Sexual Health News
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Introduction
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are more common than many people realise. And there are plenty of them.
Most people know that HIV (the virus that can leads to AIDS-related illness) can be passed through sexual intercourse. But so can other STIs, such as:
- Genital Warts
- Herpes
- Crabs’ (pubic lice)
- ChlamydiaSyphilis
- Gonorrhoea.
And there are others (Hepatitis B, for instance, can be passed this way). But most can be easily avoided, particularly through using condoms. Or practising non-penetrative sex (sex not involving the penis or a sex toy entering the vagina or anus). With regards to genital warts, however, it is important to avoid genital to genital contact (if the wart virus is "live"), or avoid genital contact with fingers or hands that have warts on them. Also, with regards to herpes, it is also sensible to avoid oral sex with someone who has active cold sores on their lips.
So if you want to protect yourself (and avoid soreness, itching and possibly much worse), practice Safer Sex and, in particular, use a condom!