STI stands for Sexually Transmitted Infection. STIs are infections passed between partners during sexual activity including oral, anal, and vaginal sex. They are caused by bacteria, viruses or parasites that are spread through bodily fluids or skin-to-skin contact. You may have heard the term STD or Sexually Transmitted Disease. Technically, infections are passed between people and may or may not cause disease. It’s only considered a disease if it causes symptoms and many STIs never cause symptoms. Lots of people, however, use these terms interchangeably.

If you are sexually active you may be at risk for STIs. All types of partnered sex (with the exception of mutual masturbation in which you don’t touch each other) carry some risk of STIs. And, the only way you can know if you or a partner has an STI is to get tested.

Some common STIs include chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, trichomoniasis, human papillomavirus (HPV), herpes, hepatitis B, and HIV/AIDS. Some STIs can be cured with medication, others can’t be cured but the symptoms can be treated. If left untreated, STDs can cause long-term health issues including infertility and cancer.

Some STIs have no symptoms at all. Others have symptoms that appear and then disappear, while the infection remains. So you can’t always rely on symptoms to show that you have become infected. Some common STI symptoms to be aware of are: pain or burning while urinating, rashes, sores, blisters, itchiness, unusual discharge from the penis or vagina and pain during sex. If you think you might be infected with an STI, see a doctor or healthcare provider ASAP. Delaying treatment can cause the infection to get worse.

The only way to be 100% safe from STIs, including HIV/AIDS is to abstain from all sexual activities. If you are going to have sex, the correct and consistent use of latex condoms can help protect you from many STIs, including HIV/AIDS. Having fewer sexual partners and getting regular STI tests can also help protect you and your partner(s). There are also vaccines that can protect you from human papillomavirus (HPV) and hepatitis-B. Talk with your partner before you have sex about your risk and how you can protect each other, and talk to your health care provider about vaccines.

Yep. Latex condoms-when used consistently and correctly-provide a barrier that prevents bodily fluids, like semen, vaginal secretions, and blood, from passing between partners. Condoms can also help prevent STIs that are transmitted through skin-to-skin contact like syphilis and HPV. However, condoms only can protect against these diseases if the infected skin is in areas covered by the condom.