The term STI (sexually transmitted infection), May cause some confusion. While similar to STD, the two cannot be used interchangeably. In fact, STI is a more inclusive term, covering infections that affect the sex organs but are transmitted sexually,
including vaginal or prostate inflammation and infection of the bladder. Therefore, all STDs are STIs, but not all STIs are STDs.
Generally Speaking
STI testing consists of a breadth of medical screenings meant to detect syphilis, gonorrhea, Chlamydia, herpes, hepatitis, and HIV.
Physicians cannot test for all infections with one procedure, making it important for all sexually active people to understand both
STD symptoms and what individual tests can and cannot detect. Health care providers and patients can use STI results for achieving
peace of mind. That is to say, typically, those being tested are looking to determine if the symptoms they are experience, like
abnormal discharge, burning sensations, or frequent urination, to name a few, are cause by a sexually transmitted infection.
Additionally, STItesting can be used to check prospective long-term or short-term sexual partners or screen blood donations.
As mentioned above, there are several types of infections that affect the sex organs but are not sexually transmitted. Most of these
infections, fortunately enough, are treatable and pose no major health risk. For example, vaginitis, an inflammation of the vagina,
is caused by infection, allergic reaction, or estrogen deficiency.
Also, cyotitis is the infection of the bladder caused by the increased production of bacteria during sexual intercourse. Finally, prostatitis is the inflammation of the prostate that can but
acute or chronic. Al of these conditions can cause sexual distress/tension.
It should be noted that not all STIs show symptoms and often signs do not appear right away. Most often with women, an infection can be present without presenting any visible signs. This of course, creates a greater of spreading infections to others. Untreated STIs cause serious health complications, including infertility and even death. Most times there is a of time between becoming infected and being able to detect infection.