What is a STI?

An infection, that is primarily contracted through sexual contact with another, but showing no related symptoms of the actual disease.

Definition

While it can be interchanged with STD's, the use of STI is being used more and more, as it refers to those who may be infected, but who show no signs or symptoms of the various diseases.

Infection occurs mainly through sexual intercourse, anal and vagina, and oral. However, it can also include blood transferences, through use of IV Needles that are not cleaned.

Those with STIs may show no signs at any time, though they can still transmit the disease to others, if they have sex with them. In most cases, only proper testing for STI's can determine if these people have an infection.

History

STIs are a recent terminology used to broaden the scope of the problem. It is more to differentiate between those who have symptoms, where the disease is actively harming the body, and those who are, as of yet, not being adversely affected. It derives from the previous term, Venereal Disease, which was the forerunner to STDs.

About

The primary differences between STD and STI is that one is an infection. This means simply that the virus, germ, parasite, bacteria associated with a particular disease is present in one's body.

It does not mean it is actually harming the body, or that it is showing any of the signs associated with the disease. However it can develop further, and still not show any symptoms of the actual disease. It is still contagious.

A disease means that these germs, viruses, parasites, bacteria, are actually active, and causing one to feel sick, to notice that something isn't right. One who is merely infected, will not notice that sickness, that sense of something wrong.

Practice (Associated Acts): Having multiple sex partners, engaging in unprotected sex with anyone, should be sufficient grounds to seek full and complete testing for any and all sexually related diseases, whether one feels sick or not.

Even if no symptoms show up, one should continue to seek regular testing for all variations of diseases associated with sex.

Testing should be on a routine basis, not when you just feel like it.

The mantra is that if detected early enough, treatment can be quite simple, and unobtrusive. The longer you wait to find out, the greater the risk for serious harm being done to the body.

Most tests are inexpensive, and as simple as peeing in a cup or in giving a blood sample.

Early diagnosis, can result in simple treatments as well, such as taking a pill once, or for a few days. Leaving it till the disease has developed, can result in painful treatments, such as inter muscular injections.

Noteworthy: Rough sex, where undue force is applied in intercourse, either through hard penis penetrations, or rough use of overly large sex toys, can cause serious damage to the inner linings of the anus, opening them up or causing direct contact with the blood stream, internally. This is a perfect medium for becoming infected.

Chlamydia is one of those diseases, that can also be very difficult to notice, which is why it is called a 'silent' disease. Many, women specially, may never notice they have it, until it becomes a serious complication.

Again, one added reason why regular and routine testing and screening for all types of sexually transmitted diseases should part of any person's sex life.

Similiar Terms

Proper Hygiene is an integral part of helping to reduce the risk of bacterial growth and infection. Properly cleaning and sterilizing sex toys is one way.

Use of Sex Toys that are less porous is another way to help prevent infection, or weaken the system. Tears inside the anus or vagina can be an easy target for infection, so proper use of sex toys is also recommended in the goal of helping to prevent infection.