Questions about STD’s and HIV Marjolein Stam Jet Groen September 14th 2014

Question 1  When you don’t use a condom you can become infected with HIV or any other STD.

True  If you have sex without a condom, you can get a STD including a HIV infection.  Contact between penis and vagina and penis and anus is enough to transfer, virus or bacteria which causes an STD. Also oral sex is a risk. You can get a STD in your throat and pass it to your sexspartner again.

Question 2  STD’s always disappear by itself.

False  STD’s does not disappear by themselves and must therefore be treated.  Always go to the doctor or GGD STD Clinique if you see an abnormality at your vagina, penis or anus (such as blisters, pimples, warts, etc..). Also, go to the doctor when the symptoms has been disappeared by themselves. In the case of syphilis the ulcer or skin rash disappear, but the syphilis remains in the body. Without treatment, an STD can have serious consequences. If you have a partner (whether you use protection or not) you have to take both the same treatment, preferably at the same time. This to prevent reinfection.

Question 3  If you have unprotected sex just once, there's no risk for an STD or HIV.

False  You can get a STD by having unsafe sex, even if it is only once. Also, oral sex and handjob (jerking off and fingering) is a risk.

Question 4  If you clean yourself properly (rinse vagina) after sex, you can prevent yourself from getting STDs.

False  Soap and water do not protect against STDs. By washing (or rinsing with a shower) you push the semen deeper into the vagina.  Soap and other rinsing products as Lactacyd can affect the vaginal milieu and cause damage. This damage can create a higher risk of getting an STD. You can, of course, wash the outside of the vagina (with water), but this does not prevent contamination.

Question 5  People infected with the HIV virus, are always aware that they have this virus-infection.

False  People infected with the HIV virus, usually have no symptoms in the beginning.  A person can be infected years without noticing anything. As result, that person can infect others without knowing it. Therefore it is important to have save sex (condoms and use extra lubricant)

Question 6 You can only get an STD if you have sex with a lot off different people.

False  You can become infected by having unsafe sex only one time. It has nothing to do with the number of sexspartners. The most important factor in protecting against STDs is having sex with a condom.

Question 7  Mosquitoes and other insects can transmit the HIV virus.

False  Insects can not transmit the HIV virus to humans. The amount of blood that an insect carries is not enough for the transmission of the virus. Additionally, the mosquito bites into the skin and not in a blood vessel.

Question 8  After a few years the HIV virus disappears from your body.

False  Someone who has the HIV virus will never get rid of it.  Treatment with medication can reduce the viral load and increase your resistance. As a result, your life can be prolonged and the quality of life maintained.

Question 9  When you have oral sex (cunnilingus) with a woman during her menstrual period, you can get infected with the HIV virus.

True  There is a risk of contamination when menstrual blood gets into the mouth.  There are patches latex (dental dam) which can be placed over the vagina to prevent direct contact between the tongue / lips, and the vagina / fluid / blood. You can also cut open a condom in half and place them over the vagina.

Question 10  You can use the same type of condom for vaginal and anal sex.

True  You can use the same type of condom for vaginal and anal sex. With anal sex, you need more lubricant.  In order to prevent vaginal infections, you need to take a new condom when you shift from anal sex to vaginal sex.

Question 11  If you test yourself immediately after having unprotected sex, the test will show straight away if you are infected with a STD by this person

False  The actual name of a HIV test is HIV antibody test. The virus itself is not tested, but the antibodies your body makes against the virus. It takes up to three months to make sufficient amount of antibodies to be observed in the blood test.  Therefore, a test only gives certainty about your situation, three months after unprotected sex. Hepatitis B and syphilis can also be tested after 3 months.  Chlamydia and gonorrhea can already be tested 1 week (2 weeks elsewhere) after unprotected contact by an urinesample or a vaginal swab.

Question 12  If you always use a condom, there is no risk of getting HIV or other STDs.

True and False  Safe sex to prevent infection with HIV is having sexs is using a condom and lubricant. It also prevents having semen or menstrual blood (with a dental dam) in the mouth.  Even if you always use condoms and there was no sperm or blood in your mouth, there is still a chance of getting an STD. For example, by handjob (jerk off and fingering).

Question 13  If you drink a lot of alcohol or use drugs and you are drunk or stoned while having sex, you have more risk of getting a HIV infection or another STD.

True  If you're drunk or stoned you can pass your normal limits without you realizing. That makes it risky.  The liquor or drugs themselves are not risky for HIV or STDs.

Question 14  AIDS is the same as HIV

False  HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. You will not immediately get sick when you have this virus. However, the virus affects all be the body's immune system and because of this weakens the immune system. You than can easily get all kind of physical illnesses. If this happens, the diagnosis AIDS: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome can be made.  A person is HIV positive when he / she is infected with the HIV virus. That person is not sick and can live like everyone else. The period between infection and getting AIDS can vary. Sometimes it takes a few months, but on average it takes 8-10 years.

Question 15  If you have oral sex (fellatio / cunnilingus) without a condom, there is no risk to get a STD

False  If you have oral sex, there is a chance of getting an STD.  For example, a gonorrhea or chlamydia in the throat or infection with the herpes virus.