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Sexual Attitudes and Practices
Sexually Transmitted Disease (STDs)
Drug Use | HIV and AIDS
Teen Parenting | Planning the Future
Sexual Attitudes and Practices
- From Kwan: What are the most common STDs?
William says: The most common STDs are:
- HIV/AIDS
- Chlamydia
- Genital herpes
- Genital warts
- Gonorrhea
- Syphilis
- Trichomoniasis
Health Power has a brochure or pamphlet that provides information about each of these.
- From Nakima: Is genital herpes dangerous?
Ryan Says: It can be if the disease is transmitted to other parts of the body or to another person. Eye infections can lead to blindness, and brain infections can develop into a fatal form of encephalitis. Genital herpes can be transmitted during sex because it may not be possible to tell if there is infection by looking.
- From Achu: How can you tell if someone has an STD?
Corey says: You may not always be able to tell if someone has an STD, simply by just looking at them. Certain STDs do however have physical traits which can easily be spotted, such as genital warts and herpes. Some other STDs, like HIV, are not physically visible, so you would have to get a lab test to detect these diseases in your system.
- Brian asked: Should you get tested for STDs if you are sexually active?
Reenee says: You should always get tested from STDs if you are sexually active. You can never know if someone has an STD by looking at them or talking to them. The only way for either of you to be sure is to get tested.
- From Tee: Is it possible for someone to increase their chances of getting an STD?
Corey says: Yes, for obvious reasons too. Such as having unprotected sex with someone. And the more people you have unprotected sex with, the greater your chances of getting an STD. Also, if you don't know who your partner is, then you don't know what types of diseases they may have had (or still have).
- From Domenica: How is your life affected by living with an STD?
Corey says: Living with some STDs may not alter your regular daily living much. But living with some of the more major STDs such as HIV/AIDS can have a major draw on your life. You may not be able to participate in certain activities that you were able to do before, or be around the same people. People who know you have HIV/AIDS may become fearful of being around you because of their ignorance of the disease, and just this itself can cut your social life back greatly.
- Ciara asked: Should you make your sex partner take a STD test?
Reenee says: You should always encourage your partner to take an STD test because you can never tell if someone has an STD by looking at them. The only way to find out the truth about your partner is to have him or her get tested. However, even if a person has a negative test, if they have unprotected sex, they can still get a STD.