can even contract an STD if
your partner is also a virgin.
It’s rare, but it can happen.
Many children contract oral
herpes from their families
while growing up. They can
then pass it on to a partner
during oral sex.
There are ways to protect
yourself from STDs. They may
not be 100 percent successful
all the time, but they can help.
Get Vaccinated
Currently two types of STDs
are preventable by vaccine.
These are the human
papillomavirus (HPV) and
hepatitis. Two HPV vaccines
are available. Cervarix protects
against the two types of HPV
that cause most cases of
cervical cancer. Gardasil
protects against those two
types as well as the two types
that cause the majority of
genital warts. Both vaccines
are most effective when given
before a woman starts having
sex. You can still get
vaccinated up through your late
20s.
A vaccine is also available
against hepatitis B. It’s
normally given during infancy.
Hepatitis B causes liver
disease. It can be transmitted
through sexual activity.
A vaccine for hepatitis A is
available as well. Hepatitis A is
not usually spread during sex,
but it can be transmitted during
oral-anal contact. The vaccine
is recommended for all
children at age 1.
Practice Safe Sex
Safe sex is very effective at
preventing STDs that spread
through infected secretions,
such as HIV. It’s less effective
at preventing STDs that are
transmitted through skin-toskin contact. However, it can
still reduce your risk.
JOY FEELINGS | DECEMBER ISSUE
208