What diseases are sexually transmitted diseases? What misconceptions do people have about STDs?

When it comes to sexually transmitted diseases, the public becomes very nervous and afraid, because sexually transmitted diseases are very harmful to the human body. Many people are afraid of getting sexually transmitted diseases, because sexually transmitted diseases are very difficult to cure, and they will also be attacked by public opinion. If someone has a sexually transmitted disease, they say they have an inappropriate sexual life. In fact, the public still has many misunderstandings about sexually transmitted diseases. So which diseases are sexually transmitted diseases? What misconceptions do people have about STDs?

1. The public’s misunderstanding of sexually transmitted diseases

Some time ago, two news related to “sexually transmitted diseases” aroused widespread social concern. According to media reports, a family of six from Fujian traveled to Shanghai and stayed in a high-end hotel. When they returned home, they discovered that all six people, young and old, were suffering from the sexually transmitted disease genital warts. In addition, the "inside story" of a tragedy that happened five months ago was recently exposed, and it was also related to sexually transmitted diseases. On February 28, actor Bai Jing was assassinated by her husband Zhou Chenghai. Bai Jing's mother revealed that "her daughter was infected by Zhou Chenghai's infectious disease" was the trigger of family conflicts. For a time, the topic of prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases was hotly discussed in society.

What diseases are sexually transmitted diseases?

Professor Zhu Xuejun, director of the Department of Dermatology and Venereology at Peking University First Hospital, said that STDs are sexually transmitted diseases, and there are eight recognized in the country, namely AIDS, gonorrhea, syphilis, chancroid, lymphogranuloma venereum, and chlamydia Sexual urethritis, genital warts, genital herpes. Since the 1990s, the incidence of sexually transmitted diseases in our country has increased significantly, with syphilis being the fastest-growing and currently at the forefront of infectious diseases. Experts say that currently the public has four main misunderstandings about STDs.

Myth 1: All sexually transmitted diseases are sexually transmitted diseases

Sun Lijun, director of the STD Prevention and Treatment Center of Beijing You'an Hospital affiliated to Capital Medical University, said that there are numerous sexually transmitted diseases. There are hundreds of kinds, but only 8 kinds are classified as sexually transmitted diseases in my country. The source of the contradiction disclosed in the above-mentioned "Bai Jing tragedy" is that Bai Jing found that she was positive for human papillomavirus (HPV) during a physical examination. HPV can be sexually transmitted, but it is not an STD.

Myth 2: STDs are only transmitted through sexual contact

Sun Lijun told reporters that STDs are mainly transmitted through sexual contact, but there are other ways of transmission. Taking genital warts as an example, 60-80% of patients are infected through sexual contact, and 20-30% are infected through other ways, among which indirect contact transmission is very common. Experts from the Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, said that STDs can be transmitted within the family. In addition to sexual transmission between couples, in a few cases, family members may also be infected through contact with the secretions of STD patients. However, the possibility that the above-mentioned 6 people in the family will be sick at the same time is extremely low.

Myth 3: Only sexually promiscuous people will get sexually transmitted diseases

Many people think that as long as they "keep themselves clean" they will not get sick. In fact, among the sexually transmitted disease patients Sun Lijun treats, there are virgins, preschool children, and old ladies in their 70s. She said that among all patients with STDs, 70 to 80 have no experience of promiscuity, and everyone has the possibility of contracting STDs.

Myth 4: Paying attention to personal hygiene will prevent you from getting sexually transmitted diseases

Experts from the Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences emphasized that after sexual intercourse, women should wash their private parts, urinate, and ejaculate outside their bodies. Antibiotics, topical application of drugs and other methods are not effective in preventing STDs.

To curb the spread of sexually transmitted diseases in the whole society, "obeying sexual ethics, maintaining a single sex partner, and avoiding extramarital sex are the fundamental solutions." Sun Lijun emphasized that the correct use of condoms can reduce the risk to a certain extent. The risk of contracting and transmitting sexually transmitted diseases is currently the most effective preventive measure. Formal medical institutions can provide standardized diagnosis and treatment for STD patients and protect patients' privacy in accordance with relevant national regulations. Therefore, patients with sexually transmitted diseases should not go to illegal medical institutions or seek treatment from tourist doctors, nor should they treat themselves. (Zhang Tong)

2. STD prevention methods

During sexual contact, in addition to requiring you and your lover to keep themselves clean, avoid inappropriate sexual behavior, and reduce the risk of contracting STDs, It is also necessary to practice some "self-defense skills" against sexually transmitted diseases so that you can be "free" in your sexual life.

1. Avoid having sex during extraordinary periods

When a sexual partner has abnormality, such as abnormal discharge, external genital lesions, ulcers, or menstruation, do not For a moment of pleasure, they reluctantly had sex.

2. Avoid certain sexual behaviors

It is not impossible to use ventriloquism and anal sex, but they cannot be used frequently. Precautions must be taken when using them to reduce the risk of illness. Dangers of STDs. For example, during anal intercourse, because the rectal mucosa of the anus is a single layer of epithelial cells, which is different from the multi-layered structure of the female private parts, it is easy to damage and bleed. It is more likely to damage the mucosa and cause infection than having sex through the female private parts. According to world medical statistics, gay men are 100 times more likely to contract AIDS than ordinary people. The main way of sexual intercourse among gay men is anal intercourse.

Therefore, if couples really want to find some novel ways to have sex, please remember to strengthen safety measures, such as wearing condoms during oral sex and anal sex.

3. Use barrier tools such as condoms

During sexual intercourse, do not seek temporary comfort and happiness and abandon the use of condoms. In addition to contraception, condoms can also prevent a variety of sexually transmitted diseases. It can be said that condoms are one of the best barriers to prevent sexually transmitted diseases. Because condoms contain lubricants, they can also reduce friction and damage during intercourse.

4. Use spermicide

For some couples who are using contraception, spermicide can also be used. Spermicide can not only kill sperm, but also inhibit the infection of many sexually transmitted diseases. It is equivalent to a strong barrier and plays a strong protective role in female sexual health.

5. Urinating and flushing the genitals after having sex

Of course, this is a temporary solution rather than a permanent solution. If you are really infected with an STD, no matter how you urinate, it may not be effective. The risk cannot be reduced. There is evidence that urinating or flushing the genitals within half an hour of intercourse may reduce the risk of gonorrhea infection.

It’s true to prepare for a rainy day, but you can’t talk about “sexuality”. In fact, as long as you keep yourself clean, have good sexual behavior, pay attention to sexual hygiene, and practice some “self-defense techniques” for STDs, STDs are not that easy. Come to the door.