Glossary
STI
An infection you pick up through sex, often without symptoms, and usually preventable with a condom.
What is an STI?
STI stands for sexually transmitted infection: an infection you pick up through sex, such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV, HPV, or herpes. An STI often gives no symptoms, so you can have one without noticing. Most are easy to prevent with a condom.
| Full term | sexually transmitted infection |
| Also known as | STD, venereal disease |
| What it is | an infection passed on through sex |
| Examples | chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV, HPV, herpes, hepatitis B |
| Important | often gives no symptoms, so testing counts |
| Falls under | safer sex |
How an STI works in practice
The tricky thing about an STI is that you often cannot feel it. According to the RIVM, the Dutch national institute for public health, you catch an STI during unprotected sex, and the institute keeps an eye on nine STIs, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV, HPV, hepatitis B, and herpes. Chlamydia is the most common. Take someone who feels perfectly fine and turns out to be infected anyway: that is not the exception but the rule. Thuisarts.nl states that you often notice nothing of an STI, and that is exactly why testing after a risk matters more than waiting for symptoms.
How you prevent and detect an STI
Prevention is largely possible, detection always. According to the RIVM, most STIs are easy to prevent by using condoms. Still, a condom does not cover everything, because herpes and HPV sit partly on skin the condom does not cover, according to Soa Aids Nederland. You can get tested at your GP or at a Sexual Health Center run by the GGD, the regional public health service. Untreated, an STI can have serious consequences, so when in doubt or after a new partner, testing is the safe choice.
Why you want to stay alert to this
What alertness buys you is peace of mind and health. For you, testing in time means you catch and treat an STI early, often simply. For a partner it means you pass nothing on unnoticed, because precisely because an STI often gives no symptoms, passing it on without knowing is the biggest risk. What it is not: an STI is not a sign of something dirty or shameful, but an ordinary infection that many people pick up. This is a glossary page, not medical advice. For symptoms, testing, or treatment, go to your GP or a Sexual Health Center.
What an STI is not
“No symptoms means no STI.” Wrong. An STI often gives no symptoms, so only a test gives certainty.
“With a condom nothing can happen anymore.” Less, yes, but not nothing. Herpes and HPV sit partly on skin outside the condom.
What I make of it
As a gigolo I do this work, and safer sex is not up for negotiation with me: a condom is standard. What strikes me is how often women bring it up almost apologetically, when asking about it is exactly the sensible thing to do. I am not a doctor and your health is not mine to manage, but the understanding that it stays safe is part of how I work. For testing or symptoms I point you to your GP or an STI clinic.
Further reading
- Safer sex explains how you keep the chance of an STI as small as possible.
- STI test describes how and when you get tested.
- STI on the RIVM site gives the current figures and background.
Where this fits on this site
I do not sell health, and I do not sell medical advice. What I do is work in a way where protection is a given and you can simply ask your questions. If you are curious how a meeting goes and what gets agreed beforehand, take a look at my services. A quick chat beforehand is always fine, and you do not have to say yes to anything yet.
Sources
- Soa (seksueel overdraagbare aandoeningen). RIVM. Provides that you catch an STI through unprotected sex, that the RIVM keeps an eye on nine STIs including chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV, HPV, hepatitis B, and herpes, that an STI often gives no symptoms, and that most are easy to prevent with a condom.
- Soa. Thuisarts.nl. Provides that you often notice nothing of an STI, and that you can get tested at your GP or a Sexual Health Center.
- Condooms en veilig vrijen. Soa Aids Nederland. Provides that a condom does not protect against all STIs, because herpes and HPV sit partly on skin outside the condom.
Related terms
- Safer sex. The practice that reduces the chance of an STI.
- STI test. How and when you get tested.
- Condom. The tool that helps prevent most STIs.
- Barrier method. The broader set of protection: condom, dental dam, glove.
Frequently asked questions
Questions about this term
What is an STI?
STI stands for sexually transmitted infection: an infection you pick up through sex, such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV, HPV, or herpes. An STI often gives no symptoms, so you can have one without noticing. Most are easy to prevent with a condom.
How do you prevent an STI?
Most STIs are easy to prevent by using a condom during penetration, according to the RIVM. Note that a condom does not cover everything, because herpes and HPV sit partly on skin the condom does not reach. Testing after a new partner is part of good prevention too.
Who can you turn to with questions about STIs?
For testing, symptoms, or treatment, go to your GP or a Sexual Health Center run by the GGD. I’m Victor, a gigolo, not a doctor, but safer sex is standard with me and you can simply ask your questions. I’m glad to talk about how a safe, discreet meeting goes, without obligation or through free chat.
Learn more
Still have questions about STIs?
I'm Victor, a gigolo, not a doctor. For testing or symptoms your GP and the STI clinic are the right place, but a meeting where protection is a given and you can ask anything is exactly how I work. Curious? Write me whenever you like, and I'll take it from there, no rush.