How to Prevent STDs and STIs Through Safer Sex Practices



Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a major public health concern. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that there are more than 20 million new cases of STDs each year in the United States alone. To prevent the spread of STDs and STIs, it is important to practice safer sex. Here are some tips to help you stay safe:

1. Use condoms: Condoms should be used every time you have sexual contact with someone else, even if you’re in a committed relationship or married. They offer protection against many types of STDs and can reduce your risk of infection significantly. Make sure to use latex condoms for the best protection, as other types may not provide adequate protection against some STDs or infections.

2. Get tested regularly: Regular testing is essential for preventing the spread of STDs and infections, especially if you’re sexually active with multiple partners or have unprotected sex with someone who has an unknown sexual history. Talk to your doctor about which tests are right for you, but most experts recommend at least an annual screening for common infections like chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV/AIDS, syphilis and hepatitis B/C.

3. Limit your number of partners: Limiting the number of sexual partners you have can help reduce your risk of contracting an STD or infection significantly since having multiple partners increases your chances of exposure to different strains or types of infection that could be present in any one partner’s body fluids during unprotected sex activities such as oral sex or intercourse without a condom barrier device being used properly every time .

4. Avoid sharing personal items: Sharing items such as needles, razors and toothbrushes can increase your risk for contracting an STD due to contact with infected bodily fluids from another person’s skin cells on the item itself . So it's important to keep these items separate from those belonging to other people .

5. Get vaccinated: Vaccines are available that protect against certain viruses such as HPV , hepatitis A & B , and herpes simplex virus type 2 . Getting vaccinated can help reduce your risk for contracting these viruses through sexual contact . Talk to your doctor about which vaccines might be right for you based on age , lifestyle , medical history , etc .

Following these tips can go a long way in helping protect yourself from contracting any sort of STD or infection through unsafe sex practices . However , it's also important to remember that no form of contraception is 100% effective at preventing all forms of sexually transmitted diseases - so always exercise caution when engaging in any type sexual activity with another person !

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Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs), Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Safer Sex, Condoms, Latex Condoms, Testing, Multiple Partners, Sharing Personal Items, Vaccines, HPV, Hepatitis A & B, Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2,

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