and HPV) or by unclean needles (Hepatitis B and HIV). The terms STI (Sexually Transmitted Infections) and STD (Sexually Transmitted Diseases) refer to the same thing. However, in this website we use the term STI because. We use STI rather than STD becasue the word "disease" implies obvious signs or symtoms and many STIs have no signs or symptoms.
Who gets STIs?Anyone who is sexually active, regardless of: sex, race, age, economic status, sexual orientation, etc. is at risk for contracting an STI. In fact, more than half of all people will have an STI at some point in their lifetime. However, teens that are sexually active have a higher risk of contracting STI's than older adults. Thus, it is important to understand how to protect yourself against getting an STI, as well as what treatment is available if you are infected.
Roll-over each STI below to learn about: how it is spread and prevented, what the symptoms look like, how it can be treated, what happens if it is left untreated and how many people are infected with the STI each year.
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