Props to all the people sharing useful information and accepting the reality of the world we live in presently!
STIs are on the rise due to a number of factors, however as everyone knows, viruses are everywhere and it is only due to the fact that we develop immune systems capable of protecting us against them that we aren't killed by even the weakest of them. Infections are not something to seek out, nor are they pleasant, however they are a part of life and process of evolution; our defenses get better and their offenses get better, there is no end to the cycle, so knowledge and safety are the best defense, NOT prejudice!
One of the most common STIs currently out there, is HPV, which isn't detected by any of the tests they run when you get checked out and most people never develop any symptoms, although they may still pass it to others. In a way, this is good, because this means that Humans are developing the ability to fight off the infection and not be harmed by it; however for those who haven't developed the defenses yet, they may develop genital or anal warts, or various types of cancer. Natural Selection (thank god something is still doing it. In my opinion we could use a few more vicious infections to thin the population down to a manageable level...as callous as that may sound).
Quote:
There is currently no specific SPAM for HPV infection.[1][71][78] However, the viral infection, more often than not, clears by itself.[79] According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the body’s immune system clears HPV naturally within two years for 90% of cases.[1] However, experts do not agree on whether the virus is completely eliminated or reduced to undetectable levels, and it is difficult to know when it is contagious.[80]
More good news! However:
Quote:
At least 40 identified HPV types infect the genital tract. If a college woman has at least one different partner per year for four years, the probability that she will leave college with an HPV infection is greater than 85%. Condoms do not completely protect from the virus because the areas around the genitals including the inner thigh area are not covered, thus exposing these areas to the infected person’s skin.
They phrase most HPV articles in very gender biased terms that talk more about women due to the risks of cervical cancer, however, where do you think those women are getting infected from? You guessed it! Men who are infected!
So, the best you can do is be safe when you're having sex by doing so with people who aren't high risk and not being a high risk person yourself. What does that mean? Don't be sleeping with every random person you encounter. I know most of you put a lot of priority into having random sex, however that's the primary reason for the absolutely massive explosion in sexually transmitted infections in the past 20 years.
Unfortunately it's too late for most people who entered the dating and sexual realm without truly taking into consideration all the details and planning out how they would remain disease free for the rest of their lives. I've done some irresponsible things when it comes to sex myself, but that is NOT a good reason for you to do the same, or you can guarantee that you've got a 90% chance or higher of becoming infected with any number of things. For your own sake, I ask you to PLEASE give these things some thought ahead of time and decide if you're willing to risk your health, anal/genital warts, cancer, or some other awful thing, or infecting a girl you love or even sleep with just once, simply because you felt like having a quick fuck with some chick you met at a bar and didn't play safe.
Have fun out there, but be safe doing it!