The Truth about Catching STDs and HIV

How Can I Catch STDs & HIV? That may seem like a simple question to answer, but it isn't ! number o" myths surroun# the sub$ect o" STDs an# makes it e%en more important to ha%e the ri&ht knowle#&e o" it that is comin& "rom a reliable source The innumerable occasions when HIV an# hepatitis in"ections in patients ha%e been sprea# "rom unsanitary equipment an# unsa"e practices in se%eral cities are proo" o" the kin# o" unawareness pre%alent as "ar as STDs an# HIV is concerne#' Here are some questions you mi&ht be askin& about the #i""erent ways STDs, HIV an# se(ually transmitte# in"ections )STIs* can be sprea#, an# our answers about your real risks Can I catch STDs from a toilet seat or public restrooms?

No. The or&anisms that coul# sprea# HIV or an STD like chlamy#ia, &onorrhea, herpes simple( or syphilis $ust can't sur%i%e on the har#, col# sur"ace o" a toilet seat !n# urine #oesn't sprea# STDs )It's actually sterile'* !lso know that while public sinks an# "aucets are home to many &erms, those responsible "or STDs aren't amon& them )+ut remember to wash your han#s, anyway * Am I likel to catch an STD from kissing? No. ,hile oral herpes - usually col# sores or blisters aroun# the mouth cause# by herpes simple( %irus . - is sprea# throu&h kissin&, other STDs aren't &enerally sprea# by mouth-to-mouth contact Am I at real risk from HIV if I drink out of the same glass as someone !ho"s HIV#? No. HIV an# all other STDs an# STIs are usually sprea# throu&h bloo#, semen, %a&inal "lui#s or &enital contact, an# not "rom sali%a HIV can't sur%i%e in the open air, so it coul#n't be transmitte# by sharin& &lasses, #ishes, or cutlery Here's are some other thin&s to cross o"" your serious /STD risk/ list0 han#shakes, hu&s, hot tubs, swimmin& pools, towels, clothin&, telephones, #oor knobs an# insect bites Is intercourse the onl !a to get an STD or HIV? Definitel not$ 1any people #on't reali2e that HIV an# STDs can easily be sprea# by oral se( an# any &enital contact which inclu#es touchin& an# %ariations on anal se( Same se( partners, both men an# women, shoul# always "ollow sa"e se( practices Can I condom protect m self %&&' from STDs and HIV? (nfortunatel ou cannot$ 3ate( con#oms are your best "orm o" protection a&ainst STDs an# STIs +ut a con#om only protects the area it co%ers - what's not co%ere# is not protecte#' Ho! eas is it to catch STDs from a doctor or a dentist"s office? Not much. Some in"ections, inclu#in& HIV an# hepatitis, can be sprea# by contaminate# tools an# equipment This coul# concei%ably happen i" in"ecte# bloo# remains on a tool or a nee#le which is reuse# The reality is that the 4 S has strict re&ulations "or all me#ial pro"essionals re&ar#in& sterili2ation o"

equipment an# a&ainst re-usin& nee#les It is only in e(tremely rare cases that any crosscontamination occurs between patients I" there are any suspect inci#ents, the 4 S Centers "or Disease Control imme#iately takes proacti%e steps to protect anyone who mi&ht ha%e been at risk Visit www personalabs com "or a "ull ran&e o" STD an# se(ual health tests This article is "or in"ormational purposes only, an# is not inten#e# as me#ical a#%ice Content was re%iewe# an# appro%e# by Dr 5#war# Salko, 6ersonalabs 1e#ical Director