Statistics show that more and more Boomers are contracting sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). It's not because we're old and frail! It's because we're still sexually active but aren't taking the necessary precautions.
It's not just the kids who have to practice safe sex. Here's everything you need to know about STD's and how you can be safe with your partner. Take the quiz now!
Condoms protect against all STD's.
False
True
Answer: False
Condoms offer total protection against some sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as HIV, gonorrhea and Chlamydia, but they can't fully prevent syphilis, genital herpes or warts.
You can't get STDs from oral sex.
False.
Although they're less common, STDs that can be passed on through oral sex include herpes, syphilis, Chlamydia and gonorrhea. It's also possible to catch HIV through oral sex if you have cuts or sores in your mouth, though there are few proven instances of this.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV), the virus strongly linked to cervical cancer, is one of the most common STDs.
Answer: True
According to the National Cancer Institute, over 25% of all women aged 14-59 have HPV.
HPV commonly causes genital warts.
Warts may appear on or in the vagina, cervix, penis, urethra, or anus. They are usually flesh-colored bumps, appearing alone or in cauliflower-like clusters. Most are painless, though some are painful, itchy, or both.
The risk for getting HIV/AIDS is declining.
HIV is one of the fastest-growing serious health conditions in the world. Drug treatment has increased the life expectancy of sufferers, but there's still no cure, and the virus can become drug-resistant.
Chlamydia and gonorrhea will go away by themselves.
Both of these infections are curable with antibiotics. However if they are left untreated, they can lead to infertility and Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) in women, or an inflamed prostate, urethral scarring, infertility, or epididymitis in men.
If you don't see anything strange on your partner, you don't need to use a condom.
STD's are often invisible. No telltale bumps, rashes, or other signs. You can't tell if someone has an STD. The only way to know for sure is to get tested.
You can only get herpes when your partner is having an outbreak that you can see.
Doctors recommend using a condom with a partner who has herpes even when he or she is between outbreaks. And if you're not sure if you have herpes, the only way to know is to get tested. Symptoms don't always show up.
Like herpes and HIV AIDS, no permanent cure exists for HPV.
Until scientists perfect ways to specifically target and kill the virus, no treatment for HPV is foolproof. Warts due to HPV can be removed, but the virus itself will still be present.
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