eli5: Why did we go from calling sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) to sexually transmitted infections (STIs)?
In: 2351
Disclaimer: IANAD
My understanding is:
STIs are the (mostly) curable or (at least) treatable initial infections: Syphilis, Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, HSV, HIV. The first 3 are remedied with antibiotics, the latter 2 with drugs that reduce or eliminate the carrier’s ability to infect others.
STDs are the more serious conditions that develop as a result of an untreated infection that are mostly preventable with vaccines and prophylactics: HPV, AIDS, Hepatitis
Again, I might be wrong, IANAD.
Latest Answers