- STDs are sexually transmitted diseases, that is diseases and viruses that you can contract through sexual contact. Many STDs are with you for life; once you get them you never get rid of them. Some STDs can cause serious future health problems like infertility or cancer. Some STDs, like HIV/AIDS are presently incurable and fatal.
What is AIDS/HIV?
- AIDS/HIV is one of the most devastating communicable viruses of the 21st century. It is a deadly virus that can be transmitted when contact is made with an HIV or AIDS infected person’s bodily fluids. The virus itself is called HIV and AIDS is what the virus is known to become. They are one and the same in the sense that you must first have HIV before you can develop AIDS. However, just because a person has HIV (this is known as being HIV positive) does not mean they will develop AIDS. There are people who have been HIV positive for over a decade with no signs of developing AIDS. HIV is a tricky, unpredictable virus that affects your overall quality of life even if it never becomes full blown AIDS. It is important to note that HIV does eventually become AIDS in the majority of infected people but there are exceptions and right now medical science can’t explain the random way that HIV seems to affect people. There is no way to know how HIV will play out for any one person, it is unpredictable but always life altering and if you develop AIDS it is fatal. It is currently believed that close contact is needed to contract HIV and that it is not transmitted through casual interactions like shaking hands or hugging. HIV cannot survive outside of a host body for very long and therefore direct contact with an infected person’s fluids and the bloodstream of an uninfected person is needed in order for the virus to be transmitted. The most common ways that HIV is transmitted is through sexual activity, sharing of drug paraphernalia, and blood-to-blood contact via open wounds. Condoms can decrease your risks but they do not offer fool proof 100% protection. The only guarantee against contracting HIV is to totally avoid high-risk activities.
If I’m on the pill am I protected against STDs/HIV/AIDS?
- No. The pill only protects against pregnancy. It does not protect you from HIV/AIDS or any other STD.
Where do I get the AIDS vaccine?
- You can’t be vaccinated against HIV/AIDS. There is no such thing.
Does the morning after pill also protect me from STDs/HIV/AIDS?
- No. Emergency contraception, also called “the morning after pill”, only protects against unwanted pregnancy. It does not protect you from HIV/AIDS or any other STD.
Is it true that you cannot get an STD if you have sex during your period?
- This is not true. You can get an STD any time you have unprotected sex. Sex during your period may even make transmission of STDs easier as blood is involved.
I’ve heard that date rape drugs, like GHB, offer protection against pregnancy, is this true?
- Absolutely not. Date rape drugs do not protect you from anything. When you have ingested a date rape drug you are not only at risk of being sexually assaulted but you are in no way protected from pregnancy, STDs, or HIV/AIDS.