While you might have received a rudimentary overview of chlamydia and other common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) during school sex ed, plenty of misconceptions about these illnesses remain. The most recent government statistics shows that over 420,000 people in England were infected with an STI in 2017 alone, so it’s more important than ever to ensure that we educate ourselves. To help separate fact from fiction, we’ve unpacked some of the most common myths regarding STIs.
- STI treatments are so good nowadays, I don’t need to worry
It’s true that treatments for STIs have improved significantly in recent years, and many of them can be treated effectively – but that’s no reason to throw caution to the wind. For instance, while HIV and genital herpes can be managed nowadays, they’ll remain with you for life and can have a significant impact on the way you live. What’s more, certain strain of some STIs, such as gonorrhoea, are becoming resistant to antibiotics meaning it’s not guaranteed you’ll get rid of it.
- STIs like chlamydia are symptomless
Chlamydia is the most common STI in the UK and very often people don’t notice any symptoms when they get it. But that’s no reason to ignore it– chlamydia can cause a lot of pain and, if untreated, make men and women infertile.
- You can get herpes from a toilet seat and HIV from mosquitoes
There are plenty of misplaced beliefs about where you can get STIs from. The primary way to contract an STI is through contact with infected body fluids (vaginal fluid, blood and semen) or through mucous membranes, such as a sore in the mouth. However, it is also possible to get STIs by sharing needles.
- Only those who sleep around get STIs
It doesn’t matter whether you’ve had 1, 10 or 100 sexual partners, STIs can affect anyone and it only takes one time without protection to get unlucky. It’s advisable, therefore, to use condoms, particularly with new partners. Contrary to belief, STIs are not just common amongst young people; they’re also on the rise in the baby boomer generation, too.
- You can tell if someone has an STI by looking
Many people believe you can literally ‘see’ if someone has an STI by looking at their genitals. This is simply not true – the vast majority of STIs have no visible symptoms.
- Getting tested for STIs is a lot of hassle
Perhaps one of the biggest misconceptions people hold is that getting tested for an STI is a difficult and embarrassing process. In fact, most tests are carried out quickly and easily by your GP or at a GUM clinic – and you can even do them in the privacy of your own home if you don’t have the time to visit a clinic in person.
STI rates remain worryingly high in the UK – and a lot of this is down to a lack of knowledge about the illnesses.. By making sure you know the difference between fact and fiction, you can keep yourself safe.
I feel #4 wakes so many people up.