STIsare infections that are passed from one person to another through sexual contact, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. These include Chlamydia, gonorrhea, genital herpes, human papillomavirus (HPV), syphilis, and HIV. Many of these STIs do not cause symptoms for an extended period of time. Even if there are no symptoms, they can be harmful and passed on during sex.
What is HIV?
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) weakens a person's immune system reducing its capacity to fight disease. With the right treatments (antiretroviral medications) HIV can be managed. According to the CDC, some groups of persons in the US have a higher chance of contracting HIV than others due to a variety of factors including unequal access to medical treatment and risky behaviors.