Which statement about STIs is accurate?

• A. HAV is a commonly transmitted sexually transmitted infection
• B. HPV is a sexually transmitted infection
• C. HCV is not an STI
• D. HIV is not sexually transmitted

Answer: (B)

Understanding which infections are spread through sexual contact helps explain why this statement is accurate. HPV is transmitted primarily through sexual activity and intimate skin-to-skin contact in the genital area. People can pass it to partners even without symptoms, and it can lead to health issues ranging from genital warts to certain cancers, which is why HPV is classified as a sexually transmitted infection and vaccination is recommended to prevent the most dangerous strains.

The other statements don’t fit as well because HAV is mainly spread via the fecal-oral route, typically through contaminated food or water, with sexual transmission being less common. HCV is primarily a bloodborne infection, spread by sharing needles or exposure to blood, and sexual transmission is not the usual route. HIV is indeed sexually transmitted, so saying it is not sexually transmitted is incorrect.