Safe Sex
Definition
Safe sex means taking precautions, when participating in sexual relationships, that decrease the potential for transmitting or acquiring sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
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Description
A sexually-transmitted disease (STD) is a contagious disease that can be transferred to another person through sexual intercourse or other sexual contact. Many of the organisms that cause sexually-transmitted diseases live on the mucous membranes that line the urethra, vagina, anus, and mouth. Some also live on the skin.
Most of the infectious organisms are transferred by direct contact with a sore or lesion on the genitals or mouth. However, some organisms can live in body fluids without causing a visible lesion and are transferred by contact with the body fluid. Sexually-transmitted diseases are transmitted by both heterosexual and homosexual practices. They can be transferred to another person during oral, vaginal, or anal intercourse. Some sexual practices, such as anal intercourse, carry higher risk of transmission of certain diseases than other sexual practices.
Some STDs can also be transferred by direct, nonsexual contact with infected tissues or fluids. A common mode of nonsexual transmission is by contact with infected blood. For example, sharing needles when using IV drugs is a major cause of HIV and Hepatitis B transmission. Other nonsexual means of transmission include contaminated blood transfusions and blood products, through the placenta from the mother to the fetus, and sometimes through breast feeding.
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