Awareness of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)

First, test your "STD IQ" by answering the following questions:

1. What is the most common STD reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the U.S.?
2. Can you have an STD and not know it?
3. If you're pregnant and have an STD, can you pass it to your child?
4. Name one STD that can't be cured.
5. Name one way to protect yourself from getting an STD.

(Answers are listed at the end of this blog.)

Everyone is at risk

All of us, even infants, are at risk of contracting an STD, and one reason for this is the serious misconceptions many of us have about sexual activity. Just avoiding sexual intercourse, for example, will not always protect you from getting one of these infections.

Many of my younger patients in particular have mistaken beliefs about their sexual behavior. Some believe that to prevent pregnancy and infection, they should mainly avoid unprotected sexual intercourse. Unfortunately, some of my patients believe that oral sex and anal sex are "safer," so they limit themselves only to these two sexual behaviors. Some also believe that if they engage only in oral and anal sex, then they can continue thinking of themselves as virgins.

No sexual activity is 100% safe

From a medical standpoint, the truth is that any activity can transmit STDs if it involves skin-to-skin touching, or exposure to another person's genitals, mouth, or body fluids. Yes, this even means kissing.

It's a sobering thought to consider how easily STDs can be spread by sexual activities that many consider to be "safe." This is one reason why so many people around the world have sexually transmitted infections.

How do I protect myself?

Many of us, when we are under the influence of alcohol or other psychoactive drugs, tend to make less-than-wise choices about sex. This is why I consider overindulging in these substances to be the single most important behavior to address when trying to minimize the risks of STDs. This is because many people lose their inhibitions when intoxicated and so are more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors. Also, we become more vulnerable in this state, so that others might take advantage of us.

Another basic rule

If you've chosen to have sexual activity with a person, always assume that that person has an STD--and then proceed with caution. Just looking at a potential sexual partner will not tell you if he or she is infected. Your partner could look "clean" and healthy, and yet still have an STD.

Don't forget to include yourself

In fact, you could be the one who has the STD and not know it. This is why it is reasonable for both partners to be tested for STDs twice before they ever share sexual activity. That's right: both should remain abstinent until they have been tested for STDs two times--and the second test should follow the first by no fewer than two months. (Even this process is not perfect, however, since reliable screening tests have not been developed yet for some STDs.)

Follow your instincts

Finally, if you find yourself in an intimate situation that is making you feel uneasy, listen to that voice of uneasiness and act on it by removing yourself from the situation.

Answers to the questions

1. Chlamydia is the most common STD reported to the CDC.
2. Yes, you can have an STD and not know it. That's why it's so important to be screened.
3. Yes, pregnant women can pass STDs on to their fetuses. So be sure to get prenatal care; that way, you'll definitely be tested for STDs.
4. HIV and herpes simplex virus infections can't be cured, but they can be managed.
5. Ways to protect yourself from getting an STD:
   - Avoid alcohol and drugs, which can tempt us to cast off our inhibitions.
   - Use male condoms.
   - Get vaccinated against hepatitis B and the human papillomavirus (HPV).
   - Avoid anal intercourse.
   - Delay a sexual encounter until both partners have been tested twice.
   - Delay sexual activity until you are in a monogamous relationship.