If you're having sex, you could get a sexually transmitted disease (STD), from a partner who might not know they are infected. Some STD’s are curable - syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis – meaning they will go away if you take prescribed medications correctly and completely. Other STD’s are treatable – HIV, HPV, herpes – meaning you may be able to get some relief from the symptoms but the virus remains in your body. You can't get STDs from a public bathroom, or from kissing, or even from rubbing bodies with your clothes on. You get STDs from genital skin-to-skin contact or exchange of semen (cum) or vaginal fluids during unprotected sex.

Young people are particularly at-risk for HIV, between 1,000 and 1,500 HIV infected young people live in the Washington, D.C. area, yet only 100 of them are receiving medical care.

Deciding to have sex is a big deal. Only you can determine when you’re ready. You should never feel pressured into having sex. It’s okay, and nothing is wrong with you if you ever decide that you don’t want to have sex. Real talk about sex is difficult for almost everybody but it’s the only way to figure out what’s best for you. It’s true that a sexual partner who really respects you will be open to talking about how you feel and support you in whatever decision you make. Remember that only abstinence, when practiced correctly, leaves no chance for pregnancy or infection. Click here if you’re not sure you’re ready to have sex? Click here if you want tips on how to talk to your partner about sex?

There are many ways you can be sexually active, but all sexual activity has some risk. Learning how to use condoms correctly and using them every time you’re sexually active is the best way to reduce your risk for STD’s. Drop-in to Metro TeenAIDS anytime Monday-Friday 11-7, to talk or get tips on how to have safer sex and/or to pick up free condoms and lube. You may not realize it but feeling good about who you are and taking care of yourself by putting your health first go a long way in supporting you to use condoms every time you have sex.

Having unprotected sex of any kind (vaginal, oral, anal) or a condom "failure" (rips, breaks, or falls off) puts you at risk for getting a STD, and could also result in an unplanned pregnancy! If you’ve had unprotected sex and are concerned about an unplanned pregnancy you should see a health care provider about emergency contraception. Planned Parenthood can give you the " morning after pill," up to five days after unprotected sex or a condom failure to help prevent pregnancy. Planned Parenthood also offers birth control (shot, pill, patch and ring) to patients who want to use it. But remember, these methods do not protect against STDs - only condoms and not having sex can do that!

• Use condoms. Even if you’re not yet sexually active, you can definitely benefit from practicing putting a condom on and taking it off correctly. You can practice using condoms on your body, a banana, a cucumber or even a baseball bat. So that whenever you decide you’re ready, you’re skills will be ready too! Or you can drop in to FreeStyle and one of the youth peer educators or staff can give you tips on how to use a condom correctly.
• Get tested for HIV. Knowing your HIV status is key to making healthy sexual choices. You can get a free, confidential and painless test at Metro TeenAIDS. Whether you test positive or negative for HIV, it’s important to remember that while HIV can be treated, it can NOT be cured.
• Got symptoms? Go to a clinic right away. Southeast STD Clinic or Planned Parenthood are good options. Or click here to find contact information for a low cost & confidential clinic located near you.
• If a condom rips, breaks or falls off see your medical provider immediately. You can also go to Southeast STD Clinic or Planned Parenthood to see if the morning after pill to prevent pregnancy is a good option for you. Remember, if you wait more than five days this pill won’t help you.
• Talk, talk, talk to your partners about sex and STDs.
  For info to your phone: Text REALtalk to 61827 (your normal texting rates will apply).
• Be real - During any clinic or doctor visit, be truthful with your doctor when asking or answering questions about what kind of sex you’re having. That will ensure that you are tested only for infections for which you may be at risk.

YWSW are at very low risk for contracting bacterial STDs such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. Viral infections such as herpes and HPV (genital warts) are more likely to be transmitted between women (see STD risk chart). Always use a barrier for oral sex -- cut-open condoms, dental dams or household plastic wrap will all do the trick. Don’t forget that annual pap tests are recommended for all sexually active women. If you or your partner has had sexual contact with men, you are at a higher risk for HIV and STDs. Click here for additional information on young women’s sexual health.

The number of YMSM that are testing positive for HIV and other STDs like gonorrhea, syphilis and chlamydia is on the rise, especially for young African American men in Washington, DC. This may be because many YMSM are unsure of their HIV status and are having more oral sex. While oral sex is considered a low risk for HIV, you can easily transmit other STDs (see STD risk chart). If you engage in anal sex remember to use condoms every time. Click here for additional information on young men’s sexual health.

If you're HIV- and have an STD like syphilis or gonorrhea, you are two to five times more likely to become HIV infected if you have unprotected sex with an HIV+ partner. If you are HIV+, you're more likely to get an STD from an infected partner and to have complications from that STD.

• If you're sexually active with more than one partner, see a medical provider for routine STD testing every 3-6 months, even if you are only having oral sex.
• If you find out you have an STD, get it treated quickly and let your sex partners know. If you are shy about contacting them directly, click here use the ecards found at inSPOT.org.

Rubbing bodies
STD
Sex
HIV
HPV
Herpes
Syphilis
Chlamydia
Trichomoniasis
Gonorrhea
Condoms
Abstinence
Low cost & confidential clinic
Southeast STD Clinic
Morning after pill

Not yet sexually active
Oral sex
Metro TeenAIDS
Use Condoms
FreeStyle Drop In Center
See how it should be done
Planned Parenthood
STD risk chart

Talk to your partners about sex (PDF)
Women’s sexual health
Men’s sexual health
Pap test
Anal sex
InSpot