Infection with sexually transmitted diseases, routes and probability of infection

It is not surprising that information about venereal diseases has become overgrown with numerous speculations over many decades, which many people continue to believe to this day. Therefore, it is high time to debunk these dubious myths and forget about empty fears in order to always be on the alert and protect yourself from dangerous infections.

Myth No. 1. You can get sexually transmitted diseases when visiting a swimming pool

This is one of the most common misconceptions.

The pathogens of sexually transmitted diseases quickly die in the external environment.

They can remain viable for a short time if they are on warm, damp things, but individual microorganisms are still not capable of causing infections.

As venereologists note, cases of household infection can only occur if basic hygiene rules are not followed (using other people's things, a toothbrush) or direct contact with a sick person (for example, a syphilitic).

Myth #2. You cannot get infected from a single intimacy with a sick person

Such cases have been recorded in world practice, but their percentage is very small. If you contracted an infection during a casual relationship, and your regular sexual partner did not show similar symptoms after that, it is too early to rejoice: the incubation period may be asymptomatic.

Myth #3. Sexually transmitted diseases can be treated independently, without resorting to professional medical help

Sexually transmitted diseases often have a much wider range of action than is commonly believed. Moreover, trouble in the form of infectious venereology rarely goes alone: gonorrhea often coexists with chlamydia and even hepatitis.

Experiments with antibiotics can play a bad joke on your body: you will only doze off the infection, which will sooner or later blossom in full bloom against the background of a weakened immune system.

Myth #4. Modern venereologists and dermatologists can detect all venereal diseases based on the results of one test

A reliable basis for this myth is the use of the polymerase chain reaction method, with the help of which it is easy to detect a large percentage of infections. But this type of diagnostics also has its own nuances (some pathogens remain in the blood for a long time even after the disease has been completely cured), so in each individual case, the decision to prescribe an analysis (be it one or several) should be made by a doctor.

Myth #5. You can’t get infected through oral sex

Yes, you can. The only consolation is the fact that the risk of such infection is an order of magnitude lower than during traditional sexual intercourse.

Myth #6. Washing the genitals immediately after sex reduces the risk of infection

On the contrary, carrying out such manipulations can aggravate the situation. Thus, popular douching will contribute to infection of the upper genitals, and thus provoke the emergence of complications.

Myth #7. The pathogen of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases can penetrate through small holes in a condom

Modern research proves that condoms have been and remain the most reliable method of protection. A high-quality and correctly selected condom provides almost complete protection against infection.

Myth #8. Any sexually transmitted disease can be cured with antibiotics in three days

So far, scientists have not managed to find a recipe for a universal pill that cures all sexually transmitted diseases. Therefore, in case of infection, you must definitely go to a venereologist for a prescription, which will be written out after receiving the diagnostic results. But you don’t have to look for a long time to find a reliable way to maintain your health – it’s having a stable sex life with a reliable partner!