You automatically open yourself up to a whole host of health risks, when you decide to engage in an intimate act with another person. The mere skin-to-skin contact expresses an underlying danger of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The conversation of STIs is complicated and to know the truth from the start is to keep yourself protected and safe. STI is quite common and most of us don’t learn much about them in school.
It is important to know STI myths. The common myths about sexually transmitted infections are covered in this article and get to the bottom of them.
Myths about Sexually transmitted infections
Myth 1: You cannot get an STI if you do not have sex
Truth: A sexual contact can contribute to infection with sexually transmitted infections.
This myth is quite clear, that opting for an intimate act that does to go all the way does not mean a person cannot catch an STI. The reason behind this is that the various kinds of viruses and bacteria that cause STIs enter the body through small cuts and tears. Sexually transmitted infection like herpes is caused by skin-to-skin contact with an infected area.
Myth 2: You will be aware if you (or your partner) have an STI
Truth: There is no visible sign of STIs.
There is no visible sign but is invisible. A person can feel healthy and still have sexually transmitted infections and pass them on to others. Even after a thorough examination by a doctor or by asking a few questions, you cannot know if one is affected. It is essential to keep yourself and your partners’ safe by getting tested before having any sexual activity and have safe sex.
Myth 3: From a toilet seat, you can get an STI
Truth: The seat of a toilet is not a culprit.
The virus begins to die after it leaves your body and hence cannot survive on a toilet seat. Thus, no one else can pick it up. In some cases, the virus HIV needs an open wound to get into. Hence, it can infect the bloodstream of a person. Hence, a person merely sitting on a toilet seat will never be able to catch STI.
Myth 4: Chlorine kills STI
Truth: There is no match or STIs.
There is a common belief that you are safe in a pool or hot tub due to the presence of chlorine (in the case of a hot water tub) as it will kill the virus or bacteria in the SDI. This is not true. It is essential to note here that latex condoms can break down in hot tubs.
Myth 5: You can be infected with Herpes from someone if they have an outbreak.
Truth: Even if herpes is sleeping in your partner, you still can be infected with it.
For weeks, herpes remains sleeping without any outbreak your partner can still pass it on to you. Your partner will not even know that they are infected. Since it cannot be seen does not mean that it is not present and transmittable
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There is hope, though it seems like a lot of doom and gloom. It is always a good idea to have safe sex and get yourself tested.
