What You Need to Know About STIs

A number of symptoms of STD/STIs include painful urination, pain during sex, rashes, aches, loss of weight, fever, discharge from the penis or vagina, bumps, warts (near mouth, anus or vagina), etc. However, it is not always necessary that STDs will manifest its presence through symptoms; cases of no evident symptoms are also common.

The risks of being afflicted by an STD increases if you engage in vaginal, anal or oral sex without using a condom or any other protection. The risks increase exponentially if you engage in intercourse with multiple partners, or with someone who engages in sex with multiple partners. Sharing needles, using improper contraception and trading sex for benefits are other prominent reasons for spreading of STDs.

There can be a high risk of getting afflicted with HIV or some other bloodstream-borne disease, such as Hepatitis B or C, especially if the instruments used in the process such as needles, are not disinfected or sterilized. Also, any instrument used for piercing skin should be used on a 'use-and-throw' basis.

While some sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV or herpes will stick with you throughout your life, some which can be cured, such as gonorrhea or Chlamydia, often have a chance of affecting you again in case of sexual contact indulgence with the affected person.