This interview is a fantastic example of how people from all walks of life and with all educational backgrounds contract sexually transmitted infections. They are an inherent risk to something (intimacy/sex) that also elicits innumerable rewards. Understanding those risks and rewards is part of being sexually healthy, and, ultimately, sexually responsible. No one wants an infection […]
HPV, Trich & Chlamydia – I Wish I Could Go Back – STI Interviews
An HPV diagnosis, despite being one of the most common STDs, considering 80% of all women by the age of 50 will have contracted an HPV infection at some point in their lives, can still be one of the most frightening because of the grey area surrounding testing, length of infection, treatment, and long-term risk. […]
Dear Sexologist – Can You Get an STD from a Toilet or Shower?
This guest post was written by one of our contributors, Dr. Megan Stubbs, an energetic multi-media savvy Sexologist. Reader Submitted Question Dear Sexologist, I’m a college student, and I live in a dorm with a community bathroom facility. I heard that one of the girls down the hall has an STD, and now I’m worried about […]
Should I Tell Past Partners I Have a Sexually Transmitted Infection?
Reader Submitted Question: I am in my 20’s, and I contracted HSV1 when I was a teenager. I had sexual contact with one male and had safe sex with another male, and both did not know I carried the virus then. I have struggled for the last few years with HSV1 but have a supportive family & boyfriend. […]
What is my risk of contracting herpes? Herpes Transmission Risk II
Acquired Immune Response This is where herpes transmission risk gets a little more complicated. There are 9 types of the human herpes virus: HHV1 and HHV2 are the types known as herpes simplex viruses (HSV type 1 and HSV type 2); HHV3 is know as varicella-zoster, the type that causes chickenpox and shingles, or herpes […]
What is my risk of spreading herpes? Herpes Transmission Risk
One of the most common questions we receive is about herpes transmission and the risk of spreading the virus to a new partner. HSV1 & HSV2 is transmitted via skin-to-skin contact – not bodily fluids, blood, surfaces, towels, bedding, toilets, or otherwise, just skin-to-skin contact. From there, inoculation must also occur for the infection to […]
What is the difference between HSV1 & HSV2? Oral and Genital Herpes
In telling a new partner about a genital herpes infection, it’s common to compare cold sores – an oral herpes infection – with a genital one. However, is that really a good comparison? The emotional and social attitudes surrounding the two infections are wildly different, and those perceptions alone can make an objective comparison and […]
An Op-Ed about STD Stigma – Part 2
This essay was submitted anonymously after the author participated in the STI Interviews. This is part 2 of a 3 part series. The fact of the matter is, if you’re having sex, you are putting yourself at risk for an STD, and you should be getting tested for STDs. Most STDs don’t have symptoms, and the person […]