Sexually transmitted diseases (known also as STD’s) can occur without between partners at any time, and some may even manifest without symptoms. Since they are transmitted through sexual, physical contact, there can also be an occurence of sexually transmitted infections that occur but present with symptoms that differ slightly from STD’s.

Unfortunately, sexually transmitted diseases are often misunderstood in the ways that they’re transmitted, which can cause them to be further spread. Some erroneous information about STD’s include:

- Transmission only occurs through genital sex. This is incorrect since sexual diseases and infections can be transferred through oral and anal sex as well. This also includes tranmission through bodily fluids like saliva (kissing).

- Condoms help prevent STD’s. This is true but only if the condoms are used correctly to prevent breakage or slippage. Since condoms are also used as a method of birth control, they are also thought to help prevent sexual diseases as well. In both instances however, they must be properly used to avoid any mishaps from occuring.

- STD’s are not painful and no symptoms will occur. This is untrue because there are multiple symptoms that can occur with sexual diseases. If a person has had exposure to any sexual diseases through their partners, they should be examined by a physician immediately.

Reportedly, there are approximately 15 million cases of diseases that are transmitted sexually, and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention confirm that these statistical cases occur in the United States. HIV is the most commonly transmitted sexual disease that is reported with others that also occur but less frequently including syphillis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, genital herpes and bacterial vaginosis.

Individuals who are at a high risk for acquiring a sexually transmitted disease include adolescents and young adults, which are often those who are sexually inexperienced.