What are sexually transmitted infections?

Also known as: STDs, sexually transmitted infections, STIs, venereal disease, VD.

Any infection that is passed from one person to another through sexual contact is known as a sexually transmitted disease. Infections are common, particularly in adolescents, with most infections occurring in the under 25 year-old age group (an STD in a prepubertal child should raise the possibility of sexual abuse).

There are a large number of bacteria, viruses, parasites and yeast that cause STDs and the infections range from mild to serious and treatable to incurable.

---

Reviewed by: Jack Wolfsdorf, MD, FAAP

This page was last updated on: 1/29/2019 3:21:13 PM