What can a sexually active person do to guard against STDs?
A. If you decide to be sexually active, particularly if you have multiple sex partners, you must take steps to protect yourself. This means being honest and direct with your sexual partner. Ask your partner directly if he or she has an STD, or if they think they have been exposed to someone who has an STD. It may be a little awkward or embarrassing, but it’s certainly not as bad as being infected with herpes, gonorrhea or syphilis.Next, learn the signs and symptoms of STDs, and check your partner for them. Again, this may be a bit awkward at first, but genital warts, molloscum contagiosum and crab lice are even more embarrassing, and will make you ill as well.Most importantly, do not have sex with anyone who has STD symptoms. Urge that person to get treatment immediately.Finally, use a condom. Latex condoms have proven to be generally effective at preventing infection if they are put on before starting sex and worn until the penis is withdrawn.
