STD infected Cases

[anxious_one]

I have been reading many posts and noticed that infection of all STDs (maybe except cold soar, or HSV-1) is far more scarse that I originally thought. Then, I tied to find a case when someone who came to this site for telling his/her concern and turned out to be infected. I cannot find it at all...

1. as long as I avoid mouth-to-mouth, mouth-to-vagina, mouth-to-anus, penis-to-vagina, or needle sharing, the risk is near zero.

2. protected sex or oral sex may be higher risk but still in near zero range.

3. unprotected sex is risky. but as I'm reading posts, infection from unprotected oral sex is still very uncommon. Now, having unprotected sex is obviously the riskiest. But as far as I'm reading posts, Dr's are still saying "it's unlikely (to get infected)" even when one side is known to have HSV-2.

How does so many people get infected to variety of STDs every year? Ways to do intercourse changes the odds? Amount of secretion, how active the symptom is during the sex, urination, etc change the odds?

I'm confused.

[anxious_one]

Thank you very much. I'll keep that in mind,

[auntiejessi]

HSV2 is almost always genital, and hsv1 is most commonly oral, but someone who has oral hsv1 can give that to someone genitally by giving oral sex.  Genital hsv1 now accounts for 30-50% of all new genital herpes infections.

Keep in mind that there is no test for HPV in men, and that the test for women is only done with her pap as a cancer prevention screening tool.  Often, these infections are asymptomatic, so even if your partners tests negative for everything, you can't 100% sure.

I'm not saying these things to scare you, but to just give you somewhat of a reality check.  I understand wanting to avoid stds, but there's no reason to get anxious about it.

Also, just my own personal editorial note - saying someone is "clean" simply means they've showered.  "STD-free" is a better term, as the opposite of clean is dirty, and having an std doesn't make someone dirty.

Aj

[anxious_one]

Thank you, Aj.

I have not (and won't) make a direct contact (mouth-to-vagina, mouth-to-penis or penis-to-vagina) unless both are tested clean. This is my absolute rule as this prevents ALL STDs. Very simple.

Now I know that this brings the risk pretty much zero (i didn't know STD related virus, fungus, or bacteria dies once they leave their living cell or flesh. In other words, "indirect contact" is ok such as licking my finger and touching partner's vagina (or touching my penis) and repeating this process without washing my hand).

I'll probably not even go for protected sex if I don't know my partner is tested clean. As some STDs can be infected thru protected sex or oral sex.

I thought HSV-1 is only for oral-herpes and HSV-2 is only for genital-herpes... am I wrong? If kissing doesn't easily transimit HSV-1, how come so many people have it?

So far, I should have nothing to worry about. But I will have a test as I have never done it before.

[Dallasfan]

Yes it might be a good idea to label this forum STDs and Extreme Anxiety. : ).

[auntiejessi]

Oh and we do have posts from people who have infections - plenty of them.  But admittedly, it seems that we have way more posts from the "worried well" - those who have little to no risk, and yet are afraid and very anxious about stds.

Aj

[auntiejessi]

I just want to add something.  Yes, STDs are a big problem in the gay and African American communities, but actually the stats for the hetero community aren't all that far behind.

These stats are for the US, but other developed countries (UK, Canada, etc) have similar rates:

80% of people will get HPV in their lifetimes, and it doesn't matter the gender of your partners.  1 in 4 have genital herpes type 2, and again - it doesn't matter who you sleep with.  30-50% of all new genital herpes infections are type 1, from oral sex.

There are 2 million new infections of chlamydia each year.

You can wrap yourself in a latex bubble and avoid stds, but that's not really feasible, is it?  Asking your partners to test is the best way, and using condoms goes a LONG way to preventing infection, but HPV, herpes and syphilis can all be spread while using condoms.

If you have a fear of germs in general, and this issue brings great anxiety, perhaps you should talk to someone about it.  

Aj

[anxious_one]

yeah, I understand. Thank you very much

[Vance2335]

Over 1/2 the population has HSV-1...it's not something to worry about. And if the person does not have an active sore then chances are you would not get it. No you would not get HSV-1 from touching someones cold sore.

STD's do not pick when to infect someone and when not to. But it's one of those things where chances are low that you would get something if a condom broke. And even if you did get something most of the STD's are easily treated.

Best way to know you have having sex with someone who is clean is to have both parties test before sex starts in a relationship.

[anxious_one]

The reason I said mouth-to-mouth (kissing) is because of HSV-1. But as long as it is not active as visible cold soar, it still won't get infected, right? 80% of HSV-1 infected people is rather high percentage to me even though many do not regard it as a STD.

By the way, is HSV-1 infection only from mouth-to-mouth direct contact? not from skin-to-mouth or indirect mouth-to-mouth contact?

regarding unprotected sex, it doesn't sound to me that I would get STD 100% from one time unprotected intercourse. In one post, Dr was saying, "quite a bit of frictions between penis and vagina is necessary" (that is having intercourse). So, a short period of intercourse may not cause infection (tho still probable). For example, even if a condom gets bursted during intercourse, the chance is probably very low still.

[Vance2335]

1. Mouth-to-mouth is a kiss...why would you aviod kissing someone? Also you are talking about not having sex at all. Of course you would have zero risk.

2. if you use a condom correctly the STD risk is going to be almost zero

3.unprotected sex is risky compared to protected sex, but most people don't have an STD. Yes a lot do but not the majority. And unprotected oral is not a good way to get or give STD's...but yes is possible.

People get infected because it only takes one time to get an STD. And those people pass it on to others via unprotected sex. It's one of those things because either people don't care or think that it can't happen to them that STD's get passed around.

If you look at the stats STD's are a bigger problem in the gay community still and has become a bigger problem in the black and latino community. Not saying the white community is not hit by STD's but just looking at the data.
Also being a major problem in the gay community if someone is bi or wants to try something new then he might get it from a gay male and then pass it on to women.