| Question |
Answer |
|
Contraceptives - Condoms |
| Are specialty (i.e., flavored or
glow in the dark) condoms less effective? |
Glow-in-the-dark and other "novelty" condoms
are funny gifts, but as is normally indicated on
the box or package in which they are sold, (if
the package says "For Novelty or Entertainment
Purposes Only"), they are not recommended for
vaginal, anal, or oral sex, nor do they provide
protection against STIs. |
| How do you know if you have a latex
allergy? |
Since the symptoms of a latex allergy (skin
rash, itching, swelling) can also resemble the
symptoms of an allergic reaction to either
spermicide or nonoxynol-9 or symptoms of a
sexually transmitted infection, the best thing
to do is to visit a doctor to find out for sure.
For more information, contact EIU Health Service
at 217-581-2727. |
| Is one brand of condom more
effective than another? |
In general, the answer is no. However, keep
in mind that latex condoms provide protection
against STIs, whereas polyurethane and lambskin
condoms only protect against pregnancy. In 1999,
Consumer Reports tested 30 models of condoms,
and found that there were far fewer failures
among the condoms tested than in previous years. |
| Is using a condom the male or
female's responsibility? |
This is an interesting question, but we
would definitely recommend that the use of a
condom or other protective barrier during sexual
activity is the responsibility of BOTH partners.
Regardless of who actually wears the condom
(there are female condoms, too), communication
about sexual activity as well as sexual history
should ideally occur well before the initiation
of any sexual act. There are many variables to
discuss depending upon the relationship, but
both partners should make their needs, desires,
opinions, and decisions known to the other
person before engaging in sexual activity. |
| What brands of condoms are available
at the HERC? |
Brands change over time due to cost and
availability, so for the most updated
information, call the HERC at 581-7786, and to
learn more about Rubber Lover, visit the
Rubber Lover page. |
|
Contraceptives - General Information |
| How do dental dams work? |
Dental dams are square pieces of latex
(offered free to members of the Rubber Lover)
that come in all different colors and flavors
and act as a barrier between the mouth and the
vagina or anus during oral-to-vaginal or
oral-to-anal sex. Dental dams are an important
tool for those practicing safer sex. |
| Is pulling out considered safe? |
"Pulling out", or having the male partner
"pull out" his penis before ejaculation, is not
considered safe sex. First, prior to
ejaculation, there is pre-ejaculate fluid that
does contain both sperm and sexually transmitted
infections (STIs), including HIV, if the male is
infected. Secondly, there are many STIs that do
not require ejaculation to occur in order for
the male to infect his partner. Not only does
"pulling out" offer absolutely no protection
against STIs, but it is not an effective method
of pregnancy prevention, either, if that is a
goal. Again, the pre-ejaculate fluid does
contain sperm. Finally, there is the issue of
self-control. In the heat of the moment, how
certain are you that he will be able to "pull
out" in time? |
| Is there any way to have safer sex
in a hot tub? |
Having sex in a hot tub can make the
possibility of safer sex very difficult for many
reasons, the most of common of which being that
the water may cause the condom to slip off.
Also, to put to rest the myth: no, the heat and
chemicals in a pool or hot tub do not kill sperm
or STIs. So, having unprotected sex in a hot tub
or swimming pool is no safer than having
unprotected sex in your bed; you are still
putting yourself at risk for STIs and an
unplanned pregnancy. |
| What contraceptive works best? |
There are a lot of things to consider when
thinking about which contraceptive is right for
you, including your personal beliefs and
desires, product effectiveness, safety, cost,
and benefits. Talk to your partner and contact
your doctor to discuss which contraceptive is
right for you. (To make an appointment at the
EIU Health Service please call 581-2727)
To learn more about various contraceptives and
their effectiveness, contact the HERC @
581-7786. |
|
Contraceptives - Pregnancy/Birth Control |
| Are birth control pills available at
low cost? How much? |
For information on prescriptions and
pricing, call the EIU Pharmacy at 581-3013.
|
| Can you become pregnant
through oral sex? |
It is physically impossible for
a woman to become pregnant by swallowing
ejaculate during oral sex. Anything that is
swallowed goes through the digestive system, not
one's reproductive organs. Keep in mind, though,
that a woman is at risk for contracting STIs by
giving unprotected oral sex. It is recommended
the use of flavored latex condoms or dental dams
are used correctly and consistently during oral
sex. |
|
General Alcohol Education F.A.Q.s |
| Can a problem drinker simply
cut down? |
It depends. If that person has alcoholism,
the answer is no. Alcoholics who try to cut down
on drinking rarely succeed. Abstaining is
usually the best course for recovery for
alcoholics. People who have experienced problems
as a result of their drinking but are not
dependent on alcohol may be able to reduce or
eliminate problems by limit their drinking. If a
person finds they can’t stay within the limits
they set for themselves, it may be a sign that
they need to stop drinking. (Source: National
Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism)
|
| Do you have to be an alcoholic to
experience problems? |
No. Alcoholism is only one type of
alcohol-related problem. Alcohol abuse can be
just as harmful. A person can abuse alcohol
without being an alcoholic. Someone who abuses
alcohol drinks too much and/or too often and
experiences problems as a result of drinking.
Problems linked to alcohol abuse include not
being able to meet work, school or family
responsibilities, alcohol-related arrests and
injuries, and social or interpersonal
difficulties. (Source: National Institute on
Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.) |
| Does alcohol affect women
differently? |
Women will be more impaired than men after
drinking the same amount of alcohol. This is
true even when differences in body weight are
taken into account. There are several reasons
for this. Women’s bodies have less water than
men’s. Because alcohol mixes with body water, a
given amount of alcohol becomes more highly
concentrated in a woman’s body than in a man’s
body. Women also have less of an enzyme, alcohol
dehydrogenase, which breaks down alcohol in the
stomach. Because of this, when a woman consumes
alcohol, less is broken down in the stomach and
more is absorbed intact into the blood stream.
In addition, chronic alcohol abuse takes a
heavier physical toll on women than on men.
Alcohol dependence and related medical problems,
such as brain, heart, and liver damage, progress
more rapidly in women than in men. (Source:
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and
Alcoholism) |
| Does having a tolerance makes me a
safer drinker? |
Nope. Research tells us that a person with a
tolerance may feel less impaired at a given BAC,
but they are not actually less impaired. For
example, people who report a high tolerance to
alcohol perform no better then individuals with
a low tolerance to alcohol on tests of motor
functioning at given BAC level. In addition,
although a person with a high tolerance does not
feel as many effects at a given BAC, the same
amount of alcohol is reaching their organs and
doing damage to the body. Finally, increasing
tolerance can put people at risk for future
alcohol dependence. |
| How can a person get help for an
alcohol-related problem? |
Any student at EIU can participate in the
Motivational Interviewing program at the HERC to
get a free and confidential assessment and
receive personal feedback on their drinking. For
information, please contact 581-7786.
|
| How can I know what my blood alcohol
concentration (BAC) when drinking? |
Coming Soon! |
| Is alcohol good for your heart? |
Studies have shown that moderate drinkers –
women who have one or less drinks per day men
who have two or fewer drinks per day – are less
likely to die from heart disease than both
people who do not drink any alcohol or people
who drink more. Research, however, has not shown
that young adults gain any health benefits from
drinking alcohol. If you are a non-drinker, you
should not start drinking solely to benefit your
heart, as the risks of consuming alcohol may
outweigh the benefits. You can guard against
heart disease by exercising regularly and eating
foods low in fat. (Source: National Institute on
Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.) |
| Pretty much all college students
drink alcohol – right? |
Yes and no. More Information coming soon!
(Source: National College Health Assessment)
|
| What are some strategies that can be
used to moderate one’s drinking? |
The first step is to decide what you don’t
like or want to avoid when drinking and to set
specific drinking limits based on this. Use the
online tool
E-Chug to help answer the question “What is
a safe drinking limit?” below to help you decide
on your limits. What is your upper limit for the
number of standard drinks you want to consume
per occasion? What is your upper limit for the
number of standard drinks you want to consume
per week? (A standard drink = one 12 ounce beer,
one 5 ounce glass of wine, or a 1.5 ounce shot
of 80-proof liquor.) Next, chose a few
strategies for staying within the limits you
set. Some strategies that have worked for others
include: Switching to drinks that contain less
alcohol. Slowing down your pace of drinking.
Spacing your drinks farther apart. Avoiding
high-proof liquors and shots. Measuring the
amount of liquor you use in mixed drinks.
Alternating drinking nonalcoholic and alcoholic
beverages. Eating before and while you are
drinking. Avoiding drinking games. Identifying
plausible reasons not to drink beyond a certain
point. Being prepared to refuse drinks. Research
alternative activities to do instead of
drinking. Finally, make sure to count the number
of standard drinks you consume. Then observe
your behavior – this is like standing outside
yourself and watching how you are acting when
you are drinking. Most people are surprised by
what they learn when they actually count how
many drinks they have then observe themselves.
They often find that they get what they want out
of drinking with fewer drinks than they thought
they needed. (Source: Brief Alcohol Screening
and Intervention for College Students (BASICS):
A Harm Reduction Approach by Linda A. Dimeff,
John S. Baer, Daniel R. Kivlahan, and G. Alan
Marlatt. Copyright 1999 by The Guilford Press.)
|
| What is a safe level of drinking? |
Women who drink more than 3 drinks per
occasion and men who drink more than 4 drinks
per occasion are at high-risk for experiencing
short-term alcohol-related problems such as
experiencing a hangover, getting nauseous or
vomiting, doing something they later regret,
missing class, getting into an argument or
fight, being hurt or injured, damaging property,
deciding to drive under the influence, get in
trouble with the authorities, and being taken
advantage or sexually. Women who drink more than
7 drinks per week and men who drink more than 14
drinks per week are at high-risk of developing
long-term alcohol-related problems, including
dependence. Up to two drinks per day for men and
one drink per day for women and older people –
causes few, if any, problems for most adults.
(One drink equals 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of
wine, or 1.5. ounces of 80-proof hard liquor.)
Certain people should not drink at all, however.
They include women who are pregnant or trying to
become pregnant, people who plan to drive or
engage in other activities that require
alertness and skill, people taking
over-the-counter or prescriptions medicines,
people with medical conditions made worse by
drinking, recovering alcoholics, and people
younger than 21. (Source: National Institute on
Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.) |
| Why should I wait until I’m 21 to
drink? |
The risks associated with consuming alcohol
are higher for people under 21. the earlier in
life a person starts drinking, the more likely
it is that they will experience short- or
long-term alcohol-related problems. People who
start drinking in their teens are more likely to
become dependent on alcohol than people who
begin drinking later in life. Heavy drinking
does more damage to the brains of people in
their teens and very early twenties than it does
to the brains of older individuals. People under
21 who drink are more likely to be involved in a
fatal car accident than people over 21 who
drink. And, of course, people under 21 can face
legal changes for possessing or consuming
alcohol. |
|
General Financial Education F.A.Q.s |
| How can I protect myself from
identity theft? |
Keep a close eye on all your account
statements and notify your bank or credit card
company immediately if you notice any
discrepancies.
Shred all financial documents that are no
longer needed, and store documents you would
like to keep in a secure location.
Order a free credit report each year and
check for any fraudulent charges or inaccuracies
on the report. If you have trouble reading or
interpreting your credit report, contact the
HERC @ 581-7786.
|
| How can I stop the "pre-approved"
credit applications from arriving in the mail
every day? |
A 1996 amendment to the Fair Credit
Reporting Act required that the credit bureaus
provide an opt-out opportunity for consumers who
do not want their names and addresses sold to
credit grantors for solicitations. Consumers can
take advantage of the right opt-out by calling
1-888-567-8688. By opting out you will no longer
receive pre-approved credit offers. Source: The
Credit Road Map by Patrick Ritchie |
| How do I begin the search for
grants, scholarships, and loans to pay for
college? |
The first step is to fill out the FAFSA at
the beginning of each calendar year.
Additionally, Rank 2, 3, and 4 students will
often have a separate scholarship form to
complete within their college in order to be
considered for program-specific funds. Outside
sources, such as fastweb.com, are also helpful.
For more specific information, visit the
EIU
Student Financial Aid web site. |
| How do I create a budget/spending
plan? |
There are six main steps to creating a
budget/spending plan: 1) Set goals: both
short-term and long-term;
2) Keep a weekly spending diary to identify
where, on what, and how much you are spending;
3) Review the money you have spend, and
identify your needs and your wants, being
careful to keep these two separate;
4) Identify all sources of income (including
money coming in from your parents);
5) Create a monthly spending plan based on
what you discovered in #1 - #4, making sure to
meet your “needs” first, before designating
funds for your “wants”;
6) At the end of the month, compare your
spending plan to what you have actually spent
and make adjustments accordingly. For more
information, or free assistance with creating a
budget/spending plan, call 581-7786. |
| How is my credit score determined? |
Your credit score is determined based on:
your payment history (i.e. timely payments,
including utilities payments that are in your
name); the amount of debt you have outstanding
with all creditors; how long you’ve been a
credit user; very recent history (i.e. signing
up for credit cards on campus, etc.); a mix of
credit you hold (i.e. loans, mortgages, credit
cards, etc.). |
| How many credit cards should I have? |
One is enough. Choose a card with a good
APR, as well as a low credit limit. Your local
bank may offer the perfect card for you to use
to begin building a credit history. For more
information about selecting a credit card, call
581-7786 to schedule a free appointment with the
Financial Education Coordinator @ the HERC.
|
| Should I work while enrolled in
classes? |
This is usually a decision that needs to be
made with your parents, however, studies have
shown that there is a correlation between
working part-time and strong academic
performance. Time management, responsibility and
leadership skills learned on the job can go a
long way in the classroom! |
| What is a credit score? |
Your credit score is a numerical
representation of your credit behavior, ranging
from 501 – 990 (Vantage Score) and 300 – 850
(FICO). Your score is reviewed by creditors when
you are applying for loans, car leases,
mortgages, etc., and is essentially used to
assess your financial strength. |
| What is loan consolidation? |
Consolidation allows you to convert multiple
loans into a single loan with a fixed interest
rate. In other words, borrowers can extend the
repayment period allowing a reduction in monthly
payment amounts, freeing up more money for other
expenses. |
| What should I do if my credit card
is lost or stolen? |
If your credit card is lost or stolen,
report it to the appropriate credit card company
immediately. If you report in a timely manner,
you will typically only be held liable for up to
$50 in fraudulent charges made on your card. |
| Where should I store my financial
information? |
First, record your card numbers, expiration
dates, and credit card company and bank phone
numbers. (The easiest approach may be to
photocopy the actual card.) Be sure lock-up this
information in a safe place where only you can
access it. Think about purchasing a small safe,
or renting a lockbox at your local bank. |
| Why does my credit score matter? |
A high credit score may translate to a
better rate on a loan in the future.
Unfortunately, the reverse is also true. A poor
credit score can result in being turned down for
future credit, or paying higher interest rates.
Paying bills on time and managing your debt
today may have a huge impact on your future
financial situation. |
| Will closing a credit card account
erase any late payments I made? |
Closing an account does NOT change the
history of the account. In fact, it is always
better to leave an account open, especially in
the case of revolving (i.e. credit card) debt. A
single late payment may be removed by the
creditor if you ask or are able to demonstrate
that you made a good faith effort to get the
payment sent in, but extenuating circumstances
prevented it from taking place. BUT...you will
have NO negotiating power if you have already
closed the account and are no longer a customer
of the institution. (Source: The Credit Road Map
by Patrick Ritchie) |
|
Nutrition F.A.Q.s |
| How can I incorporate more physical
activity into my life here at EIU? |
Walk or bike to get around. Walk instead of
taking the bus, or get off the bus a stop early
and walk the rest of the way. Take the stairs
instead of the elevator. Take fitness breaks
when studying. Exercise while watching TV. Take
a walk with friends. Go dancing. Do anything
that gets you moving! |
| How can I keep the calories that I
consume in check? |
One way is portion management. Be mindful
about the amount of food you eat on each
occasion at breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks.
You may still enjoy your favorite foods, just in
moderation. To learn more about portion sizes
and how choose the amounts that are right for
you, make a
Nutritional Assessment appointment with the
HERC. Also, visit www.mypyramid.gov.
Limiting your intake of foods that are high in
fat and/or added sugars can also help you to
keep your calories in check. |
| How fast should I lose weight? |
Health experts recommend losing weight at a
rate of no more than 1-2 pounds per week. Losing
weight too quickly seldom leads to lasting
results. It may also cause a loss of water
weight and lean tissue and may increase your
risk for health problems such as gallstones.
Losing 1-2 pounds of fat per week translates
into a “calorie deficit” of 500 to 1000 calories
per day, which can be achieved through a
combination of eating less and being more
physically active. Losing even a 1/4-1/2 pound
per week is a worthy goal. This translates into
a “calorie deficit” of 125-250 calories per day.
At that rate, you could weigh about 12 to 25
pounds less in a year! |
| Should I skip breakfast to cut
calories? |
Although skipping breakfast is a popular
calorie-cutting strategy among some dieters, it
usually backfires. Forgoing your morning meal
may cause you to overeat later in the day. It
will also keep your metabolism at its low
resting level until you do eat. Also, research
shows that people who succeed at losing weight,
and keeping it off, almost always eat breakfast. |
| What is the best way to maintain a
healthy weight? |
Research suggests that regular physical
activity is key to managing one’s weight over
the long term. Aerobic exercise (e.g. walking,
running, biking, swimming) burns calories and
increases resting metabolism. Resistance
training (E.g. lifting weights) helps to build
active muscle tissue which burns more calories
than fat tissue. Being mindful of the calories
you consume from food is also important.
Research suggests that subtracting 100 calories
a day could go a long way toward helping you
manage your weight, whether it is done by
cutting out 100 calories from food, or burning
100 calories by doing more physical activity.
|
| Sex
& Sexuality |
| What is abstinence? |
Abstinence:
- the only 100% safe choice
- means waiting for the right person,
time, and place to have sex.
- can last for an evening or for years, or
any time in between.
- can include talking, touching, dry
kissing, massage, and masturbation.
|
| What is safer sex? |
Safer sex means:
- consent from both parties.
- neither partner is under the influence
of alcohol or other drugs.
- the use of latex barriers every time you
engage in sexual activity, including 1) the
use of a latex condom for vaginal and anal
sex, 2) the use of a flavored latex condom
for oral sex, 3) the use of a latex doily
(or dental dam) during oral-to-vaginal or
oral-to-anal contact.
- the use of only water-based lubricants
like "KY Jelly" or "WET" with latex condoms
and doilies.
|
| What is sexual responsibility? |
Sexual responsibility is being aware of:
your own choices, other people's choices, and
your partner's state of mind when making sexual
decisions. |
| STIs
- General Information |
| Are there any STIs that are linked
to HIV? |
If a person is diagnosed with any sexually
transmitted infection (STI), he or she is at an
increased risk of acquiring HIV because the
risky (i.e. unsafe) sexual behavior that caused
the person to acquire an STI also makes that
person more susceptible to contracting HIV, if
he or she has been exposed to the virus. In
addition, STIs such as genital herpes, genital
warts, and syphilis can all result in open sores
on the genital area, which greatly increases a
person's risk of acquiring HIV since an open
sore provides a direct path for HIV to enter the
bloodstream. |
| Considering the fact that there are
certain STIs that have no cures, how would an
infected individual be able to have a normal
life? |
There are many people who are infected with
a sexually transmitted infection (STI) out there
who have happy sex lives. First of all, open
communication with every sexual partner is
highly recommended. In addition, there are
various groups you can contact to learn more
about the disease and/or speak with others who
are in similar situations. Try the CDC National
STD Hotline at (800) 227-8922. You can also
contact the American Social Health Association's
Resource Center at (800) 230-6039 to subscribe
to certain newsletters and receive more
information. (Source:
http://www.goaskalice.columbia.edu)
|
| How many different STIs exist? |
According to the CDC National STD Hotline,
it is estimated that there are close to 30 or
more STIs in existence, but some of those are
very rare, or are not common in the United
States. |
| How many STIs are deadly? Which ones
can't you get rid of? |
Any viral sexually transmitted infection
(STI) is one that you "can't get rid of",
including: HPV (Human Papilloma virus), Genital
Herpes (Herpes Simplex Virus 2), and HIV (Human
Immunodeficiency Virus). Other STIs, which are
caused by bacteria or parasites and can be
easily cured with antibiotics, can be deadly or
do permanent damage to the body if left
untreated, including chlamydia, gonorrhea,
trichomoniasis and syphilis. Although these STIs
are treatable, most of the time, you won't know
you're infected unless you get tested. The
consequences of having an untreated STI, such as
infertility, can be permanent. Finally, a
diagnosis of an STI increases a person's risk of
acquiring HIV, the most deadly STI of all |
| Of all STIs, how many are condoms
effective against? |
First, keep in mind that condoms are not
100% effective in preventing the transmission of
any sexually transmitted infection (STI). The
only 100% safe choice is abstinence. That said,
when used consistently and correctly, condoms
are highly effective in preventing the sexual
transmission of HIV. In addition, when used
consistently and correctly, condoms can reduce
the risk of transmission of Chlamydia,
gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis. Correct and
consistent use of latex condoms can reduce the
risk of genital herpes and syphilis only when
the infected area or site of potential exposure
is protected/covered by the condom. The effect
of condoms in preventing HPV infection is
unknown. STIs like genital herpes, HPV, and
syphilis can manifest themselves on areas not
protected/covered by a condom, so open
communication with your partner about risk and
sexual history is critical. Since many STIs show
no symptoms in those infected, getting tested is
extremely important. |
| Once you receive a viral STI, does
it always linger in your body or can you get rid
of it once and for all? |
Viral sexually transmitted infections
(STIs), such as herpes (herpes simplex viruses),
HPV* (human papilloma virus), and HIV (human
immunodeficiency virus), are the "ones you can't
get rid of". While there are antiviral
medications and other treatment options
available to lessen the severity of the symptoms
associated with the disease, there is no cure
for these viral STIs, and they stay in your
body. Even if the symptoms go away or never
surface, you still have the virus and can pass
it on to someone else.
*Presently, there is plenty of debate and
research being done on HPV. Although researchers
simply aren't sure, it has been reported that
some strains of HPV may disappear on their own.
However, researchers aren't sure if it
completely goes away or comes back. For the most
recent updates on HPV, check out the CDC
Division of Sexually Transmitted Diseases at
http://www.cdc.gov/nchstp/dstd/dstdp.html,
and the American Social Health Association at
http://www.ashastd.org/. |
| What are the most common STIs? |
In the United States, the most common
sexually transmitted infections (STIs) (in order
of highest number of estimated new cases each
year) are genital HPV infection, trichomoniasis,
Chlamydia, genital herpes, gonorrhea, hepatitis
B, syphilis, and HIV/AIDS. |
| What STIs can be cured? |
Bacterial and parasitic sexually transmitted
infections (STIs) can be treated with
antibiotics. These STIs include Chlamydia,
gonorrhea, syphilis, and trichomoniasis.
However, if left untreated, these STIs can cause
serious and permanent adverse health effects,
including infertility. |
| STIs
- Symptoms |
| What are some warning signs to
recognize a STI? |
Please keep in mind
that almost all STIs frequently show NO symptoms
at all in the majority of individuals infected
with them, so it is important not to rely on the
physical manifestation of visible symptoms to
determine whether or not you may have contracted
a STI. Instead, talk to a health professional
and assess your degree of risk to determine
whether you should get tested. |
| What are the STIs with no visible
signs? |
It is possible to be
infected with almost any STI and have no visible
symptoms. Some STIs don't show symptoms until
serious, irreversible, permanent damage has
already been done, and others have symptoms that
are so mild that they are mistaken for other
things (like a rash or bladder infection) or not
noticed at all. If you are sexually active, you
should not wait for symptoms to show before
going to get tested. |
| STIs
- Testing |
| Where can I get tested? |
Coming Soon! |
| If you are sexually active, how
often should you get tested for STIs? |
Obviously, if you are showing symptoms of a
sexually transmitted infection (STI), you should
see a doctor immediately. However, since many
STIs have no symptoms, if you are sexually
active, it is a good idea to include your sexual
health in your annual physical health check-ups.
If you see a doctor once a year for a physical
or annual pap smear, remind yourself to also go
get a STI and HIV test too (either from your
doctor or at a separate site). Women: do not
assume that your gynecologist is testing you for
STIs during your annual pap smear. While an
abnormal pap may indicate the presence of HPV,
and STI, you are not specifically getting tested
for STIs unless you ask! |
| STIs
- Types & Transmission |
| Can you get an STI (i.e., Herpes) by
sitting on the same toilet seat as an infected
person? |
No. First of all, STIs, including HIV and
genital herpes, cannot be transmitted through
everyday, casual contact, which includes public
restrooms, public telephones, door knobs, hot
tubs, etc. Secondly, most STI viruses or
bacteria simply do not live long enough outside
the body to infect another person. And finally,
there must be close, intimate contact (skin to
skin) or exchange of fluid for transmission of
STIs to occur. |
| Can you get herpes from kissing
someone? |
Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) causes
infections of the mouth and lips, often called
“cold sores” or “fever blisters”. Yes, a person
can get HSV-1 by coming in contact with the
saliva of an infected person. Typically, the
virus that causes infection of the genitals is
HSV-2 (herpes simplex virus 2), and a person
almost always gets genital herpes during sexual
contact with someone who has a genital HSV-2
infection. However, it is definitely possible
for a person to have HSV-1 infection of the
genitals by having oral-genital sexual contact
with a person who has the HSV-1 infection of the
mouth. |
| What types of STIs can you get from
oral sex? |
First, you can get any sexually transmitted
infection (STI) from GIVING unprotected oral
sex, though the risks vary depending on the STI.
For example, there is a lower risk of
contracting HIV, HPV, or Chlamydia through
unprotected oral sex than through unprotected
vaginal or anal sex, although a risk still does
exist. However, other STIs can be transmitted
much more easily through oral sex, including
yeast infections, herpes, gonorrhea, and
syphilis. If you are RECEIVING oral sex,
transmission of a STI is less likely, unless
your partner has herpes (cold sores or fever
blisters) on his or her mouth. |
