Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): Meaning and List
Biology · Reproductive Health · NEET
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are infections or diseases spread mainly through sexual intercourse. They are also called venereal diseases (VD) or reproductive tract infections (RTI). NCERT lists eight common STIs: gonorrhoea, syphilis, genital herpes, chlamydiasis, genital warts, trichomoniasis, hepatitis-B, and HIV/AIDS. Memory hook: "Go Save Gita's Cash, Get The Help" (Gonorrhoea, Syphilis, Genital herpes, Chlamydiasis, Genital warts, Trichomoniasis, Hepatitis-B, HIV) fixes the exact NCERT list NEET asks about.
The eight common STIs from NCERT grouped by causative agent, with the three that are not completely curable (hepatitis-B, genital herpes, HIV) marked separately — the two facts NEET tests most.
Your doubts, answered
Are STI, VD and RTI the same thing?
Yes. NCERT says infections or diseases transmitted through sexual intercourse are collectively called Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI), or Venereal Diseases (VD), or Reproductive Tract Infections (RTI). All three names mean the same group of diseases, so NEET can use any of them in a question.
How many common STIs does NCERT list?
NCERT lists eight common STIs: gonorrhoea, syphilis, genital herpes, chlamydiasis, genital warts, trichomoniasis, hepatitis-B and HIV (leading to AIDS). Learn this exact list in order, because NEET often gives a mixed list and asks you to pick the option that contains only STIs.
Is malaria or filaria a sexually transmitted disease?
No. Malaria and filaria are vector-borne (mosquito) diseases, not STIs. NEET puts them in options to trap you. Any list that includes malaria, filaria or cancer as an STI is wrong.
Can any STI spread without sexual contact?
Yes. Hepatitis-B and HIV can also spread by sharing injection needles or surgical instruments, blood transfusion, or from an infected mother to the foetus. This is why they are not only sexual diseases, but they are still counted as STIs.
Why does NCERT call STIs a major threat to a healthy society?
Early symptoms are often minor (itching, fluid discharge, slight pain, swelling in the genital region), and infected females are often asymptomatic. Social stigma delays testing. Untreated STIs can cause PID, abortions, still births, ectopic pregnancies, infertility or even cancer of the reproductive tract.
⚠️ The NEET trap ✗ Thinking malaria, filaria or cancer can be an STI because they are 'serious diseases'. ✓ Only the eight NCERT diseases are STIs. Malaria and filaria are vector-borne; cancer is not transmitted. So an option like 'Gonorrhoea, Syphilis, Genital herpes' is a valid all-STI list, but 'AIDS, Malaria, Filaria' is not. 🧠 NEET tests the exact NCERT list, not general disease knowledge.
Real NEET questions
NEET 2020
Select the option including all sexually transmitted diseases.
A · AIDS, Malaria, Filaria
B · Cancer, AIDS, Syphilis
C · Gonorrhoea, Syphilis, Genital herpes ✓
D · Gonorrhoea, Malaria, Genital herpes
Solution: NCERT lists gonorrhoea, syphilis, genital herpes, chlamydiasis, genital warts, trichomoniasis, hepatitis-B and HIV/AIDS as common STIs. Only option (C) contains three true STIs. Malaria and filaria are vector-borne diseases and cancer is not sexually transmitted, so the other options are wrong.
NEET 2019 (Odisha)
Which of the following sexually transmitted diseases do not specifically affect reproductive organs?
A · Genital warts and Hepatitis-B
B · Syphilis and Genital herpes
C · AIDS and Hepatitis-B ✓
D · Chlamydiasis and AIDS
Solution: Most STIs produce lesions or symptoms in the genital region. But HIV/AIDS (attacks the immune system) and hepatitis-B (attacks the liver) are systemic infections. They are sexually transmitted yet do not specifically target the reproductive organs, and both can also spread via shared needles, blood transfusion or infected mother to foetus.
Solved Reproductive Health NEET PYQs
Try the real previous-year questions from this chapter — each with the answer and a full solution.
STI stands for Sexually Transmitted Infection. It means any infection or disease that spreads mainly through sexual intercourse. It is also called venereal disease (VD) or reproductive tract infection (RTI).
What are the eight STIs in the NCERT list?
Gonorrhoea, syphilis, genital herpes, chlamydiasis, genital warts, trichomoniasis, hepatitis-B and HIV (leading to AIDS). This is the exact list NEET expects.
Which STI is the most dangerous?
According to NCERT, HIV infection (leading to AIDS) is the most dangerous and the most discussed STI. It is studied in detail in the Human Health and Disease chapter.
What are the early symptoms of most STIs?
Early symptoms are usually minor: itching, fluid discharge, slight pain and swellings in the genital region. Infected females are often asymptomatic, so infections can stay undetected for a long time.
What complications can untreated STIs cause?
Pelvic inflammatory diseases (PID), abortions, still births, ectopic pregnancies, infertility, or even cancer of the reproductive tract.
