Share affection, NOT infections!

It is February, love is in the air! But isnt it always? You can rest assured that there is always some love up in the air...somewhere, but you don't really know what's gonna happen down there.

So, how much do you know about Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)?

They are infections, spread from person to person during sex which could be vaginal, oral, anal or whatever else floats your boat. You do not need to have sex with multiple partners to get a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI), if you are unlucky you only need to have had unprotected sex once to get an infection or to pass one on! However, the more partners you have, the greater your chances are of getting a STI.

A general concept among the public is that the infections can only be spread out through sexual intercourse which is absolutely wrong; a person can get STDs, like herpes or genital warts, through skin-to-skin contact with an infected area or sore. So that means, any sexual activity not just intercourse can lead to the transmission of infections.

Another common myth about STDs is having oral or anal sex can’t get you infected, which is NOT TRUE!!! It is very important to be aware about the outcomes of penetrative sex and non-penetrative skin to skin contact, so you can have a good time without any regrets!

Many STIs don’t always have symptoms so you may not be aware that you have caught an infection and if left untreated STIs can cause long term damage to your health, including causing infertility.

STDs including chlamydia and gonorrhea, which have no symptoms — can affect fertility. An untreated STD can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which is an infection that can scar the fallopian tubes which can prevent an egg from becoming fertilized or keep a fertilized egg from reaching the womb- simply infertility in short.

Chlamydia and gonorrhea can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease. Hepatitis B and hepatitis C can lead to liver diseases. Herpes causes outbreaks of painful sores. HIV compromises immune system and can lead to AIDS. Syphilis begins with painless open sores but eventually damages organs and can be fatal. Sexually transmitted infections like Hepatitis B and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) can also be prevented through vaccination.

Most people with herpes have no or very mild symptoms, that’s why you can’t just look for sores. The risk of exposure to number of STDs like chlamydia, syphilis and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) by oral, anal sex and mutual masturbation is relatively high. And HPV is linked to cervical, anal, throat and penile cancer. Generally, people affected with gonorrhea don’t have symptoms either.

Condoms don't provide a hundred percent protection from most common STDs because these contraceptive devices only cover the genitals. The infected sores could be on other areas such as thighs, buttocks and other regions.

Worried? You should be. Getting tested is imperative to continue your and your partner’s healthy sex life.

Also are your ready to be a parent?

If not, then, emergency contraception is always there but most important thing is emergency contraception does not protect you from sexually transmitted infections. STIs should be treated within 72 hours of exopsure, while emergency contraception can be provided within 120 hours. In fact, IUD can be inserted up to 5 days after unprotected sex. But to keep in mind that no method is hundred percent effective.

Few prevention methods:

● Condoms

● Contraceptive pill

● Intrauterine device or system (IUD/IUS)

● Contraceptive injection

● Vaginal ring

● Contraceptive patch

● Natural family planning

Lastly, when it comes down to having sex or close intimacy- “NO” is always no, end of the story. NEVER force yourself on ANYONE. It is a crime, it is a human right violation. Don’t do anything you wouldn’t want someone else to do to you. Now get yourself tested and go make some sweet sweet love! P.S. if however ,you want to destroy you are single, here are some Pick up lines to help .