A
male
age
41-50,
ArmyMedic
writes:STI/STD what are they and how do you catch them?An STI is a sexually transmitted infection this is the "in vogue" name for what used to be called an Sexually transmitted disease (STD) This can range from pubic lice to AIDS and Hepatitis with many in between.The key to prevent infection is to understand how it is transmitted. All diseases are transmitted in the following way:Carrier (The infected person) - Vector (a means of transporting the infection) - Target (YOU!)Think of the Carrier as a ZOMBIE they carry the T virus and go around biting Targets to spread the Infection once they have bitten a target, that target becomes a Carrier, and this is how the Zombie apocalypse would spread.STIs are the same, but not always spread by bites! So lets look at STI the Carrier is anyone you are going to have sex with that hasn't been checked out recently.The Vector is the difficult bit, most STIs are spread by direct skin contact, or by bodily fluids (I won't give examples), but sometimes the vector is, what in medicine we call a Fomite (an inanimate object capable of spreading infection) this can be anything from a towel or a razor through to shared sex toys or using the same condom with two different partners (threesomes) The way to prevent getting an infection is to break the chain therefore we must, identify and treat the carrier, prevent vectors and protect the target.This looks very complicated but in fact it is very easy:- Before engaging in a sexual activity, make sure your partner (Carrier) has been checked out for STIs and get checked regularly. - Never EVER share anything that has been in contact with anyone else's genital area.- Always wear condoms, the pill is just a contraceptive and won't stop AIDs and other nasties!Signs and Symptoms vary so a good rule is if it doesn't seem right see your doctor and tell him the truth otherwise he could be treating you for the wrong thing.If you have any questions on STIs please feel free to ask me.
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aids , condom, sex toy, the pill Reply to this Article
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male
reader, ArmyMedic +, writes (9 May 2009):
ArmyMedic is verified as being by the original poster of the question A couple more points to add to this post:
- Pubic lice (Crabs) is almost extinct in the UK as so many people shave their pubic hair.
- STIs can be caught through open wounds and mucous membranes (mouth, eyes, nose, anywhere moist) so make sure they are protected also. I know some one who got chlamydia in his eyes!
- Don't have sex (even protected) if they have any kind of unexplained sores around their genitals!
A
male
reader, ArmyMedic +, writes (1 May 2009):
ArmyMedic is verified as being by the original poster of the questionPlease feel free to link this, that is the reason I wrote it in the first place. I really feel there isn't enough education at any level on this kind of thing.
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A
female
reader, LilPixie +, writes (30 April 2009):
 Great article :)
I was planning on writing an article on this as I only recently had an STD scare myself... and I was wondering if it's alright if i use this as a link, as i think it will really be helpful to those who haven't had any sex education (mind you, mine isn't the best).
xx
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A
female
reader, birdynumnums  +, writes (22 April 2009):
 Nice Article!
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A
reader, anonymous, writes (19 April 2009): Hey, just want to say : Great information (and advice) you're giving on here! A lot of people won't know about STI's/STD's, so this will benefit them. Keep up the good work =)
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