Sex is a normal part of dating, but one thing you need to consider quite seriously is having safe sex and Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) testing. According to the Center for Disease Control in the United States, there are rising numbers of STIs such as Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, HPV, and herpes which is why it’s so important to be safe. There are hundreds of millions of people who are sexually active and don’t get tested for STIs which could be problematic because at least half of the people who have an STI don’t know they carry the disease.

Before an individual gets tested, it is normal to be apprehensive. They may be asking “What should I do if I have an STI?”, “How will I ever be able to have sex again if I am positive for an STI?”. Many people don’t realize a simple STI test could prevent the spread of infection to a partner. According to The Center for Disease Control, “half of all sexually active young people in the United States will get an STI by the time they’re 25—and most won’t know it”. Undoubtedly, getting tested is pretty important for our sexual health. Having STI knowledge will greatly reduce the chance of catching an STI or passing it to a partner.

Why Safe Sex is Important and Need to Know Info About STI Testing

Having Safe Sex

Most people catch STIs due to having unprotected sex, or unsafe sex. A condom is a protective barrier that reduces the chance of coming in direct skin-to-skin contact with a virus or bacteria. If a condom is used you will be much less likely to catch an STI. A latex lubricated condom is the best type of condom to use. Lubricated condoms are less likely to break, and it reduces friction from sexual intercourse. HIV could travel through a sheepskin condom. Using a condom that fits snug is also important. If you use a condom that’s too big, it could slip off and defeat the point of using a condom. It is risky to have sex before you know your STI status.

Getting Tested

No one ever catches an STI from taking an STI test. Nearly 13% of people with HIV don’t know they have the virus. At least 50% of individual who carry the herpes antibodies don’t know they have the virus. Individuals who are sexually active are suggested to get an STI test every six months. You could even get tested for STI with a partner. Knowing your STI status could help you know where you stand with a partner, in terms of a relationship. Certain STIs like HIV may not appear on a blood test until three months after the last time an individual has sexual intercourse.

All major cities have at least a couple of dozen places where you can STI testing, including your family doctor. There are also many of major not for profit organizations and private medical clinics that receive government funding to promote affordable STI testing. In just about all cases an individual won’t be turned away for an STI test based on his or her ability to pay.

If you tested negative for all STIs that doesn’t always mean you are safe. STIs such as herpes could hide in the central nervous system. The virus might not be detected during a routine STI test. HPV is a virus that can cause genital warts. The virus also may not be detected if genital warts aren’t present. The human body often weakens STI. It could take up to three months for an STI to show on a blood test. It’s necessary to continue to have safe sex.

If you tested positive for an STI don’t worry, you can still have a healthy, and happy sex life. But please be honest to your partner about your STI status. With modern medication, and following the safe sex tips I mentioned the chance of passing an STI to a partner could be very low. There are antibiotics that completely fight bacterial STIs off. That is why some people with an STI didn’t spread the virus to his or her partner.

Learn More

When an individual is diagnosed with an STI it’s important to know the facts, and to get information from a creditable resource. When you obtain information about an STI make sure you get your information from a medical professional, government resources and well known organizations.

This article is brought to you by the largest STI dating site PositiveSingles.com.