What Is The Difference Between STI Testing and STD Testing?

STD vs STI Testing

Long before the decade of the 90's, STDs (sexually transmitted diseases) were commonly referred to as "VD"s" or venereal diseases.  This was a very long time ago.  As infection rates increased for STDs the term widely used today "STD", was used used.

In recent times the term STI or sexually transmitted infection hsa been used rather than STD.  This can be found in many college STD programs.  The reasoning behind this is that many people are infected but may not have had an infection turn into a disease.



Sexually transmitted diseases are asymptomatic which means they may show no signs or symptoms.  You may not feel sick or show any symptoms of a STD.  You are still contagious and carrying the potential of a disease in your body.  By using the term STD and saying testing for diseases, may promote the under testing of a population that needs testing for sexually transmitted diseases.  If people wait until they only show symptoms to test can be dangerous.

Related Articles:
 STDs and STIs (positive.org)