FAQs
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It’s really great that your partner was so open and honest about his or her STD testing results. It’s often hard…
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Many people use the motto: “Safer sex or no sex!” While this can be the most protective way to look at using condoms,…
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An internal condom is a pouch made of nitrile that is worn internally—inside of the vagina during vaginal sex or inside…
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Herpes is the only STD that can be passed through kissing. This usually happens when one person has a sore on or around…
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Yes. Although the chance of getting or giving a sexually transmitted disease (STD) during oral sex is less likely than…
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HPV (human papillomavirus) is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that is caused by a virus. According to the Centers…
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Chlamydia and gonorrhea are common, curable infections caused by bacteria. But just because they are common and curable…
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There are three different kinds of STDs: bacterial, viral and parasitic. Bacterial infections are caused by bacteria.…
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Trichomoniasis (called trich for short) is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that is caused by a parasitic protozoa…
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HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. HIV is a viral infection that can lead to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency…
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Genital and oral herpes are caused by a virus called herpes simplex virus (HSV). The virus comes in two strains (types)…
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If neither of you has had any kind of sex, then it’s unlikely. But the tricky part is defining “virgin” and “sex.”…
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The most effective way to avoid getting an STD is to “abstain from” (avoid) sexual touching below the waist, such…
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No, it does not mean you should never have sex again. It does mean, however, that you should talk about your status to…
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Good for you for being honest and telling your partner that you have an STD. It can be a scary thing to do, and even if…
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You should always wait until you have finished all of your medication for any curable STD (such as chlamydia and gonorrhea)…
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There is no one test for all STDs. Generally, an STD test involves a blood sample, a urine sample or a culture, each taken…
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Yes, it’s possible to have an STD and have no symptoms. This also means that your partner can have one and not know…
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Health care providers test for STDs in several ways. Depending on the symptoms, they might do a physical examination of…
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It might seem like since you and your partner both have the same STD you cannot infect each other. Unfortunately, this…
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Most clinics and hospitals offer free or low-cost STD testing. Find a clinic near you or call 1-800-230-PLAN (7526) to…
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If you had vaginal, oral or anal sex without using a barrier method, such as a condom or dental dam, you could have been…
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Cold sores are caused by a strain (or type) of the herpes simplex virus (HSV), so if you have cold sores (which are sometimes…
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People who’ve been exposed to HIV through unprotected oral, anal or vaginal sex or by sharing needles may need to wait…
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