Sexversate on Facebook

3 of Spades: Do you have a responsibility to tell your partner if you have an STI?

--Molly Hays

Sexversations® are a series of questions about sex, intimacy, sexuality, relationships, STIs and questions for your conscience that are set in a super chic deck of cards. It’s sexy (to say the least), entertaining and informative. Through Sexversating we empower. Find out and get involved in the Sexversations® Facebook Group , Facebook Fan Page, or website.

This week we’re sexversating about STIs (sexually transmitted infections) and informing your partner. Check out the 3 of Spades post and then give us your two cents. Or for 15 dollars you can purchase your own game at sexversations.com and get your own sexually employing game of poker on.


But before you do, here’s a brief rundown on the current state of STIs.

- There are over 30 different bacteria, parasites and viruses that can be sexually transmitted.
- The most common STI’s are gonorrhoea, chlamydial infection, syphilis, trichomoniasis, chancroid, genital herpes, genital warts, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B.
- In 2007, over 1 million cases of Chlamydia were reported, making the disease the most prominent reported disease in 2007.
- STIs can be transmitted not just sexually, but also from mother to child during vaginal birth, and from tissue and blood transfers.
- People ages 15 to 24 comprise nearly half of all new STI cases yearly.
- Many people living with STIs experience few or no symptoms at all.
- The next most effective safe sex practice in reducing STI transmission risks, besides abstinence and monogamy, is employing consistent and correct use of male condoms.
- Gardasil, the HPV vaccine, protects against viruses that cause 70% cervical cancers and 90% of genital warts.
- STIs are the main cause of preventable infertility, especially for women.
- 19 million new infections are reported each year in the United States.


Thanks to the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for statistical information.


P.S. Atlanta is hosting the 2010 National STD Prevention Conference next March. It may be a while out, but then again, it’s never too early to plan for your health and well-being.
In the meantime, log on to Facebook and start sexversating!