STDs are sexually transmitted infections that can be spread by contact with someone’s skin, mouth, penis, vagina or anus that is infected. Half of all new sexually transmitted infections happen in people under age 25. Each year, 1 in 4 teens gets an STD. 1 in 2 sexually active teens will get an STD by the time they are 25. Now is the time to get educated and protect yourself.
Think you know everything? Think again!
“You have to have sexual intercourse (vaginal penetration) to get an STD.”
WRONG. You can get some STDs through skin contact alone (herpes and genital warts). Condoms can protect those areas covered by the condom, but not skin around the vaginal opening and areas near the penis where infected areas may be.
“You can’t get an STD from oral or anal sex.”
WRONG. You can get an STD from oral and anal sex.
“If my partner ‘looks’ clean, he or she must be clean.”
WRONG. Some STDs have no symptoms, and show no signs of infection. Some people with STDs don’t know that they have them.
Did you know?
- The younger you start having sex, the more likely you are to get an STD.
- The more partners you have, the more likely you will get an STD. It doesn’t matter whether you’re having sexual intercourse, oral sex or naked rubbing.
- Having unprotected sex puts you at high risk of getting an STD. Male and female condoms protect against many STDs, but not all. Birth control, spermicides, and diaphragms only prevent pregnancy.
- You can get more than one STD at a time.
- You can get the same STD more than once.
You can get an STD from kissing, oral sex, anal sex and sexual intercourse. You can also get an STD if your vaginal area or penis touches someone else’s vaginal area or penis (naked rubbing). For more information on what STDs you can get from different sexual activity, click here.