Get an STD Test! Be protected always

More than a million people are developing sexually transmitted diseases / infections every day across the world, according to the World Health Organisation. Amongst many more common infections are gonorrhoea, chlamydia, and syphilis. If left untreated, these infections can cause severe damage internally, and hence, the need to be aware arises. We list down a few things you should know about STDs /STIs :

Be Protected, ALWAYS!

It's better to be safe than sorry, and when it comes to sex, having protected sex is always the key to stay away from contracting sexually transmitted diseases.

Infections can be spread by oral, vaginal or anal sex, via physical contact with the infected person. Therefore, being covered will reduce your chances of contracting them by 97 per cent (Condom effectiveness).

Get Yourself And Your Partner Tested

It's always a good idea to have yourself checked regularly to know if you're at risk of getting any infections, or if you already have them! These infections may be treated with antibiotics, which are detected in preliminary stages. There are sometimes no visible symptoms, however, which is why it is all the more necessary to regularly screen yourself and your partner.

Some Infections/Diseases Are Life-Threatening

While some are treatable and can be taken care of, some infections if left undetected or untreated can cause severe internal organ damage sometimes even leading to death. For instance, chlamydia can be transmitted from an already infected person to his/her partner via vaginal, anal or oral sex. If left undiagnosed, chlamydia can cause severe pelvic or lower abdomen pain which can even lead to infertility in women.

There's nothing wrong or shameful about getting yourself screened for these infections as the more you know about your health, the more you are in charge of your safety. There are a few tests for infections you can undergo -

Infections To Be Tested For:

Before beginning a new relationship or through your long-term relationship, it's ideal to get yourselves tested for various common infections like:

1. Chlamydia

2. Gonorrhoea

3. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

4. Syphilis

5. Hepatitis B

6. Hepatitis C

7. Hepatitis A

8. Herpes Type 1

9. Herpes Type 2

10. HIV Type 1 and Type 2

If you feel you want to be tested specifically, let your doctor be vocal about it. Discuss the risk factors and learn how to minimize them in future. Many common symptoms include heavy vaginal discharge, genital area ulcers, urinary pain or intercourse.