Sexually transmitted infection
From Carnalpedia
A sexually transmitted infection (STI) is an infection acquired from having sex, and can be transmitted through body fluids such as vaginal secretion, semen, blood, breast milk, and saliva.[1]
Intercourse is not required to transmit an STI, skin-to-skin contact such as genital rubbing can transmit HPV, herpes, and other infections.[2]
When diagnosed early, the majority of STIs can be cured or treated to alleviate symptoms. If left untreated, STIs can lead to serious health conditions such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), cervical cancer, infertility, and can even be fatal.[3]
[edit] STI versus STD
While STIs are commonly referred to as Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD), there is a shift by leading health organizations, such as World Health Organization, National Institutes of Health, and Planned Parenthood to adopt the phrase STI.
"Infection" more accurately describes conditions where sexual partners may not have symptoms and may not be aware that they have an infection. "Infection" is also used because many of these infections are actually curable, and the term "infection" also carries less of a social stigma than the term "disease".[4]
[edit] References
- ↑ http://www.brown.edu/Student_Services/Health_Services/Health_Education/sexual_health/sti/sti_home.htm
- ↑ http://www.brown.edu/Student_Services/Health_Services/Health_Education/sexual_health/sti/sti_home.htm
- ↑ http://www.brown.edu/Student_Services/Health_Services/Health_Education/sexual_health/sti/sti_home.htm
- ↑ http://www.brown.edu/Student_Services/Health_Services/Health_Education/sexual_health/sti/sti_home.htm
