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Safe sex

Chlamydia - safe sex; STD - safe sex; STI - safe sex; Sexually transmitted - safe sex; GC - safe sex; Gonorrhea - safe sex; Herpes - safe sex; HIV - safe sex; Condoms - safe sex

Safe sex means taking steps before and during sex that can prevent you from getting an infection, or from giving an infection to your partner. These steps can make sex safer but not 100% safe.

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The female condom
The male condom
STDs and ecological niches
Primary syphilis

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A sexually transmitted infection (STI) is an infection that can be spread to another person through sexual contact. STIs include:

STIs are also called sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

These infections are spread by direct contact with a sore on the genitals or mouth, body fluids, or sometimes the skin around the genital area.

Before having sex:

Your sexual partner should be someone who you know does not have any STI. Before having sex with a new partner, each of you should get screened for STIs and share the test results with each other.

If you know you have an STI such as HIV or herpes, let any sexual partner know this before you have sex. Allow him or her to decide what to do. If you both agree to have sexual contact, use latex or polyurethane condoms.

Use condoms for all vaginal, anal, and oral intercourse.

Other tips include:

Get tested regularly for STIs if you have new sexual partners. Many STIs have no symptoms, so you need to be tested often if there is any chance you have been exposed. You will have the best outcome and will be less likely to spread the infection if you are diagnosed early.

Consider getting the HPV vaccine to keep from getting the human papillomavirus. This virus can put you at risk for genital warts and for cervical cancer in women.

References

Del Rio C, Cohen MS. Prevention of human immunodeficiency virus infection. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 363.

Landovitz RJ, Del Rio C, Cohen MS. Prevention of human immunodeficiency virus infection. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman- Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 356.

Swygard H, Cohen MS. Approach to the patient with a sexually transmitted infection. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman- Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 264.

US Preventive Services Task Force; Krist AH, Davidson KW, et al. Behavioral counseling interventions to prevent sexually transmitted infections: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement. JAMA. 2020;324(7):674-681. PMID: 32809008 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32809008/.

Workowski KA, Bachmann LH, Chan PA, et al. Sexually transmitted infections treatment guidelines, 2021. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2021;70(4):1-187. PMID: 34292926 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34292926/.

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Review Date: 4/18/2024  

Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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