Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are infections that are passed from person to person through sexual contact.
Hiv is an STI. There are more than 25 STIs that are mainly spread by sexual contact through vaginal, anal, and oral sex Globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that more than one million people get an STI every day..Many STIs have no symptoms but can still be passed from person to person.
STIs are also sometimes called sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). While "
STD" is often used interchangeably with "STI," they are not exactly the same. A "disease" is usually an obvious medical problem with clear signs and symptoms. "Infection" with an STI may or may not result in disease. This is why many individuals and organizations working in health are moving toward using the term "sexually transmitted infection" rather than "
sexually transmitted disease." Most people with STIs do not have any symptoms and therefore often do not know that they can pass the infection on to their sexual partner(s).
If left untreated, STIs can cause serious health problems, including
liver disease, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), infertility, and pregnancy problems. Having some STIs (such as chancroid, herpes, syphilis, and trichomoniasis) can increase your risk of acquiring HIV if you are HIV-negative and are exposed to HIV. People living with HIV may also be at greater risk of getting or passing on other STIs. When people living with HIV get STIs, they can experience more serious problems from them or find it more difficult to get rid of these infections.
The US has the highest rate of STIs in the resource-rich world. In the US, about 20 million new infections occur each year. More than half of these occur among young people (15-24 years old), even though that age group accounts for only a small proportion of all sexually active people. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that the number of people who get chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis (the three nationally reportable STIs) is increasing in most years.
There are several reasons why teenage girls and young women are more at risk for STIs. First, the cervix (passage between the vagina and womb) in young people is lined with cells that are more likely to become infected with STIs. Second, teenagers and young adults may have problems getting the information and supplies they need to avoid STIs. They may also have trouble getting STI prevention services because they do not know where to find them, do not have transportation to get there, or cannot pay for them. Even if teenagers and young women can get STI prevention services, they may not feel comfortable in places designed for adults. They may also have concerns about confidentiality