World AIDS Day 2020: Experts on Preventing Sexually Transmitted Disease

World AIDS Day is observed on December 1 each year to spread awareness about the deadly disease which has so far claimed nearly 33 million lives according to the Joint United Nations Programme on HIVAIDS UNAIDSTransmission of the human immunodeficiency virus HIV that causes AIDS is attributed to sexual contact or needlesharing with infected persons or through transfusions of infected blood According to UNAIDS about 71 million people did not know that they were living with HIV in 2019 Stigma has played a major role in the spread of the disease and has prevented people from getting testedOn World AIDS Day Sexologist Dr Sharmila Majumdar lists down ways to prevent sexually transmitted diseasesAccurate informationMake sure that information about sexually transmitted diseases STDs are sourced from health experts or from a reliable medium and not from a random internet search The most common STDs are chlamydia gonorrhoea syphilis vaginitis genital warts HPV herpes HIV and hepatitis BSTDs are passed through sexual practices during vaginal oral and anal sex and sometimes by genital touching it is importantto understand how each STD is passed from person to person during sexDecide to be safe It is paramount to follow safety precautions while practicing sex Not following healthy sexual practices can increase the chances of transmission of STDs Always use protection as you canrsquot tell with certainty if someone has an STD many people have no symptomsChoose your protection Design a plan that will work for you Condoms are cheap easy to use and an effective way to prevent STDs Even in the case of monogamous relationships you must continue using protection and watch out for any bumps sores unusual discharge itching or pain or odour If you have multiple partners getting tested for STDs should be a regular practice since many STDs are asymptomatic Communicate Communication is crucial to practicing safe sex People sometimes have apprehensions about discussing the topic but talking is the only way to ensure that you and your partner are on the same pageMake safety sexy Safe sex doesnrsquot need to be boring Experiment with condoms different smells flavours textures colours thicknesses and styles Use a range of waterbased lubricants to enhance the experience Safe sex in times of COVIDObstetrician and Gynaecologist Dr Arockia Virgin Fernando insists that preventive measures are the need of the hour for people practicing sex during the pandemic For partners living in the same house it is advisable to have safe sex using a condom every time and avoid oral sex If your partner is not living with you it is advisable to not kiss or have oral sex and use condoms at all times If your partner has symptoms like fever cough or congestion it is advisable to abstain from sex till the symptoms disappear says Dr FernandoDr Fernando advices against casual sex Any type of sex with an unknown individual is not advisable during the pandemicDr Arockia Virgin Fernando andDr Sharmila Majumdarconsult on PractoCatch up on all the latest Crime National International and Hatke news here Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updates MidDay is now on Telegram Click here to join our channel middayinfomedialtd and stay updated with the latest news