Question

What do you think are the most common misconceptions regarding STIs? Identify 2-3 misconceptions/myths regarding STIs. How do these misconceptions relate to this week's readings and lecture notes? Do you think these misconceptions differ on the global level? Select one of the misconceptions you picked and provide a country and a way that you would try to address the misconception with accurate information.

Answer 1

Some of the misconceptions regarding STIs are:

1. people with many partners get STIs
2. You don’t need to worry about STIs as treatments are so effective these days which is not true in case of HIV which remains in body forever
3. You can get an STI from a toilet seat
4. Oral contraception can protect against STIs
5. You can’t get an STI from oral sex

Yes these misconceptions differ at global level as we move from one place to another depending upon the culture and societal norms in that region. Also, these misconceptions dilute in places which have high sex education.

India Myth: You can’t get an STI from oral sex

Though the risk of getting an STI through oral sex is less than vaginal sex, risk is always there. Some infections are spread more easily through oral sex than others; the most commonly passed on are herpes simplex, gonorrhoea and syphilis. By using a male or female condom one can prevent getting infection through oral sex.