What is the difference between STD and HIV?

STD is an abbreviation for sexually transmitted diseases, which can be contracted through risky sexual behavior. The term refers to diseases like chlamydia, herpes, and gonorrhea, whereas HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It is the virus that causes HIV. These diseases are spread through sexual contact with a patient who has the disease. HIV is a virus that spreads through several means, sexual contact being one of them.

There is a close link between STD's and HIV. People who already have an STD are twice as likely to contract HIV. Once an individual contracts HIV, they are likely to develop flu-like symptoms that are the hallmark of HIV.