September is Sexually Transmitted Infection Awareness Month
It is important to stay informed about your sexual health.
Many people think there are only two STDs — syphilis and gonorrhea. In fact, there are many other diseases that can be spread through sexual contact, including herpes, chlamydia, genital warts, vaginitis, viral hepatitis and HIV (the virus that causes AIDS). Without treatment, these diseases can lead to major health problems such as sterility (not being able to get pregnant), permanent brain damage, heart disease, cancer and even death. If you think you have been exposed to a sexually transmitted disease, you and your sex partner(s) should visit a health clinic or doctor for testing and treatment.
You may have been exposed to an STD and should get tested if you have ever:
- had sex (vaginal, anal or oral) without using a condom with someone who has an STD or HIV, or whose status you do not know;
- had sex without using a condom with someone who has ever injected drugs; or
- had many sex partners.
You can lower your risk for becoming infected with a disease spread during sex by:
- using a latex male condom or female condom the right way, every time you have sex;
- using the female condom that may offer better protection than the male condom against herpes and genital warts because it covers more of a woman’s external genitalia and is very resistant to tears;
- not using drugs and alcohol that can get in the way of you protecting yourself;
- having only one sex partner, whose status you know;
- not having sex with a person who shoots drugs or who ever did.
Remember: Most people who have an STD have no symptoms.
Therefore, you can’t tell by looking if a person is infected with a disease that can be passed to you during sex.
Protect Yourself!
Click HERE to learn more about the specific diseases that can be spread through sex. Information provided by New York State Department of Health.
STD Prevention
Click HERE to see a list of resources of STI testing schedules, and information and support for your sexual health.