by Stephanie

Ever feel like there’s a mass market for wrong information about sexually transmitted infections (STIs)? Do you leave a conversation with a friend or reading an article or website and wonder if what you’ve learned is the truth or one of those nasty myths? Just about any subject you’d hear about has them … and STIs are no exception. Now Scarleteen’s taking the time to debunk some of the most common misconceptions.

We believe that all sex should be something anyone chooses for themselves, based on sound, realistic information. In order to do this, it is vitally important to be able to distinguish between the facts and the myths about what is safe. Do you know the facts about STIs, or have you fallen for some myths?

MYTH: After oral sex – brushing your teeth will prevent STIs from developing.

FACT: Actually quite the opposite is suggested by most clinics and physicians. Oral sex is more of an STI risk for the person performing the act than the one receiving. Flossing or brushing right before or after may make your breath smell better but can also tear the lining of the mouth or gums increasing the potential exposure of any virus if present. Condoms or dental dams are the best way to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections -- second to not engaging in oral sex at all.

Check the research: Condition for Positive Sex: Can I get HIV from cunnilingus?, Royal Adelaide Hospital: Safe Sex and Condoms Essential facts,Scarleteen: STI Risk Assessment: The Cliff's Notes.

MYTH: Anyone with an STI can recognize the symptoms easily and know they need treatment.

FACT: Most sexually transmitted infections and diseases are actually termed "asymptomatic." This means that most often they do not show visible symptoms, and many of the symptoms that they would show if they do are ones that we can not notice easily. Some show rashes or happen with some itchiness, some will result in unusual genital discharges, but some others don’t show symptoms until the person has had the infection for quite some time, at which point even an otherwise bengin infection may have wrought havoc with your health. It’s important to be screened regularly once you begin having sex and to use protection with every new partner until you’ve both had two full clear STI screenings back.

Check the research: HIV and Sexual Health Charity for Life: Sexually Transmitted Infections, Planned Parenthood Wisconsin: The ABCs of STIs,Scarleteen: Would I see STI symptoms in a month?.

MYTH: Condoms have small holes that allow disease, infection, and semen through.

FACT: Condoms do not have little holes that allow disease, infection, and semen through – but condoms alone are not 100% effective in preventing all STIs.

Condoms reduce the chance of most STI transfer by at least 70%, and do even better than that for fluid-borne infections -- those spread by fluids, not just contact -- like HIV or Chlamydia. Those transmitted not through seminal or and vaginal fluids. but rather skin to skin contact, have a higher risk of being transmitted even with condom or other latex barriers use because condoms don’t cover the entire genital area. HPV and herpes are transferred by skin to skin contact and can be transferred when there’s no signs or symptoms present. Some people may ask what the point in using a condom is if you’re not fully protected, but aside from being tested regularly and having fewer sex partners’ condoms for vaginal, oral and anal sex and dental dams for oral sex offer the only protection from STIs. Additionally the chances of spreading herpes and HPV are reduced at a minimum of 50% with condom usage.

Check the research: Avert: Condoms and Spermicides, Journal of American Sexually Transmitted Disease Association: An In Vitro Evaluation of Condoms as Barriers to a Small Virus..

MYTH: If I only engage in oral or manual sex, I can't contract a sexually transmitted infection.

FACT: STIs are called sexually transmitted infections because they are just what the name says, they’re infections that are most commonly passed or transmitted through sex of all kinds. Unprotected manual and oral sex carry with them their own risks for different types of STIs than can be passed or received. Oral sex for instance poses the risks of Chlamydia, Cytomegalovirus (cmv), Gonorrhea, Hepatitis B, Herpes, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), and Syphilis. Manual sex poses the risks of Bacterial Vaginosis, Cytomegalovirus (cmv), Herpes, Human Papillomavirus (HPV, warts), pubic lice, and Scabies.

Check the research: Brown University Health Education: Oral Sex and STIs, Scarleteen: Safe, Sound & Sexy: A Safer Sex How-To,Teen Wire: Oral Sex Question.

MYTH: If you and partner have HIV there’s no need for condoms because you’ve both got it already.

FACT: HIV is an extremely variable virus that mutates or changes quite often. This means that there are many different strains of this same virus – and more than one can survive in the same person’s body at the same time. If you and your partner are both diagnosed with HIV it may not be the same strain so condoms are important to prevent cross infection. As well, other STIs spread if present can be much more difficult to fight off as the immune system is weakened by the virus – so for both partners to maintain he best possible health condoms are very important.

Check the research: About.com: AIDS/HIV, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: HIV/AIDS Basic Information,New York Times: H.I.V. Reinfection Surprises Scientists.

MYTH: If you have intercourse in a pool then there’s no risk of getting an STI because the chlorine kills it.

FACT: Sexually transmitted infections – both those passed through sexual fluids and those passed by skin to shin contact can be transmitted in the water.

Hot tub and pool water alike does not kill or immobilize sperm when ejaculation occurs inside or on the genitals, so not only can STIs transfer in water but women can become pregnant through intercourse in the water as well. Water does wash away lubrication rather quickly, so vaginal intercourse can be uncomfortable for women, as can receptive anal intercourse for men, and condoms can break more easily.

Check the research: Go Ask Alice: Is safer sex possible in a swimming pool or hot tub?, Scarleteen: Intercourse questions and answers to the third power.

MYTH: It’s impossible to have more than one STI at a time.

FACT: It’s actually quite possible to have two or more sexually transmitted infections at the same time, and when a person has one STI, they're a lot more likely to develop others.

Just the same, it’s also possible to have more than one STI and not know about them because they’re asymptomatic. Additionally, after treatment for an STI, the infection can re-occur if you are re-exposed. Some STIs like HSV (herpes) and HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) have more than one strand so even if you have one strand you can be infected with another strand if a partner is infected with a different strand than you are.

Check the research: Aboriginal Youth Network: Sexually Transmitted Diseases, National Aids Committee of Jamaica: Questions & Answers,Scarleteen: Testing, Testing….

MYTH: You can only get herpes if you have sex when your partner has an outbreak.

FACT: Herpes in general contact can be spread through contact of any infected area of the body to an uninfected area of an uninfected person’s body – even by an infected person touching an infected area and then using that same hand to touch another person. While it’s most contagious when an active sore is present or about to appear, it can be spread when no sores are either visually or perceived to be present. Sexually the infection can be passed through general touch, kissing, anal sex, oral sex, manual sex, or intercourse.

Check the research: International Herpes Alliance: Common Questions, Planned Parenthood Connecticut: Herpes(HSV),Scarleteen: HPV & Herpes: Why Safer Sex Isn't Always Safe Enough.

MYTH: You can tell by looking at someone if they have an STI.

FACT: It’s always been a common belief that if someone has an STI you’ll be able to know by paying attention to the number of partners someone’s had, the way in which they dress, the way that they look, and how clean they are. Generally these ideas are based on biases and not hard facts. Some STIs really don’t show a lot of visible outward symptoms, and because a partner may not be sure using protection is extremely important. There is no one type of person that catches STIs. Anyone who is sexually active can be at risk of getting or having an STI.

Check the research: Aboriginal Youth Network: Sexually Transmitted Diseases, So What Is Sexual Health: STIs,South Eastern Centre Against Sexual Assault: How Do You Catch an STI?.

MYTH: STIs don’t have any effects that last or may harm your health in the long run.

FACT: Many STIs can spread to other parts of your body if untreated. Additionally, if gone untreated for a long time (which can certainly happen if you’re not tested you may not show signs right away or at all) many STIs can cause long term damage and health problems. A lot of damage can be done to the reproductive organs and in the long run untreated STIs can even cause people to become sterile.

Check the research: Family Health International: Meeting the Needs of Young Clients:
A Guide to Providing Reproductive Health Services to Adolescents, Staying Alive: STIs,STI Risk Assessment: The Cliff's Notes.

Take a Look At the Scarleteen Misconception Series:

• Misconception Mayhem: Separating Body Myths from Facts
• Misconception Mayhem: Separating Bisexuality and Homosexuality Myths from Facts
• Misconception Mayhem: Separating Men’s Sex 411 and Sexual Health Myths from Facts
• Misconception Mayhem: Separating Pregnancy and Pregnancy Risk Myths from Facts
• Misconception Mayhem: Separating Relationship Myths from Facts
• Misconception Mayhem: Separating Sexual Myths from Facts
• Misconception Mayhem: Separating Women’s Sex 411 and Sexual Health Myths from Facts