Protecting Against Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Sexual transmitted diseases, also known as STDs, are infectious diseases that spread through sexual activity. There are so many of them, including AIDS, herpes and chlamydia. The typical image of people at risk of contracting STDs are the sexually immoral such as prostitutes, adulterous people, fornicators and homosexuals. Very little sympathy is given to people of such lifestyles when they contract such diseases. People of moral standards view these people with "you deserve it" and "that's what you get" attitudes. However, even the sexually moral are at risk of catching STDs. This risk is brought about by direct or indirect contact with household members and non-related people. STDs are infectious disease that can be spread without sexual contact.

Household Members With STDs
In many households there are family members who have STDs. After learning that a family member has an STD, it would be best to take protective measures for yourself and other household members who do not have the disease.

Bathroom Use
It is important to clean the bathroom daily. Clean the toilet and bathtub with strong germ killing disinfectants, such as bleach and or ammonia. Keep disinfecting wipes in a convenient spot in the bathroom so they can be used to wipe over the toilet flusher handle toilet seat, and water faucets. Have the family member with the STD to clean the bathroom behind him or herself as s courtesy to others in the household.

Laundry
Keep the laundry of the family member with the STD separate from the laundry of the rest of the family. Have the family member with the STD to put his or her laundry in a basket and wash his or her laundry separately. Intense heat can kill any germ. So have the infected family member's laundry put through a drying cycle in the clothes dryer before washing in the washing machine. The heat from the dryer can kill any germs that washing may not get rid of.

Sharing Household Items
Avoid sharing such household items as scissors, nail clippers, and even eating utensils. If the infected person accidentally cuts himself with the scissors or clippers and then if you accidentally cut yourself using the clippers or scissors, you can be at risk of catching the STD. In the case of eating utensils it is best to keep the infected person's spoons and folks separate in washing and storage. The utensils after uses have saliva on them. The utensils may have even scratched the infected person in the mouth or gums. If these untangles are not properly cleaned and if they are used accidentally before they are cleaned, the user can be at risk of catching the STD.

Dating
Many people practice oral sex, which is a main way STDs can be spread. You may be unaware that the person you are dating could be secretly practicing oral sex on someone and at the same time dating you, putting on a goodie-too-shoe front. You may consider it to be unacceptable for the two of you engage in sexual intercourse, yet see no harm in kissing. If the person you are dating is secretly practicing oral sex, you can be at risk of catching a STD from him or her. When dating, do not only abstain from sexual activity, but also abstain from kissing.

Don't Play Tickle Bootie
Also when dating abstain from playing tickle bootie with your girlfriend or boyfriend. If your love interest has multiple sex partners that you may not know about she or he is at risk of contracting STDs. If you are masturbating him or her you place yourself at risk of getting the STD germs on your hands and getting it into your system if you put your hands in your mouth or if you have a cut on your hands.

Selecting A Sweetheart
When choosing a person with whom to have a relationship, choose someone who is not sexually loose. Sometimes it is difficult to determine the true moral values of a person right off. People are usually on their best behavior when trying to start a relationship. However, there are unspoken aspects about a person that can give indications about his or her sexual conduct.

Men Selecting Women
When a decent man is searching for a decent woman with whom to develop a relationship, he must be able to determine whether a woman he meets is loose. Sexually loose women usually have the following characteristics:

They tend to wear tight clothes.
They wear their blouse low cut and unbutton so their bosoms can be seen.
They like to wear dresses and skirts above their knees, and when wearing their short skirts and dresses they sit with their legs crossed and put out in a way as if they want them to be noticed.
These women also like to draw attention to their bodies

Women Selecting Men
Identifying sexually loose men:
Unlike women, a sexually loose man can not be discerned by his attire. However, they can be identified by their body language. Such men tend to boldly eye other women when out on a date with one woman.

Such men also tend to have a wondering eye. When talking to a women they cannot look them in the face. Instead their eyes wonder all over the women's figures looking them up and down, all around, and all over.

Sexually loose men are also very touchy. They like to touch women and feel women without permission. Some are bold touchers. They grab and squeeze women inappropriately and shamelessly. Some touchy men are more subtle and sly. They try to make themselves appear innocent by touching a woman casually on the arm, on the back, and patting their shoulders.

Other ways to weed out a sexually loose person is to listen for comments with a sexual undertone during conversations. Sexually loose people frequently have sexual thoughts. It is hard for them to hold a conversation without making some sort of sexual comment.
Also if the person you are dating proposes sexual intercourse immediately at the start of a relationship or at any other time this is a clear indication of an immoral person and a possible carrier of STDs.

Marriage
Although marriage is considered to be sacred and holy, a person who marries is at their highest risk of contracting a STD. This is due to the unfaithfulness of spouses. If one decides to marry the best thing that you and your spouse can do to protect yourselves from STDs is to be sexually faithful to each other. However, realistically, for many married couples, infidelity has occurred or will occur. So if a married person concerned about contracting STDs, she or he can get vaccinated for STDs. Consult your health care provider about getting STD vaccinations.

People who want to live a healthy moral life have a lot to be concerned about to achieve this goal. However, by being very cautious one can protect him or herself from health problems experienced by loose living people.