Are you sure? The hidden dangers of STIs you can't ignore

A woman in a hospital bed. (Courtesy/iStockphoto)

Anybody who is sexually active, in any way or form, should always be acutely aware of the possibility of contracting sexual infections (STIs). The commonly known STIs are chlamydia and gonorrhea. But the list also includes HIV, syphilis, and Hepatitis B, among a host of other infections. What everyone should also know is that STIs are entirely preventable.

The ignorant may want an explanation of how STIs spread from one person to another. The spread simply happens when infected individuals have unprotected sex with others. Unprotected sex means failure to use protective barriers, the good old male and female condoms. However the infected may not always be aware of their status. So it also goes without saying that sexual partners, especially if new to each other, should pre-emptively subject themselves to STI screening.