Laura had accompanied her sick friend Joyce to the health centre. The doctor had requested for some tests to be carried out, one of which was a HIV test. Joyce had jokingly asked Laura if she was interested in the HIV test as well, an offer she had politely declined.
‘It’s free’ the lab attendant added.’
‘I don’t need it. I’m not the sick one’ Laura replied
A few minutes later Joyce’s results were out and her HIV test read negative. ‘You see, it’s no big deal.’ Joyce said’
‘Maybe, it was no big deal, Laura thought.’ After a while, she finally allowed herself to be tested. Few minutes later, she tested positive.

We often come across myths (like the one above) about sexually transmitted diseases. This article is an attempt to examine and debunk some of them.

MYTH 1: If you have an STD, you will know.
FACT: STDs are not always obvious. As long as you are having unprotected sex, you are prone to STDs. An example is seen in the scenario above.

MYTH 2: If s/he has an STD, you will know.
FACT: Some STDs don’t have obvious symptoms at their onset. For instance, herpes symptom can lie dormant for weeks before an outbreak. In other words, you can’t tell who has an STD by how ‘clean’ they look.

MYTH 3: Prompt use of antibiotics immediately after intercourse is an antidote to STD.
FACT: It’s not uncommon to see people walk into the pharmacy requesting for Ampiclox® after unprotected sex. Here it is, using antibacterial drugs do not protect you from STDs because not all of them are caused by bacteria. Some are caused by viruses, others by… Prior to treating an STD, laboratory investigations have to be carried out to ascertain what type(s) of infection.

MYTH 4: You can’t get an STD from MouthAction.
FACT: Infections like gonorrhoea, chlamydia and herpes can be passed through MouthAction, if your partner has mouth ulcer or an open sore.

MYTH 5: We’ve both been tested so we are safe
FACT: Not every STD screening is comprehensive for all types of sexually transmitted infection. For instance, Pap smears test for cervical abnormalities caused by high-risk types of HPV, but they will not detect many other strains of the virus.

MYTH 6: You can get an STD from a toilet seat
FACT: It is very unlikely that anyone will contract an STD from a toilet seat. STDs are usually spread through direct (skin-to-skin) sexual contact or by coming in contact with infected body fluids during vaginal or anal sex. Although rare, you may be able to get pubic lice (crabs) during contact with objects (e.g. bed sheets, toilet seats, clothing etc.)

In conclusion, the risk of contracting is STDs is lower when you stick to a partner and get tested often. If you have further questions or need to speak with any of our pharmacists, you can chat with us on the website http://mobmedng.com or call 08090844791

Good to know

WHERE ARE MY CONDOMS
BUHARI SEF