If you contracted one disease you are at risk for other diseases as well.

All sexual partners need to receive notification and treatment.

"How can I tell if my partner has a disease?"
You can't tell just by looking at her. If she had unprotected intercourse or oral sex the night before she could have been infected as recently as that exposure and this would put you at risk as her new partner. Use a condom until you are sure that you both want to remain monogamous and then proceed for testing as a couple prior to engaging in unprotected intercourse.

"I kissed this girl and now I'm afraid that I will get something from her mouth."
The oral cavity can harbor a lot of germs including oropharyngeal gonorrhea and Chlamydia. Briefly kissing someone puts you more at risk for Herpes and strep throat or mononucleosis. If the person you are kissing has actively bleeding gums or open lesions that you do not suspect, you are at increased risk for exposure.

"She smelled pretty bad but at the time we had sex I didn't care, now I do!"
Women can have vaginal discharge that indicates a condition which is not necessarily an STD. Women can suffer pelvic inflammatory disease, vaginal yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis and other infections. Occasionally, a woman can have a tampon lodged and forgotten in her vagina and this can cause odors and other health problems for her. Ask this woman if she is feeling alright and take her aside and inform her of your concerns. She might be offended but this may prevent more serious concerns later on.

"I know she gave this other guy oral sex, can I get something from kissing her?"
Yes, potentially.

"Can I get a disease if my penis accidentally touched the toilet seat?"
This is unlikely. You do not have to rush to the doctors or worry unless you get a discharge or stinging when you urinate. Your own immune system should take care of any of these germs. Cold toilet seats are very inhospitable areas for viral and germ colonization and growth.

"How do I get STD testing without my parents knowing?"
Every large town will have an STD clinic or two. To find the one nearest you, call the State Board of Health which is listed in the phone book usually under State Government. These state funded clinics promise anonymity and are set up for this purpose. Your student health service clinic can often be a good resource. Look under the 'Resources' section of this website for information you can use.

"How good are dental dams at protecting against oral disease transmission?"
Dental dams are a flat, square sheets of very strong rubber or other polymer which are used in dental clinics to isolate teeth for restorations. Usually purchased in a box, they provide an excellent barrier for when you want to give a woman oral sex. Since all you need to do is isolate and cover the external vagina before you put your mouth there, this is an effective way of preventing disease transmission.

"Why don't porn stars get STDs?"
They do and suffer the consequences just like anyone else who has unprotected intercourse with multiple partners. The porn industry tries to regulate itself and has developed its own health center and utilizes testing for some STDs.

"How do I find the nearest STD clinic?"
To find the one nearest you, call the State Board of Health which is listed in the phone book usually under State Government. These state funded clinics promise anonymity and are set up for this purpose. Your student health service clinic can often be a good resource.

"Why should I go to an STD clinic when I have a doctor and health insurance?"
Most insurance companies will not pay for a doctor to screen you for STDs and you will be stuck with the bill which can run several hundred dollars in a private clinic. Your insurance company will also find out that you have sought out STD testing and this is information you may not want anyone to know about who might see the bill.

"Doc, I have a rash"
Rashes always have to be seen to be diagnosed. Especially when there are partners involved who may need to be protected and given prophylactic treatment.

"What's the worst STD I can get?"
HIV. It is insidious, difficult to detect in early stages so infection to other partners can occur without your knowledge and it is emotionally and physically devastating.

"I wash my genitals and urinate soon after intercourse, am I reducing the chances of getting an STD?"
There is no proof that this is effective but washing your genitals with an iodine solution called Betadine may provide some protection against gonorrhea transmission.