Sexual Health

Summary for Sexual Health

This panel is for adults over 18 years who are interested in their sexual health. Even when no symptoms are present, it is wise to get tested if a person is unfamiliar with their sexual partners or engages in risky sexual activities.

STD stands for sexually transmitted disease, whereas STI means sexually transmitted infection. The difference is between a disease and an infection. Not all diseases begin with infections, but many do. Sexually transmitted disease first begin as sexually transmitted infections.

Individuals with STI can be carriers of the disease but show no symptoms. They can infect others that they come in contact with and they will manifest the symptoms of the disease. Technically, STDs start as STIs.