It just takes ONE time

and it COULD happen to YOU!!!

The ABC’s of STI’s
Written by Sarah Millar - Staff Writer
Wednesday, 26 October 2005

People sometimes think that because they are only having sex with one person, it means they can ditch the condom. What couples have to realize is that before the condom gets ditched, it is vital that both partners get tested for sexually transmitted infections (STI's).

It is important to note that when it comes to STI's, if you perform oral sex without protection, you are at just as much risk of catching an STI as you would be if you had unprotected intercourse.

Most people believe they will be able to tell when their partner has an STI. This is usually not the case. Although genital herpes (blisters on the genitals) can usually be seen, a lot of other STI's like HIV/AIDS and chlamydia cannot be seen on the outside.

In fact, chlamydia is one of the main STI's affecting people our age. One of the reasons that so many people catch it is because, more often than not, both men and women present no symptoms or signs of having the disease. In order to diagnose chlamydia, a swab must be taken from the cervix or penis.

However, chlamydia is a treatable disease and usually clears up after the infected person takes a dose of antibiotics. If left untreated, chlamydia can cause infertility and can cause complications during pregnancy.

Another common STI is genital herpes, which are blisters or cold sores in the genital area. Symptoms for this STI vary from person to person. One person may have very mild symptoms, while another may have no symptoms at all. There is no cure for genital herpes, but there are antiviral drugs used to help speed healing during an outbreak.

Although we are no longer in the 1980s AIDS crisis. HIV/AIDS has not gone away. Millions of people still die from the disease every year and there is no cure. Although there are drugs that help prolong an infected person's life, AIDS is fatal. Symptoms of HIV are similar to flu symptoms. A blood test is performed to determine if you have HIV and you cannot be tested for the virus until at least three months after the possible infection date, as it takes HIV antibodies three to six months to appear.

Remember, in order to get an STI, your bodily fluids must come in contact with another's. This could be through unprotected intercourse or if you give unprotected oral sex. A condom is the best way to protect yourself - it doesn't spoil the mood but it helps to eliminate the chance that you could catch an STI.

Like pregnancy, it only takes one time of not using protection to catch an STI. Don't assume your partner is being honest with you. If you really love one another, then you should go and get tested together.

If you are having casual sex with different partners, make sure to use protection. After all, sex is supposed to be fun - it's definitely not worth losing your life over.