1 If I only engage in oral sex, I can't contract a sexually transmitted infection

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  • The Truth
    STIs can be transmitted through oral sex, vaginal sex, anal sex and in some cases, heavy petting. Penile penetration is not a prerequisite for disease transmission. In fact, the number of cases of gonorrhea of the throat are increasing!

2 If I have an STI, I will recognize the symptoms immediately
 

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  • The Truth
    In most women (and some men), there are often virtually NO symptoms of STIs. Not only can a partner not tell if a woman or man has an STI, the person with the STI often does not know.

3 I can avoid infection and pregnancy if I douche immediately following sexual intercourse

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  • The Truth
    Some women believe that flushing the vagina with water or antiseptic is good hygiene, and prevents infection or pregnancy. However, douching does not prevent infection and may cause problems by destroying useful bacteria in the vagina which help keep the area healthy. It's just easier to use a condom!

4 Two-thirds of all STIs occur in people 25 years of age or younger
 

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  • In most women (and some men), there are often virtually NO symptoms of STIs. Not only can a partner not tell if a woman or man has an STI, the person with the STI often does not know.

5 All contraceptives protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

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  • The Truth
    The only contraceptive that offers such protection is the condom. Even other barrier methods, such as the diaphragm, do nothing to keep bacteria out of the vagina, and the Pill offers no STI protection at all.

6 You can catch some STIs just by touching or kissing an infected area

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  • People get STIs from other people during unprotected sexual contact (without a condom). Sexual CONTACT...not just sex.

7 A person can have an STI and not know it
 

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  • It is possible for anyone who has had a previous sexual partner to be carrying an STI without knowing it.

8 Once you have had an STI and have been cured, you can’t get it again

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  • The Truth
    For those particular STIs that can be cured, every one of them you can get again if you do not practice safer sex. Some STIs are not curable.

9 A pregnant woman who has an STI can pass the disease on to her baby

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  • Chlamydia, herpes, HIV/AIDS, gonorrhea, and syphilis can all pass on either the disease itself of other infections (i.e. pneumonia, eye infections) to the baby.

10 Condoms can help prevent the spread of STIs
 

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  • If used correctly, latex (or polyurethane) condoms provide excellent prevention against the spread of most STIs.

11 Signs of STI’s occur only in the genital areas

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  • The Truth
    STI’s can be transmitted via any mucous membrane, and some are transmitted via skin-to-skin contact. Symptoms of blood born infections, such as Hepatitis B and HIV/AIDS occur throughout the body. Chlamydia and gonorrhea affect the throat and eyes while herpes can affect the genitals, eyes and lips.

12 Most STIs go away without treatment, if people wait long enough

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  • The Truth
    STIs will never go away without treatment – they will only get worse. Always consult a physician as soon as possible if you think you might have an STI.