STD to STI
*Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD)
are now being called Sexually
Transmitted Infections (STI),
implying that these potentially
life-altering diseases are
minor infections everyone gets.
Other language changes to watch for and fight against include the change from sexually transmitted disease (STD) to sexually transmitted infection (STI) and sex education to sexuality education.

The STD to STI switch has been around for a few years, but it is worth repeating. Everyone gets an infection; it is a minor inconvenience. Not everyone gets a disease. Diseases need medical attention and are serious. By switching the language from STD to STI, groups want to downplay the seriousness of the illness.