Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Prevention

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) or Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) or Venereal Diseases (VD) are acquired when you have sex with an infected person, whether it’s oral, anal or vaginal. Further the infections can be transmitted even by skin-to-skin contact.

To prevent the bacteria, viruses and parasites that cause STDs from infecting a person, I discovered the following measures.

1. Abstain from sex.
2. Have sex only with only with an uninfected partner with whom you have a long-term, monogamous relationship (for both persons).
3. Use Condoms, male or female, for all kinds of sex.
4. Know whether a partner has an STD or has suffered from it earlier or not.
5. Know whether a partner is an intravenous (IV) drug user.
6. Don’t drink alcohol or take drugs when there’s a possibility of sex following it. Because when you are intoxicated the chances of you engaging in high risk sex increase.

In my opinion STI prevention isn’t just about preventing yourself form acquiring them, but also about preventing your partner from getting them through you. I think responsibility is important.

Some common STDs are Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Herpes Simplex, HIV/AIDS, HPV, Syphilis, and Trichomoniasis.