STD Information

Home » Web Guides » Health » STDs and STIs

In This Guide

Most Popular

Sexually Transmitted Diseases

When it comes to your sexual health, having accurate and comprehensive information on STDs, and STIs is essential. Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a concern for almost everyone. But as more information becomes available, staying safe is getting easier, through both preventative methods and treatment.

Expand All Guide Sections

STD Information

Due to the seriousness of some sexually transmitted diseases, it's important that people of all ages and sexual orientations learn what they are and how to deal with them. In this section, you'll find basic STD information, including how they're transmitted from one person to another.

Insights for STD Information

When searching for information on STDs, you may also find them called sexually transmitted infections, or STIs. Many organizations have changed to using the term STIs in order to recognize that not all of the illnesses are diseases. You've also probably heard the term "venereal disease" but it is no longer in use, as it did not encompass all sexually transmitted ailments.

Some Web sites that deal with sex and sexual topics might have an agenda that goes against what you believe. If in doubt as to who is sponsoring and running the site, find the "About Us" page, where you should be able to learn more.

Know that there are many different kinds of STDs and that the information in this guide is meant for general reference. If you'd like information about a specific STD, try searching for the name of it on one of the sites we've recommended below.

When looking for information about STDs, be aware that some sites may provide photos of the infections; these photos might be too graphic for certain users.

Top Sites for STD Information

To test your knowledge of STDs ...

MedlinePlus offers this interactive tutorial explaining what sexually transmitted diseases are. The module includes a quiz to test your knowledge of STDs. This tutorial is also available in Spanish.

go to site »

For STD definitions and fact sheets ...

National Prevention Information Network, part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, provides this information on various sexually transmitted diseases. The different types of infections are explained, and most of the descriptions are also available in Spanish.

go to site »

University of California, Santa Barbara's SexInfo site covers "STD's A to Z." It lists all the common sexually transmitted infections and several uncommon ones. When you click on the links, you are brought to a description of the infection. Note that you may find some of the photos graphic.

go to site »

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers several printable fact sheets on the most common sexually transmitted diseases. They are available in HTML or PDF format and most are also available in Spanish.

go to site »

Sexually Transmitted Diseases Guide provides information about the most common sexually transmitted diseases. There are also statistics about STD transmission and infection.

go to site »

For information about women and STDs ...

The National Women's Health Information Center presents information on sexually transmitted diseases. It reviews signs and symptoms and how STDs can affect a pregnant woman.

go to site »