Wiekes Knows: 10 facts about STIs
Let's talk about sex, baby, and then about its nasty consequences. And maybe you should also take this as a reminder to visit the GGD, if it's been a while. After all, STIs aren't exactly fun. You understand that yourself, but what do you really know about STIs? For instance, can you list all 25 (or more) of them? No, right? Then read these facts.
1. There are more than 25 different STIs
Bet you can't even name 15? That's why doctors insist so much on regular testing.
2. Condoms do not help against all STIs
Er, WHUT? Should you have herpes, you can still get it, even with a condom. The reason is that a condom does not cover the entire infected area.
3. You can get STIs even without penetration
OK, you may have known that you can also get an STI from oral sex, but you can also pass it on if you satisfy each other with your hands. This is because of the skin-to-skin contact, and so it is not completely safe.
4. Women are more likely to contract an STI than men
Well, fine then. We are apparently biologically structured that way because the surface of our vagina is larger and more fragile than a man's genitals.
5. The chance of infection is not 100 per cent
Indeed, the chances of being infected as a woman when having sex with a man is 45 per cent. Conversely (from woman to man), it is ‘only’ 28 per cent. From man to man and from woman to woman, unfortunately, no figures are known, but either way, of course, no reason to do it unsafely.
6. There is only one STI that affects men more than women
And that is syphilis, which has made a real comeback in recent years. What it does to men? Googling is at your own risk....
7. Pimples on your genitals need not indicate an STI
‘So ’genital acne' is a thing, you know that too.
8. There are only a few STIs you can be vaccinated against
These are hepatitis A, hepatitis B and some forms of HPV (Human Papillomavirus, which is orally transmissible).
9. The name gonorrhoea has a remarkable origin
In the year 131, this name was coined by Galen, a Greek physician. The name literally means ‘stream of semen’ because he thought that dripping was all semen running out.
10. Syphillis is called ‘the French disease’ by Italians and Germans
And the French call it ‘the Spanish disease’ again.
Image: “Sex Education” Sam Taylor / Netflix
