Prevent STD with Protective Measures

Abstaining from Sex is the Best Way to Prevent STD

Sexually transmitted diseases are infections caused by bacteria, parasites, yeasts and viruses that spread between patients through sexual contact (oral, vaginal or anal). HIV, gonorrhea, human papilloma virus (HPV) infection and syphilis are the most common STDs. Being infected with an STD makes it easier for the HIV to get access into the human body due to sores or break in the skin. STDs can cause uncompromising damage to the human body and even result in death at times.  

Symptoms of STD differ from person to person and even more shocking is that, men and women with the same STD have different symptoms. Painful urination, unusual discharge from the vagina or penis and fever are the most common symptoms. While STDs caused by bacteria, yeast or parasites can be treated with antibiotics, there is no cure for the ones caused due to viruses and treatment can only help ward off pain and keep the disease under control. 

To avoid all these painful procedures, it is better to safeguard ourselves against the attack of these infections by taking cardinal preventive measures: 

• The simple and best way to prevent STDs from attacking the body is to not have any form of sex (anal, oral or vaginal). 
  
• Vaccination is an effective way to protect oneself from hepatitis and HPV. Ensure to get your three shots of HPV vaccination before you become sexually active. It is also recommended to get vaccinated for hepatitis B, if you had not got it done during childhood. 
• Maintain minimum number of sex partners and assure yourselves that either of you are not infected with STD before getting sexually involved. 
• Mutual monogamy is the best way to prevent STD. This means that both of you, the male and female, agree to be sexually active with only one person. Being in such a relationship, where the partners don’t suffer from STD, is the safest way to avoid STD infection.  
• Each time you have sex (anal, oral or vaginal) use male latex condoms which is greatly helpful in minimizing transmission of the STD infection.  

STD during pregnancy can affect the fetus. If yourself or your partner has STD, inform your physician and get tests done to treat the infection to reduce the chances of your fetus getting affected. If not, different STDs have different effects on the human body.

Syphilis may cause miscarriage and still birth, HIV infection can be passed to a baby during vaginal birth and gonorrhea and chlamydia may cause health problems in an infant right from eye infections to pneumonia. Read more on HIV and its grave effects on the human body at www.firsteatright.com.