These two terms refer to sexually transmitted diseases and infections. Anyone who has sex can get one - not only those who've had numerous partners. There are many different types of sexually transmitted diseases and infections. Most STDs and STIs are easily treatable. Some however, have no symptoms so if you're sexually active, it's important to visit your doctor for regular check-ups.

NYU Student Health Center (SHC) offers STI testing. SHC is located on the 3rd and 4th Floors of 726 Broadway (at Waverly Place). To make an appointment, call 212-443-1000. Confidential HIV testing is also available at SHC. Call 212-443-1122 to schedule and appointment. For a list of clinics in New York City that offer free or low-cost STI testing, visit Health Promotion & Wellness Services at SHC or call 212-443-1234. See similar questions...

VRE is usually passed to others by direct contact with stool, urine or blood containing VRE. It can also be spread indirectly via the hands of healthcare providers or on contaminated environmental surfaces. VRE usually is not spread through casual contact such as touching or hugging. VRE is not spread through the air by coughing or sneezing. See similar questions...

There is still much debate in the scientific community regarding how BSE is spread. At the present time, BSE is thought to be spread in tissue from the central nervous system (brain, spinal cord) as well as distal ileum, some of which can be present in meat and bone meal. BSE is not spread by animal-to-animal contact. In other words, an animal infected with BSE cannot infect another animal with which it is penned or pastured. See similar questions...

Wild waterfowl are the natural reservoir of all influenza A viruses. They have probably carried influenza viruses, including H5 and H7 subtypes in the low pathogenic form with no apparent harm for centuries. Evidence now suggests that migratory birds can introduce low pathogenic H5 and H7 viruses into poultry flocks and these then mutate to the highly pathogenic form. See similar questions...

The primary way that SARS appears to spread is by close person-to-person contact. SARS-CoV is thought to be transmitted most readily by respiratory droplets (droplet spread) produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Droplet spread can happen when droplets from the cough or sneeze of an infected person are propelled a short distance (generally up to 3 feet) through the air and deposited on the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose, or eyes of persons who are nearby. See similar questions...

Fire ants reproduce opportunistically when conditions are wet and warm. They are found in all types of soil, but they do better in open pastures and sunny, grassy places than in thick shaded woods. Grassy medians of freeway and mowed pipeline and powerline rights of ways provide prime "freeways" for the ants too. Polygyne colonies (those with multiple queens/mound) can reproduce by budding off new colonies and spread by walking a few meters per year. See similar questions...

TB is spread through the air from one person to another. The bacteria get into the air when a person with TB disease of the lungs or throat coughs, shouts, sings, or sneezes. People nearby may breathe in the bacteria and become infected. You may have been exposed to TB if you spent a lot of time near someone with TB disease of the lungs or throat. Most people get TB from a family member, spouse, friend, or close coworker. See similar questions...

The virus is easily passed from person to person by breathing in air containing virus produced when an infected person talks, coughs or sneezes. It can spread through hand/face contact after touching a person or surface contaminated with the virus. See similar questions...

In the United States, the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) (in order of highest number of estimated new cases each year) are genital HPV infection, trichomoniasis, Chlamydia, genital herpes, gonorrhea, hepatitis B, syphilis, and HIV/AIDS. See similar questions...

Bacterial and parasitic sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can be treated with antibiotics. These STIs include Chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and trichomoniasis. However, if left untreated, these STIs can cause serious and permanent adverse health effects, including infertility. See similar questions...

See your doctor if you're at risk for having an STI, if you have any STI symptoms or if you have concerns about whether you have one. STIs can cause problems if left untreated. For example, chlamydia can lead to problems that can cause women not to be able to have children. HPV can lead to cancer of the cervix or penis, and syphilis can lead to paralysis, mental problems, heart damage, blindness and death. See similar questions...

Most STIs can be diagnosed through an exam by your doctor, a culture of the secretions from your vagina or penis, or through a blood test. See similar questions...

Yes. The only sure way to prevent STIs is by not having sex. If you have sex, you can lower your risk by only having sex with someone who isn't having sex with anyone else and who doesn't have an STI. See similar questions...