Difference between STI and STD

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With all the education, public forums and news that have been going around, one can almost be sure that at least 99% of the adult population is aware of Sexually transmitted diseases. It is probably due to this reason that the number of people affected by Sexually transmitted diseases has gone down exponentially.

The real question here however is how many people know what an STI is. More importantly, how many people are aware of the difference between STD and STI?

Though both STD and STI are scientifically the same, there are a few specific differences that set them apart.

These differences are as given below:

  1. What are the expansions of the acronyms STD and STI?

STD stands for Sexually transmitted diseases and STI stands for sexually transmitted infections. STDs are alternatively also called VD or Venereal diseases.

  1. What do STD and STI mean?

The general difference between STD and STI is a very commonly misunderstood one. STDs are diseases transmitted through sexual contact. It is the collection of infections that occur due to a disease. An STI on the other hand is a single infection that occurs which may either remain a symptom or progress to form a disease.

  1. The technical difference between an STI and STD.

An infection or an STI occurs when the microorganism lodges itself in the human body. These organisms (bacteria or Virus) are capable of multiplying inside the body marking the onset of the disease.

An STD refers to the fact that an STI that lodged itself in the human body has multiplied to result in a disease presenting its signs and symptoms. This causes the affected person to feel sick with lowered immunity.

  1. How are they transmitted?

Both STD and STI as their name suggests are transmitted by sexual contact

  1. Are they curable?

Mostly all STI can be cured. However, not all STDs can be cured. STIs caused by bacteria can be very easily cured by the administration of proper antibiotics.

  1. Symptoms of STI and STD.

Most times, symptoms of STI go unnoticed. This makes it necessary to check one’s self for an infection regularly.

An STD on the other hand produces varied symptoms that differ based on the kind of disease that the person has.

  1. Examples of STDs.

A few examples of commonly occurring STDs include: Chancroid, Chlamydia, CMV, Genital Warts, Gonorrhea, Hepatitis, Herpes, AIDS, HPV, LGV, intestinal parasites and so on.

  1. Examples of commonly occurring STIs.

Apart from the above mentioned names, the other infections that may occur are: Bacterial vaginosis, Trachomoniasis and yeast infections to name a few.

  1. Getting tested for an STD or STI.

Getting tested regularly for STD and STI has been recommended by all doctors for maintaining sexual health. While frequent test not only help identify an infection, but also help prevent its progression to a disease by administering suitable medication.

  1. Preventing an STD or STI.

Both STD and STI can be prevented by engaging in safe coitus. Frequent tests also help in their prevention. Further, awareness on the different types of infections and disease proves to be useful for identifying a problem and getting it treated at the right time.

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