Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)— also known as sexually transmissible diseases, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or (infrequently) venereal diseases (VD) — are diseases or infections that have a significant probability of transmission between humans by means of sexual contact: vaginal intercourse, oral sex, and/or anal sex.

Classification and terminology

Until the 1990s, such afflictions were commonly known as venereal diseases: Veneris is the Latin genitive (possessive) form of the name Venus, the Roman goddess of love. More recently, public health officials introduced newer terms such as sexually transmitted disease in efforts to improve the clarity of their warnings to the public.