Demystifying five false STI myths

This is revealed by a study in 2016 done to identify the testing rates of this STDs and STIs among youths aged between 15-25 years. They realized that the rates recorded were lower than those recommended by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention. This call for the knowledge of the truth and related risks to these STDs so that people may eliminate these myths towards the prevalence, symptoms and their long term effects. By this, people can easily seek care, testing and their personal protection.

Dr. Maria brings down to the understanding of these sexually active youths, knowledge about the associated myths to these infections so that they can assess the need for regular, thorough testing and follow up treatment when need be.

The following are the related STIs myths:

  1. STDs & STIs are rare- most people feel it is a taboo to discuss these conditions and are always left with a lower perception of the related risks. Due to this, majority dismiss the need for testing and treatment since they undermine the risk of transmission. The greatest feeling is that these conditions are rare. However, the reality is that they are very common.
  2. Use of birth control pill will prevent transmission of STD- many fail to know that birth control pill only prevent pregnancy. The truth is that IUD and pills cannot prevent STD contraction since their transmission is via physical contact and fluid exchange with the infected persons. Condoms and dental gums may be preferred barriers yet they do not offer a 100% safety. They would be efficient to prevent contraction of Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and HIV but not necessarily against genital warts or herpes. Their breeding site is not covered by the condom and thus contact would lead to transmission.
  3. Two condoms are better than one-this may seem effective to prevent pregnancies, but the truth is that with this is an increased risk of their rupture due to increased friction and thus amplifies the risk rather than prevent infection.
  4. Others believe that use of chlorine and heat in a hot tub or pool would kill the STD germs and thus feeling protected against infection. Hot water or chlorine cannot kill the bacteria and viruses. Uses of chlorine will breakdown the condom latex and in such cases infection would occur.
  5. Others believe that when one of their partners have an STD then they are automatically infected- this is somehow true but for the STDs that undergo latency before flaring up would be treated before their transmission. At the same time, the same time, others will be carriers of these infections yet without symptoms. So without screening, testing and treatment infection would still arise.

Remember that the only way to know whether you have an infection is to take a same day STD testing.

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