How At Risk Are You?
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI's ) get passed from person to person through sexual activity. They can develop into diseases (STD's). Sexual activity includes contact through vaginal, anal, oral, outercourse, and mutual masterbation. The number of people with whom you have had sex increases your risk of getting STI's and STD's exponentially. Example: Had sex with only one person? You're probably thinking you're pretty safe. Right? But if that person had sex with someone else and that person had sex with someone else, you're not as  | "When you have sex with someone, you are having sex with everyone they have had sex with for the last ten years, and everyone they and their partners have had sex with for the last ten years."
- C. Everett Koop, M.D., Former U.S. Surgeon General. << Click for Audio Message >> |
safe as you may think. The more people in this chain, the more likely one of them had an STI. If ANY of them was infected, whether they knew they were or not, you're at risk for that same infection. How ugly can this whole thing get? Check it out by using the Sexual Exposure Calculator below to figure your risk!
The Sexual Exposure Calculator assumes that your partner(s) have had sex with only the same number of partners as you. For example, let's say your first sex partner was also having sex with you for his/her first time. This means you and your partner would only be exposed to one person; each other. If you have had two partners, and your latest encounter was also having sex for the the second time, then you both have been exposed to three people. Three partners = seven exposures! Want to get an idea of how your risks increase exponentially with the number of partners you have? Enter your number of partners. Remember, the calculator above shows the best case scenario.  Even if you have had sex with only one person, your true exposure is to everyone that person ever had sex with before you, AND every person those people had sex with prior to your partner having sex with them. Want to talk with someone who can help you evaluate and change your sexual exposure in the future? Need to be screened for STI/STDs? Caring advocates and medical professionals are here to help. Call 208-892-WISH or make an appointment on-line. |
