Talking about sexual health can feel awkward, but staying informed is the best way to protect yourself and your partners.
Whether you are curious about symptoms or confused by the terminology, here are the top 10 questions and answers regarding Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs).
In short: An STI is the infection; an STD is the resulting disease.
STI (Sexually Transmitted Infection): This is when a pathogen (virus, bacteria, or parasite) enters the body. Most people have no symptoms at this stage.
STD (Sexually Transmitted Disease): This occurs when the infection begins to cause symptoms or damage to the body.
Why the shift? Health professionals now prefer the term STI because it reduces stigma and accurately describes the many infections that have no visible “disease” symptoms but still require treatment.
STIs are infections passed from one person to another through sexual contact. While most are spread via vaginal, anal, or oral sex, some (like HPV and Herpes) can be transmitted through skin-to-skin contact or shared sex toys. Some infections can also be passed from a pregnant person to their baby during birth or through breastfeeding.
There are more than 20 known types. The most common include:
Bacterial: Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and Syphilis.
Viral: HIV, HPV (Genital Warts), Genital Herpes, and Hepatitis B.
Parasitic: Trichomoniasis and Pubic Lice (“Crabs”).
Yes—this is incredibly common. Many STIs, particularly Chlamydia and HPV, often show no symptoms at all. You can look and feel perfectly healthy while still being able to pass the infection to others. This is why regular testing is the only way to know your status for sure.
If symptoms do appear, they typically include:
Unusual discharge from the penis or vagina (change in color or smell).
Sores, blisters, or warts in the genital or anal area.
Pain or a “burning” sensation when peeing.
Abdominal or pelvic pain.
Lumps or itching in the pubic hair area.
Anyone who is sexually active is at risk, regardless of age, gender, or orientation. However, biological women often face more severe health complications from untreated STIs, such as Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), which can lead to infertility or ectopic pregnancy.
Testing is much simpler than most people think. Depending on the infection, a doctor or clinic will use:
Urine Samples: Common for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea.
Blood Tests: Used for HIV, Syphilis, and Hepatitis.
Swabs: A quick wipe of the affected area (vagina, urethra, or throat) to collect cells for analysis.
It depends on the cause:
Bacterial/Parasitic: Infections like Chlamydia and Trichomoniasis can usually be cured with a simple course of antibiotics.
Viral: Infections like HIV and Herpes cannot be “cured” yet, but they can be managed effectively with antiviral medications. Modern treatments for HIV can even reduce the virus to “undetectable” levels, meaning it cannot be passed on.
While abstinence is the only 100% guarantee, you can significantly lower your risk by:
Consistent Condom Use: Correct use of latex or polyurethane condoms reduces the risk of almost all STIs.
Vaccination: Ensure you are vaccinated against HPV and Hepatitis B.
Regular Screening: Get tested between every new partner.
Communication: Talk to your partner about their testing history before having sex.
Technically, yes. Cold sores are caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus (usually HSV-1).
If someone with a cold sore performs oral sex on a partner, they can transmit the virus to the partner’s genitals, resulting in genital herpes.
While HSV-1 is often caught in childhood via non-sexual contact (like a kiss from a relative), it is still a virus that can be transmitted sexually.
| STI Type | Cause | Curable? | Common Symptom |
| Chlamydia | Bacteria | Yes | Often None / Painful urination |
| Genital Herpes | Virus | No (Manageable) | Blisters / Sores |
| Syphilis | Bacteria | Yes | Firm, round, painless sores |
| Trichomoniasis | Parasite | Yes | Itching / Unusual discharge |
NHS Sexual Health Finder: Find a free, confidential clinic near you.
Sexual Health London (SHL): Free home testing kits for residents in specific areas.
Terrence Higgins Trust: Specialist advice on HIV and sexual health.
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