<p><b>STD CHECKLIST</b></p>
<p><b>Screening for STDs should be based on risk behavior, <u>not</u> symptoms. 
  New tests and new research mean changes. Learning about asymptomatic and 
  subclinical infection is the most important thing you can do.  Here is the new
  emphasis:</b></p> 

<ul>
  <li>People can have more than one STD at a time.</li>
  <li>Untreated STDs can cause serious harm including sterility, pain, and 
    stillbirth. Untreated STDs, those with symptoms and those without symptoms, 
    make it easier to get other infections; this includes HIV infection.</li> 
  <li>It is common for STDs to be passed from one person to another 
    <i>unintentionally</i> by people who have<i> no symptoms.</i> Most people 
    with chlamydia, herpes and genital warts have no symptoms or have symptoms 
    so mild that they are not noticed. These people can and do infect others. 
    This is one reason STDs are so common.</li> 
  <li>Since many people do <u>not</u> know they are infected, knowing your 
    partner means going with him or her for tests. STD exams and lab tests are 
    needed. Anyone who thinks they are free of infection because they do not 
    have symptoms needs an immediate update.</li>
  <li>In general, birth control pills and shots do not prevent STD infection. 
    Use <i>both</i> condoms and your other birth control method.</li>
  <li>Routine physical exams won't include STD tests unless you ask. A sports 
    physical is not an STD exam. A Pap test is not a full STD exam. You must be 
    very direct and say that you're sexually active and need STD tests. Speak 
    up <u>before</u> the clinician begins the exam so all the testing materials 
    are ready when the exam begins.</li>
  <li>Be very clear if rectal or oral testing is needed. Rehearse, role-play, 
    but do it. This goes for both men and women.</li>
  <li>All sex partners within a certain time frame must be examined and 
    treated; bring partners to medical treatment or ask for help from your 
    clinician or other clinic staff.</li>
  <li>Reinfection will occur unless all partners are treated. You need to 
    change the ways that you have sex so there is no risk of infection.</li>
  <li>No sex until treatment is complete and all sores are healed is the 
    rule.</li>
  <li>Negative test results do not always mean absence of infection -- the 
    tests may have been done too early.  No test is 100% accurate. Some test 
    results are quick; others, like herpes culture, can take longer than a 
    week.  For some tests, you must wait months until you produce measurable
    antibodies in your blood.</li>
  <li>Listen carefully to information about completing medication. Follow it, 
    or notify your clinician. Speak up so that schedules can be adjusted for 
    the way you live and work.</li> 
  <li>Be sure that you can phone or return to the clinic for test results. Tell 
    the clinic staff if you have phone or transportation problems.</li> 
  <li>Don't forget HIV, TB, hepatitis, and reproductive health information, 
    testing and services. Find out if you qualify for free hepatitis vaccine. 
    Make sure you keep appointments for all the needed shots or services.</li>
</ul>
<p>Source: &quot;<b>Washington State Responds</b>&quot; STD 101 for Outreach 
  Workers. Washington State Department of Health</p>

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<p><b>PREVENTION</b></p>
<p>The best way to prevent STDs is to avoid sexual contact with infected 
  people. One sure way to do this is Abstinence. Abstinence means not having 
  sex with anyone. Sexual fidelity is another way. This means having sex with 
  one (uninfected) person who has sex only with you, as in marriage. If a 
  couple practices sexual fidelity, and they have no STDs to begin with, they 
  will not be infected. Or if they did have one or more STDs in the past, they 
  will not get new infections. </p>
<p>People who choose not to abstain or practice fidelity must be responsible 
  for protecting themselves from infection. Knowing the right way to use latex 
  condoms and using them every time you have sex can help prevent the spread 
  of infection. Though not 100% effective, condoms are the best protection IF 
  risk behavior occurs.</p>
<p>When people drink and do drugs, it is hard for them to make safe choices 
  about having sex. Not using alcohol and drugs before having sex is a very 
  important part of preventing STDs.</p>
<p>Unless your sex partners are tested and treated for an STD, you can get the 
  disease again. A person who tells you that you need to be tested for STDs is 
  honest, smart and concerned about health. Thank the person and get 
  treated.</p>
<p>Some ways to protect yourself from STDs:</p>

<ul>
  <li>Abstain from sex</li>
  <li>Know that many STDs have no symptoms</li>
  <li>Know that birth control pills do not prevent infections--you must use 
    condoms along with birth control pills</li>
  <li>Know your partners--go with them for STD and HIV tests</li>
  <li>Be sure ALL sex partners are examined and treated if STD infection 
    occurs</li>
  <li>Have fewer sex partners</li>
  <li>Change the ways you have sex so there is no risk of infection</li>
  <li>Don't get drunk or high before having sex</li>
  <li>Don't use IV street drugs--never share needles</li>
  <li>Learn how to talk about condoms (rubbers) with all your sex partners</li>
  <li>Learn the right way to use condoms</li>
  <li>Use a new latex condom every time you have sex</li>
</ul>