STIs & STDs: What Are They?

An STI (Sexually Transmitted Infection) is an infection that does not show any physical signs or symptoms.  It is contracted from another infected person through sexual activity.  It becomes an STD (Sexually Transmitted Disease) when symptoms appear. 

It’s important to remember that not all infected people will have signs or symptoms.  The problem is that some of these STDs can cause lots of damage and can be passed to your partner without your knowledge.  You do not have to have symptoms to be contagious; you can spread the disease at any time.