The difference between sexually transmitted infection (STI) and sexually transmitted disease (STD) is only through the costs of the tests as well as the setting.
Hidden and silent are the signs and symptoms of STI as it dwells more on infectious diseases. On the other hand, STD is different since the signs and symptoms it shows are the infection that causes the STD. Sometimes STI is referred to as the asymptomatic STD but this is an incorrect presumption because one can be infected that may or may not show symptoms of STD. In recent years, STI has become fashionable as it has now acquired a broader base that encompasses both sexually transmitted infections and STD. What used to be called VD or venereal disease is now applied to STI.
Another obvious difference between STI and STD is HIV infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). It has been noted that some people having HIV infection do not have AIDS as well, but the result of an infection from the HIV virus is AIDS.
The procedures of tests are different for STI and STD. For STI, the screening is primarily done because of the greater chance of acquiring STI based on the sexual activity of the individual tested. With STD screening, the screening is done to rule out or confirm the presence of STD as based on the signs and symptoms that an individual is showing.
The costs of the screening and setting procedures for STD and STI are also different. If an individual who is ordered by his doctor to undergo STD screening because of suspected STD and should he have insurance, the costs of the tests are carried by the insurance carrier. On the other side of the coin, if an individual who has health insurance is ordered to have STI tests by his doctor, he will more likely shoulder the expenses of the screening as it is usually not covered by health insurance companies.
STI screening could be expensive since the order to have one usually comes from a clinic or office of the doctor, the setting is not in a position to order comprehensive tests, insurance companies do not cover it, and since there is an absence of STD signs and symptoms, the wellness centers do not cover it as well. However, to address this need, there are now online STD/STI screening services that could provide a cheaper alternative and solution to infected individuals.
There is a need for more awareness and understanding of sexually transmitted infections in order to reduce more individuals from becoming infected. There is also a need to educate the public of the various infections that are brought by STI and the ways to avoid getting infected in the first place. Hopefully, with great awareness and understanding, technology will be able to create enhanced screening procedures that will do away with great expense to an infected person. It could also pave the way in trying to fight the battle against the epidemic of STI/STD that is beginning to become one of the major diseases in every society around the world.