STI stands for “Sexually Transmitted Infection.” Many people use both STI and STD interchangeably when discussing sexual health. An STI is an infection that does not show any physical signs or symptoms. It is contracted from another infected person through sexual activity, including vaginal, oral and anal sex, and skin-to-skin contact.
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. You do not have to have symptoms to be contagious; you can spread the disease any time you engage in sexual behavior.