Sexually transmitted diseases are often not spoken about because of the fact of sex being a taboo subject in most societies, no matter how far progressed they seem to be.
There are a lot of rumors going around about sexually transmitted diseases. Some of them just aren’t true. Despite the fact of so many suffering from them, the lack of knowledge about the disease is astonishing. The first think one can do to reduce the chances of catching the disease are to get the facts of the disease right.
Here are some common myths about STD’s that are in circulation among us mistakenly as facts:
- Myth 1: You can only get STD from semen
STD’s can transfer from person to person by even coming into contact with the skin of an infected person.
For example a person suffering from Herpes might have open sores. These sores if come in contact with your skin or other moist areas of your body like the mouth or throat can spread.
So do not be under the wrong impression that only semen spreads STD’s.
- Myth 2: If you don’t have a condom use plastic wraps
Condoms are specially made for the purpose of sex and prevention of any disease related to sex. Regular plastic wrap will have many holes that will not protect you from any diseases.
So if you have had sexual contact with a person suffering from an STD using regular plastic wrap, it’s time to get tested for the same.
- Myth 3: The Pill prevents STD’s
This is the most common myth about STD’s. The only function of contraceptive pills is to prevent ovulation and cause pregnancy. The pill will not prevent the transfer of fluids or other pathogens that cause STD’s.
- Myth 4: You cannot get an STD through oral sex
STD’s get transmitted through oral sex as well, especially among people who suffer from bleeding gums or those who have open cuts and sores. Using condoms might help, but there is no guaranty on preventing its transfer to the other person.
- Myth 5: Having sex in a hot tub or pool will prevent transfer of STD’s
Neither hot water in a tub nor the chlorine in a pool will kill the bacteria or viruses that cause STD’s. As a matter of fact, even condoms break easily in water, so don’t think you are safer under water than above it.
- Myth 6: A person cannot get STD by having sex only once with the infected person
It doesn’t take longer than a second for the disease to pass from one person to the other. A single shot at sex is enough to spread the infection.
- Myth 7: You will know when you have it or others have it
There is no physical indication of the presence of an STD in your body. The signs can take months or even years to appear and make its presence felt.
- Myth 8: Only certain types of people get STD’s
Anyone who is sexually active bears the risk of acquiring an STD. STD does not discriminate on gender, race, sex or any other segregation of people.
So it is wrong to believe people who claim that dark skinned people or homosexuals are the only ones who have to fear the contraction of STD’s.
- Myth 9: More condoms is better than one
When you wear more than one condom then they tend to brush against one and another and rip or tear reducing the protection provided by the condom.
- Myth 10: A person cannot get more than one STD at a time
A person can suffer from more than one type of STD. This usually happens in cases when the STD causes open infected sores, which gives room for the catching of others.
- Myth 11: Once you get an STD, you’ll never get it again
STD’s are not like diseases like chicken pox that do not appear in our body again. Our body does not become immune once we get it, the pathogens that cause STD’s can reappear and create havoc.
- Myth 12: Once the symptoms disappear the disease disappears
When the symptoms of the disease disappear from your body, doesn’t mean they don’t exist. They might just be latent. Simply take a test and see whether you really have it or not.
- Myth 13: STD’s get transferred only through the genital areas
STD’s transfer or it spreading from person to person doesn’t necessarily have to be from the genital area. Any nicks, cuts, sores or other body opening will encourage its transfer from person to person.
Written by: Rasha Ashraf