Myths and Facts about Sex and STDs


Articles Dante Alighieri Arthur Dent Jesus Jones Thomas Paine Other Authors Contact Us! Letter to the Editor Dante Alighieri Arthur Dent Jesus Jones Thomas Paine	Myths and Facts about Sex and STDs Arthur Dent Myth: Virgins can't catch sexually-transmitted diseases. Fact: You can catch a STD anytime you engage in intimate physical contact with another person. Herpes and pubic lice ("crabs") are two STDs, for example, which do not require intercourse for infection to take place. Myth: All STDs have symptoms. Fact: Most STDs have NO symptoms, and when they do, symptoms are often confused with non-STDs. However, even when asymptomatic, these STDs can be transmitted, often causing permanent infertility, especially in women. Myth: Most STDs are curable. Fact: Viruses are incurable, so if you contract herpes, HIV, or genital warts, the problem is yours for life. (An estimated 60 million people are currently infected with genital herpes alone.) Furthermore, some STDs have been linked to cancer; others can be passed from mother to baby before, during, or after childbirth. Myth: If I have sex with him, he won't break up with me. Fact: If he's going to break up with you, he's going to break up with you, and all the sex in the world isn't going to keep him around. Conversely, if he's willing to break up with you over your reluctance to have sex, he's an asshole and not worthy of your time. Myth: Teens don't get STDs. Fact: STDs are most prevalent among teens and young adults; nearly 2/3rds of all STDs occur in people under 25 years of age. For more info, check out: http://www.niaid.nih.gov/factsheets/stdinfo.htm	Archive Back Issues Why? Cartoons Poetry Random Rants Disclaimers Losers and Kudos of the Week Letters to the Editor Editor's Notes Picture of the Week
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Arthur Dent

Myth: Virgins can't catch sexually-transmitted diseases.

Fact: You can catch a STD anytime you engage in intimate physical contact with another person. Herpes and pubic lice ("crabs") are two STDs, for example, which do not require intercourse for infection to take place.

Myth: All STDs have symptoms.

Fact: Most STDs have NO symptoms, and when they do, symptoms are often confused with non-STDs. However, even when asymptomatic, these STDs can be transmitted, often causing permanent infertility, especially in women.

Myth: Most STDs are curable.

Fact: Viruses are incurable, so if you contract herpes, HIV, or genital warts, the problem is yours for life. (An estimated 60 million people are currently infected with genital herpes alone.) Furthermore, some STDs have been linked to cancer; others can be passed from mother to baby before, during, or after childbirth.

Myth: If I have sex with him, he won't break up with me.

Fact: If he's going to break up with you, he's going to break up with you, and all the sex in the world isn't going to keep him around. Conversely, if he's willing to break up with you over your reluctance to have sex, he's an asshole and not worthy of your time.

Myth: Teens don't get STDs.

Fact: STDs are most prevalent among teens and young adults; nearly 2/3rds of all STDs occur in people under 25 years of age.

For more info, check out: http://www.niaid.nih.gov/factsheets/stdinfo.htm