There’s nothing at all that is good about them. STD are dangerous
They’re ugly. There not romantic. There’s nothing at all that is good about them. Sexually transmitted diseases are dangerous, plain and simple. Left untreated STDs can cause serious health risks and even death. If you are sexually active it is important to be careful and take steps to make sure you are STD free.
Obviously the easiest way to remain free and clear of sexually transmitted diseases is to avoid sexual contact altogether. As schools have been teaching in sex education classes for years, abstinence is the only way to 100% guarantee you won’t contract something. Truthfully, abstinence isn’t even 100% STD proof. Some diseases can be transferred from contact with infected blood or tissue, such as the sharing of needles. Drug use greatly increases the risk of contracting an STD even if you are sexually inactive.
But abstinence isn’t necessarily the most practical method of remaining free and clear of STDs and healthy. Let’s face it, sex is enjoyable and not many people are going to steer entirely clear of sexual activity entirely. So if you are sexually active, or thinking about becoming sexually active with someone, take the following steps to make sure you stay STD free.
First, always use a condom. Birth control offers no protection against STDs. Just because you or your partner may be on the pill doesn’t mean you are safe against diseases. Having sex with multiple partners significantly increases the risks of getting an STD. Using a condom correctly will help protect you from contracting a souvenir you never expected. Even if you are in a committed and monogamous relationship, using condoms is good advice. Unless you’ve been together for quite a long time, chances are you haven’t delved into the delicate subject of your partners past. It’s a difficult conversation to have in the first place, and often times people either don’t remember or aren’t willing to admit to the number of past partners they might have had. Think of it this way, if you have unprotected sex with someone, it’s like you’re having unprotected sex with everyone they’ve ever had sex with too. It can be a scary thought.
Secondly, if you are adult enough to have sex, be adult enough to schedule regular std testing. Ideally, you should be tested after every new partner or unprotected sexual encounter. This way you know, and your next partner will appreciate knowing you are disease free. However, at the very least it is important to be tested at least once every year, even if you only have one partner.
If you think you may have come in contact with a STD it is important to get tested as soon as possible. In some cases you can have same day STD testing done. Getting immediate results can be important to keeping your partner safe and getting treatment immediately. The sooner you know whether you have an STD or not, the sooner you can get treatment and resume your normal life.
While most STDs are treatable with medication and antibiotics there are some STDs for which there is no treatment available. HIV is the most well known STD for which there is currently no cure. According the Center for Disease Control (CDC) there are approximately 30,000 new cases of HIV each year and there are over 1 Million people living in the United States with HIV or AIDS. Herpes is another dangerous STD for which there is at this time no cure. Even if a person is not showing signs of an outbreak they can transfer herpes through sexual activity. Herpes outbreaks are treatable and there are medications for managing herpes, but even with medication it is possible to transfer the disease. If you think you’ve been sexually active with someone who may have herpes it is important to obtain herpes testing immediately and consult with a physician.
The best protection from an STD is a combination of knowing your partner, using a condom, and regular testing. Whether you are in your teens or your fifties it is important to educate yourself about the risks associated with sexual activity and take the necessary precautions during intercourse. Sex should be an enjoyable experience between two people and by acting responsible and considering not only your own health, but the health of your partner, sex can be a rewarding experience.
This article was written by Kirstin Douglas. To learn more about STDs or want to get more information on std testing and herpes testing check out http://www.nationalstdtesting.com.
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