How can I protect myself against STDs and HIV?

The best way to avoid getting sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) is not to have any kind of sexual contact. This means no penis to vagina, oral sex or anal sex contact. This is true for HIV/AIDS as well. When you have sexual intercourse, you must use a new condom the right way every time to help prevent HIV and other STDs.

You and your partner should know each other well enough to talk about your past sexual history.

You should be able to find out if your partner

• Has ever tested positive for HIV or other STDs

• Used any birth control methods, mainly condoms

• Considers your safety

• Has or had other sex partners

Using more than one barrier method at the same time gives you even more protection against STDs and accidental pregnancy. A popular duo is foam and condoms. Barrier methods include:

• Male condoms

• Female condoms

• Spermicidal foams, gels, tablets, suppositories, vaginal film

• Diaphragms

• Cervical caps

Sometimes you don’t know. Many people can have an STD and have no symptoms. Women will sometimes notice a change in their menstrual cycle, have an unusual vaginal discharge, or irregular bleeding. Men may have a discharge from their penis. Women or men may feel itching or burning in their genital area. Sometimes unusual bumps can be felt. If you notice anything unusual and you have had sexual contact with anyone, call your health care provider.

An STD must be treated in the right way as soon as possible. Left untreated they can spread from person to person and lead to an outbreak of STDs. Some untreated STDs can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) or infertility (not able to have children). Untreated STDs can also lead to problems during pregnancy. Some can infect a baby during birth. Cervical cancer, scarring of tubes in women and men, and many other abnormal conditions can also happen.

If your health care provider gives you medications to treat a STD, follow the instructions carefully. Be sure to take all of your prescription. You should avoid any sexual contact until you finish your treatment. You should also be tested for HIV. STDs and HIV may happen together. Your sex partner should be tested and treated at the same time that you are. If you need help in how to tell your partner that they need to be tested, call the family planning clinic.

Certain STDs caused by viruses have no cures. Treatment is aimed at physical and emotional comfort. Using a new condom the right way for each act of sexual intercourse will help protect you and your partner against HIV and other STDs. If you or your partner have been diagnosed with an STD you should always protect each other by using a condom. The STDs caused by viruses include:

• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

• Human papilloma virus (HPV)

• Genital herpes (HSV-2)

• Hepatitis B and C

State law mandates that health care providers must report all positive HIV tests to the health department. They are also required to report positive results of most STD tests. Reporting these tests does not break confidentiality. The public health officials who receive the test results and your name must protect that information.