Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are spread by
sexual contact involving the genitals, mouth, or rectum, and can also be spread
from a pregnant woman to her fetus before or during delivery. STDs, which
affect both men and women, are a worldwide public health concern.
By Laura Beil
Christen Childs woke up on September 12, 2009, in the pitch dark of early morning with what she thought was a pulled muscle in her leg. She reached down to massage the cramp, trying to fathom how her left calf could be so achingly sore when she hadn't made it to the gym in weeks. This was a Saturday — by Monday, her leg was swollen and hot, and when she tried to stand, jolts of pain shot up to her spine. She consulted her brother-in-law, a doctor, and he told her to go to the ER immediately...
Some STDs, such as HIV, can
take up to 6 months before they can be detected in the blood. Genital herpes
and the human papillomavirus (HPV) can be spread when symptoms are not present.
Even if you and your partner have been tested, use condoms for all sex until
you and your partner haven't had sex with another person for 6 months. Then get
symptoms of STDs, such as unusual discharge, sores,
redness, or growths in your and your partner's genital area, or pain while
Don't have more than one sex partner at a time. The
safest sex is with one partner who has sex only with you. Every time you add a
new sex partner, you are being exposed to all of the diseases that all of their
partners may have. Your risk for an STD increases if you have several sex
partners at the same time.
Use a condom every time you have sex. A condom is the best way
to protect yourself from STDs. Latex and polyurethane condoms do not let STD
viruses pass through, so they offer good protection from STDs. Condoms made
from sheep intestines do not protect against STDs.
water-based lubricant such as K-Y Jelly or Astroglide to help prevent tearing
of the skin if there is a lack of lubrication during sexual intercourse. Small
tears in the vagina during vaginal sex or in the rectum during anal sex allow
STDs to get into your blood.
Avoid douching if you are a woman,
because it can change the normal balance of organisms in the vagina and
increases the risk of getting an STD.
Be responsible. Avoid sexual
contact if you have symptoms of an infection or if you are being treated for an
STD or HIV. If you or your partner has herpes, avoid sexual contact when a
blister is present and use condoms at all other times.
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
May 08, 2008
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor.
Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this