Some information for all of us..............................

What is STD or STI

A sexually transmitted disease (STD) or infection (STI) is serious, sometimes painful, and can cause a lot of damage. Some STIs infect your sexual and reproductive organs. Others (HIV, hepatitis B, syphilis) cause general body infections. STIs used to be called VDs, or venereal diseases.

An STI is spread during sexual activity. It is spread during vaginal, anal and oral sex. Some STIs ( hiv and hepatitis B) are also spread by contact with infected blood.

Most STI germs need to live in warm, moist areas. That's why they infect the mouth, rectum and sex organs (vagina, vulva, penis and testes).

Most STIs can be cured if you seek treatment. Sometimes you can have an STI with no signs or symptoms. Other times, the symptoms go away on their own. Either way, you still have the STI until you get treated. Some STIs cannot be cured.

Protecting Yourself

Not having sex is the best way to protect yourself from STIs. Having sex with only one uninfected partner who only has sex with you is also safe. Here are other things you can do to protect yourself:

* Use a latex condom (or "rubber") every time for vaginal, anal and oral sex. Condoms will help protect you from STIs much of the time. Both men and women should carry condoms.
* In addition to condoms, use birth control foam, cream or jelly. These kill many STI germs.
* Talk to your partner about past sex partners and about needle drug use. Don't have sex with someone who you think may have an STI.
* Before you have sex, look closely at your partner for any sign of an STI -- a rash, a sore, redness or discharge. If you see anything you are worried about, don't have sex!
* Get checked for an STI every time you have a health exam. If you have more than one sex partner, get examined for an STI any time you think you might be at risk, even if you don't have symptoms.
* Know the signs and symptoms of an STI. If you notice a symptom that worries you, get checked out!
* If you have an STI, your partner(s) must get treated when you do.
* If you have an STI, don't have sex until your doctor says you're cured.


Levels of Risk

HIV and STI Risk Continuum - Nancy Brown, Senior Research Associate, 1997

No Risk (Activities that do not include an exchange of bodily fluids.)
* Holding/hugging
* Dry kissing
* Masturbation (alone)
* Petting
* Foreplay (without bodily fluid exchange)

Probably Safe (Barrier protected activities, or very little bodily fluid contact.)
* French/deep kissing
* Mutual masturbation, with a barrier to prevent fluid exchange
* Oral sex with a condom, dam or plastic wrap
* Analingus (rimming, butt licking) with a dam or plastic wrap
* Vaginal intercourse with a condom
* Anal intercourse with a condom

Risky (Activities during which exchange of bodily fluids might create some danger of transmitting HIV.)
* Vaginal sex, without a condom, with a monogamous partner who tested negative for HIV
* Anal sex, without a condom, with a monogamous partner who tested negative for HIV
* Vaginal sex with a needle user using a condom

High Risk (Unprotected intercourse without a barrier.)
* Oral sex with fluid exchange (no barrier)
* Oral sex without a barrier, with a partner who tested positive for HIV
* Oral sex, without a barrier, with a prostitute
* Vaginal intercourse without a condom
* Vaginal sex, without a condom, with a partner whose sexual history you do not know
* Vaginal sex, without a condom, with a man who has sex with men
* Vaginal sex without a condom, with a partner who has had sex with an IV drug user
* Anal intercourse without a condom
* Analingus (rimming, butt licking) without a dam or plastic wrap

I CAN CHOOSE TO BE SAFE!
I can choose not to have sex. I can choose only to have safer sex and always use a condom correctly. I can choose to say no to alcohol and other drugs. I can talk to my partner about sex and HIV.

REMEMBER IT'S NOT WHO YOU ARE THAT PUTS YOU AT RISK FOR HIV, IT'S WHAT YOU DO.

The above material is taken from “A teen’s guide to HIV and AIDS.” Copyright 1995 Journeyworks Publishing.