I first heard about STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infections) in my Grade 9 health class. At that time they were called STDs (Sexually Transmitted Diseases). Why the change? Well, STI is believed to be a more politically correct term since the word disease can have negative connotations or social stigmas attached. Plus, when people think of diseases, they think of something you get and have forever but many STIs are curable therefore the term infection is more accurate. In my opinion changing disease to infection did not breakdown the stigmas attached to STIs.
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