Since it can be awkward to have an open and honest conversation with your healthcare provider about sex, many go to their friends for answers. We get it. But, our friends don’t always have the right answers.
Getting misinformation about STDs may increase the spread and your risk. With one of every five Americans carrying an STD at any given moment (half of whom are ages 15-24), we can’t shy away from this topic.
Read on to learn important STD facts and why you should get tested, even in a relationship.
No. It’s true that cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV-1). However, HSV-1 is an oral virus spread by saliva and skin-to-skin contact from one person to another, such as kissing. A cold sore that is caused by HSV-1 is not an STD.
Once cold sores clear, the HSV-1 virus remains dormant. But there are potential triggers that can cause the virus to reactivate and new cold sores to appear, such as:
HSV-2 is the virus that causes genital herpes, which is spread through sexual contact (oral, vaginal, or anal) and is considered an STD.
It is possible to transmit HSV-1 from your mouth to your partner’s genital area through oral sex. While not as common, HSV-2 can also spread through oral sex and appear around your mouth. Therefore, if you have visible sores anywhere, you should refrain from all sexual activity (including kissing) until they are completely healed.
It depends. STDs can be asymptomatic or undiagnosed, so it’s possible to have an STD from a prior partner and unknowingly pass it along. Common STDs like gonorrhea and chlamydia often do not show any symptoms. Other STDs, such as human papillomavirus (HPV) can take weeks, months, or even years for symptoms to develop.
Any STD with an incubation period will likely take time for symptoms to show and/or a positive test result to come back. Therefore, if you and your partner did not get tested before the relationship began, it’s possible to test positive for an STD – even if you are both monogamous.
Testing regularly for STDs, even when you don’t have symptoms, is the only way to know for sure. vybe offers discrete and confidential testing at all our centers.
Yes. Many types of STDs like gonorrhea, chlamydia, and genital herpes can be passed through non-penetrative sexual activities, such as kissing or oral sex, or even just skin-to-skin contact. The bacteria and viruses responsible for these STDs can also live in the mouth, rectum, or body fluids.
Although it’s rare, STDs can also be passed through non-sexual activities like sharing a toothbrush, clothing, or bedding. The transmission may occur when bodily fluids from an infected person get onto surfaces or objects, followed by hand-to-mouth, hand-to-genital, or even hand-to-eye contact. Ask your vybe provider to learn more.
Unlikely. While there’s a small chance that certain STDs will go away on their own, such as HPV, most will persist if not treated. Some viral STDs stay with you for life no matter what, such as herpes or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
Left untreated, STDs can be very detrimental to your health. For example, gonorrhea and chlamydia (which are usually symptom-free) can lead to fertility issues, ectopic pregnancy, pelvic inflammatory disease, or cervical cancer.
Syphilis often does not have symptoms either – and even when symptoms do appear, they only flare up for a short time before disappearing. Late-stage untreated syphilis can severely damage your nervous system, brain, heart, or other organs. It could even kill you.
STDs are extremely common and may be harmful if left untreated. You should get tested right away if:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other health agencies recommend getting tested at least once a year if you are sexually active – and more often if you have multiple partners or are not in a monogamous relationship.
To get informed about your sexual health, vybe provides discreet and confidential STD testing. vybe is open seven days a week with extended hours and multiple convenient locations, walk-in or schedule an appointment today.
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