05 August, 2005  02:02 GMT
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Quiz: Are You STD Savvy?
Questions:
1. Which of the following condoms help provide protection against pregnancy and most STDs?
a. Condoms lubricated with spermacide.
b. Condoms marked "Sensitive."
c. Condoms marked "Extra Strength."
d. Condoms for women (aka "female condom").
e. All of the above
2. Which of the following STDs can be cured?
a. Chlamydia
b. Herpes
c. HPV
d. HIV
e. Hepatitis B
3. If you forgot to use a condom and begin to feel a burning sensation in your genitals, you could possibly be infected with which of the following?
a. Herpes
b. HPV (genital warts)
c. Gonorrhea
d. Chlamydia
4. Which of the following STDs cannot be passed on through oral sex?
a. Herpes
b. HIV/AIDS
c. Chlamydia
d. Pubic lice
e. Gonorrhea
5.There is a single test which screens for all the STDs at once.
True or false?
Answers:
1. (e) All of the above. The only condoms that don't give protection are those made from lambskin or novelty condoms (such as flavored or colored ones) that don't have any protection guarantees on their packaging.
2. (a) Chlamydia. All of the other infections are viruses which can be treated but not cured.
3. Trick question. It could be any STD, even one not listed.
4. (d) Pubic lice. Which is why it's important to use a dental dam for oral sex.
5. False. In fact, every STD has a specific and different test. Some infections get detected with a swab of cells, others with a visual examination, and still others (such as HIV) with a blood test.
Sexual Health Facts
It is estimated that 41,200 people are living with HIV in the UK, around a third of whom are undiagnosed.
You can get an STD from sharing towels or sex toys.
Your risk of disease from one bout of unprotected sex is 33 percent. That's a one-in-three chance. Think about it.
Here's how it breaks down from most likely to least: herpes, genital warts, chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV, Hepatitis B and syphilis.
As your number of sexual partners increases, so does your risk of getting cervical cancer.
While you can't "catch" cancer, STDs increase your risk of it.
Chlamydia, for example, puts women up to 6.6 times more at risk of developing cervical cancer, while women with genital warts are 10 times more likely to develop it.
Since many STDs have no symptoms, you could be on your way to cervical cancer and other reproductive problems without even knowing it.
Your best defense is to get a yearly gynecological exam, cervical smear and STD testing.
For advice on STDs, visit www.fpa.org.uk or call the free, confidential 24-hour helpline on 0800 567 123.
See Page 3 for More Sexual Health Facts
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