You can protect yourself from getting an STI by:

• Consistently and correctly practicing safe sex. This means always and correctly using a condom or dental dam for vaginal, anal or oral sex. Condoms are easily available in many places: supermarkets, drug stores, pharmacies, discotheques, on internet, at your local GGD (for free) and many other places. Make sure to check your condoms are reliable by checking that they have a CE mark on the pack, and that the expiry date is still okay.
• If you have unprotected sex, then doing this with one other stable and uninfected person (therefore not having multiple partners, and neither of you having an STI infection).

A very important thing is to have yourself and your partner tested for all STI's including HIV before you engage in unprotected sex. Once you know your status you can make some choices: either go on treatment in time should you be infected, or engage in safe sexual behaviour that keeps you healthy should you not be infected. 

The advice is to avoid unprotected sexual contact with any new sexual partners in the first three months of your relationship. A test can only show for sure whether you or your partner are STI free if done after three months.

There are many places you can go for confidential and professional information in The Netherlands. These include: Your GP (huisarts), a GGD clinic (these are all over the country), SOA AIDS/Info Helpline (0900  204 2040; 10cts per minute; 24 hours per day; also English spoken), http://www.life2live.nl/ and http://www.soaaids.nl/

There are many places you can go for confidential and professional help in The Netherlands. Both for examination and treatment of STIs. These include: Your GP (huisarts), a GGD clinic (these are all over the country). You can find more information on: www.soaaids.nl/soacentra.html

You can get an STI from having unsafe sex. That means, by having vaginal, oral or anal sexual contact without using a condom. The problem with STIs is that sometimes people who are actually infected have no (visible) symptoms. They may not even know themselves that they have an STI. Think of HIV. Many people who have it feel and look perfectly healthy. Others know they have an STI but are too shy or embarrassed to tell you. It is therefore very important to use condoms correctly and consistently in order to keep yourself free of STIs. In addition to this, always go for a check up should you suspect you might have been exposed to an infection. For instance, after having unsafe sex.

• By having unprotected vaginal or anal sexual intercourse (without proper and consistent use of condoms)
• By getting (menstrual) blood or sperm in the mouth during oral sex (there is a small chance of passing HIV infection during oral sex. This can happen when the partner giving oral sex has cuts, wounds abrasions or bruised tissue in the mouth)
• Through blood to blood contact, for instance, in blood transfusions with infected blood, and sharing of sharp objects such as needles, razors and knives
• Through mother to child transmission during delivery or through mother's milk (during breastfeeding)

Yes, STIs can be transmitted during unprotected oral sex. Oral sex is a much lower risk activity than intercourse, but there is still a possibility for transmission. Not using a condom, dental dam, or other barrier puts both partners at risk. The use of condoms (with or without taste) and/or a dental dam will reduce the risk of infection. The complete elimination of transmission of STIs (such as HSV/HPV) during (oral) sex is impossible. There is always a risk. This means that performing and receiving oral sex puts you at risk.

You have an increased risk of being exposed to STIs during oral sex in the following situations: you have gum disease, cuts or sores, you've had recent dental work that bruised any tissue in your mouth or you have vigorously brushed or flossed.

Oral sex in which sperm or (menstruation) blood of the HIV infected person gets in the mouth is unsafe. Research indicates that the presence of gum disease, cuts or sores, wounds, having had recent dental work done that bruised any tissue or having vigorously brushed or flossed your teeth can increase the chance of HIV infection during oral sex. The chance of HIV infection via oral sex whereby neither the sperm nor the (menstruation) blood of the HIV infected partner gets into the mouth is small.

Some STIs are more likely to be transmitted during oral sex than others. These are:

• Herpes:

Herpes is transmitted by skin-to-skin contact with a developing or existing sore. The virus can be transmitted from genitals to mouth if the person giving oral sex has or is developing a cold sore. It can also be transmitted from mouth to genitals if the person receiving oral sex has or is developing a genital sore.

• Gonorrhoea:

Gonorrhoea is transmitted when bacteria are present in body fluids. A person giving oral sex can get a gonorrhoea infection of the throat if their partner has gonorrhoea.

• HIV/AIDS:

For the person receiving oral sex, there's little chance of contracting HIV, although it's difficult to pinpoint when HIV has been transmitted because people rarely engage in only one type of sexual activity. In the case of fellatio (oral sex on a man), the HIV virus theoretically could gain entry from the mouth to the opening on the tip of the penis, or through an open cut or lesion on the penis. If you receive oral sex, however, you mainly expose yourself to saliva, which has negligible concentrations of HIV.

For the cunnilingus (oral sex on a woman) recipient, the chance of HIV transmission is also low, although the entire vagina is a mucous membrane through which, theoretically, the virus can be transmitted. A woman receiving cunnilingus is more at risk of getting herpes or gonorrhoea from her partner than HIV.

The risk of HIV infection is greater for the partner who performs oral sex. A person performing oral sex on a woman should avoid it during her period, for menstrual blood can carry the HIV virus. Research suggests that HIV transmission by oral sex is associated with cuts, lesions, or irritation of the tissues in the mouth.

Some other STIs are less often transmitted through oral sex. These are:

• Genital Warts (HPV)
• Hepatitis B
• Syphilis
• Chlamydia
• Chancroid

The fact that it is best to talk about condoms before having sex does not make it easier. Many people, even those who already have experience with having sex,  can be quite embarrassed by the topic of condoms.

The best time to bring up the topic of condoms is long before you're in a situation where you might need a condom. When people are caught up in the heat of the moment, it might be more difficult to say no or to think logically.

One idea to make speaking about condoms easier is to practice opening lines. Especially if you think your partner will object, work out your response ahead of time. Here are some possibilities:

• Your partner says: "It's uncomfortable."

You might answer this by suggesting a different brand or size.

• Your partner says: "It puts me right out of the mood."

Say that having unsafe sex puts you right out of the mood. Permanently.

• Your partner says: "If we really love each other, we should trust each other."

Say that it's because you love each other so much that you want to be sure you're both safe.

• Your partner says: "Are you nervous about catching something?"

The natural response: "Sometimes people don't even know when they have infections, so it's better to be safe."

• Your partner says: "I won't enjoy sex if we use a condom."

Say you can't enjoy sex unless it's safe.

• Your partner says: "I don't know how to put it on."

This one's easy: "Here, let me show you."

• Try bringing up the topic in a matter-of-fact way. You might mention that you've bought some condoms and checked them out. Offer to bring the unopened condoms along. Or suggest that your partner buy his or her favourite brand (make sure to bring some of yours with you, just to be on the safe side). Offer to try different types of condoms to find which works best for both of you.

• Make it clear that you won't have sex without a condom.

Yes you can. This can for instance happen when pre-cum (fluid that a man's penis produces when he is sexually aroused, before actual sexual intercourse takes place) or sperm gets into the vagina. For instance, during foreplay or when masturbating each other, sperm can get into the vagina through contact with the fingers, sex toys or other contact.

Post-Exposure Prophylaxis refers to drugs given immediately following exposure to an infectious organism in an attempt to prevent the infection from taking hold in the body. In the case of HIV, the drugs are given in order to prevent infection with the HIV virus after exposure to the virus (for instance, if a condom tears during sex, after a rape, and so on). There is however no real evidence that PEP really works. Prevention of infection still remains the best option.

STI stands for: Sexually Transmitted Infection. Other names used for STIs are: Venereal Disease (VD) and  Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD). STIs are infections that are transmitted from one person to another person through unprotected sexual contact. Unprotected sex means having vaginal, anal or oral sex with an infected person without using a condom or dental dam.

STI is a term used to refer to all the sexually transmitted infections (STIs). HIV is one of the many STIs. It is however a very serious STI as there is no cure for it as yet.

You can get an STI from having unsafe sex. That means, by having vaginal, oral or anal sexual contact without using a condom. The problem with STIs is that sometimes people who are actually infected have no (visible) symptoms. They may not even know themselves that they have an STI. Think of HIV. Many people who have it feel and look perfectly healthy. Others know they have an STI but are too shy or embarrassed to tell you. It is therefore very important to use condoms correctly and consistently in order to keep yourself free of STIs. In addition to this, always go for a check up should you suspect you might have been exposed to an infection. For instance, after having unsafe sex.

Some STIs will cause infertility if not treated (in time). These include Chlamydia and Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (Also known as PID, which is a complication of untreated Gonorrhoea or Syphilis).

No. Not all STIs are curable. Viral STIs such as HIV, Genital herpes, Genital warts(HPV) and Hepatitis B cannot be cured. Once you've caught a viral STI, the virus will remain in your body. This means that the symptoms may recur over and over again. There are however medications available to inhibit the viruses making infections manageable. You will need to take the medication exactly as advised by the doctor in order for them to be effective.

Yes, STIs can be transmitted during unprotected oral sex. Oral sex is a much lower risk activity than intercourse, but there is still a possibility for transmission. Not using a condom, dental dam, or other barrier puts both partners at risk. The use of condoms (with or without taste) and/or a dental dam will reduce the risk of infection. The complete elimination of transmission of STIs (such as HSV/HPV) during (oral) sex is impossible. There is always a risk. This means that performing and receiving oral sex puts you at risk.

You have an increased risk of being exposed to STIs during oral sex in the following situations: you have gum disease, cuts or sores, you've had recent dental work that bruised any tissue in your mouth or you have vigorously brushed or flossed.

Some STIs are more likely to be transmitted during oral sex than others. These are:

• Herpes:

Herpes is transmitted by skin-to-skin contact with a developing or existing sore. The virus can be transmitted from genitals to mouth if the person giving oral sex has or is developing a cold sore. It can also be transmitted from mouth to genitals if the person receiving oral sex has or is developing a genital sore.

• Gonorrhoea:

Gonorrhoea is transmitted when bacteria are present in body fluids. A person giving oral sex can get a gonorrhoea infection of the throat if their partner has gonorrhoea.

• HIV/AIDS:

For the person receiving oral sex, there's little chance of contracting HIV, although it's difficult to pinpoint when HIV has been transmitted because people rarely engage in only one type of sexual activity. In the case of fellatio (oral sex on a man), the HIV virus theoretically could gain entry from the mouth to the opening on the tip of the penis, or through an open cut or lesion on the penis. If you receive oral sex, however, you mainly expose yourself to saliva, which has negligible concentrations of HIV.

For the cunnilingus (oral sex on a woman) recipient, the chance of HIV transmission is also low, although the entire vagina is a mucous membrane through which, theoretically, the virus can be transmitted. A woman receiving cunnilingus is more at risk of getting herpes or gonorrhoea from her partner than HIV.

The risk of HIV infection is greater for the partner who performs oral sex. A person performing oral sex on a woman should avoid it during her period, for menstrual blood can carry the HIV virus. Research suggests that HIV transmission by oral sex is associated with cuts, lesions, or irritation of the tissues in the mouth.

Some other STIs are less often transmitted through oral sex. These are:

• Genital Warts (HPV)
• Hepatitis B
• Syphilis
• Chlamydia
• Chancroid

No you cannot. The chance of there being enough semen/sperm, vaginal fluid, pre-cum, blood (or mother's milk) on a toilet, combined with the chance of any one of these getting into contact with any wounds or open spaces you might have on your body to cause an infection is so minimal as to be termed non-existent.

If you have an oral STI infection, you might experience a sore throat, tonsillitis, oral lesions, or cold sores. However, many oral STI cases are asymptomatic (show no symptoms). If your partner(s) is diagnosed with an STI, you should see a medical provider to be tested and possibly treated.

STIs that can be transmitted to the unborn child include: HIV, Genital herpes, Genital warts, Syphilis, Hepatitis B, Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea.

STIs can cause serious problems to both mother and child during pregnancy and after. Dangers include: ectopic pregnancy, spontaneous abortion, stillbirth, perinatal infections, congenital abnormalities and future infertility for the mother.

It is very important that you get yourself tested for possible STIs and get treated in time should you (want to) be pregnant. Better safe than sorry.

You can protect yourself from getting an STI by:

• Consistently and correctly practicing safe sex. This means always and correctly using a condom or dental dam for vaginal, anal or oral sex. Condoms are easily available in many places: supermarkets, drug stores, pharmacies, discotheques, on internet, at your local GGD (for free) and many other places. Make sure to check your condoms are reliable by checking that they have a CE mark on the pack, and that the expiry date is still okay.
• If you have unprotected sex, then doing this with one other stable and uninfected person (therefore not having multiple partners, and neither of you having an STI infection).

A very important thing is to have yourself and your partner tested for all STI's including HIV before you engage in unprotected sex. Once you know your status you can make some choices: either go on treatment in time should you be infected, or engage in safe sexual behaviour that keeps you healthy should you not be infected. 

The advice is to avoid unprotected sexual contact with any new sexual partners in the first three months of your relationship. A test can only show for sure whether you or your partner are STI free if done after three months.

There are many places you can go for confidential and professional help in The Netherlands. Both for examination and treatment of STIs. These include: Your GP (huisarts), a GGD clinic (these are all over the country). You can find more information on: www.soaaids.nl/soacentra.html

The fact that it is best to talk about condoms before having sex does not make it easier. Many people, even those who already have experience with having sex,  can be quite embarrassed by the topic of condoms.

The best time to bring up the topic of condoms is long before you're in a situation where you might need a condom. When people are caught up in the heat of the moment, it might be more difficult to say no or to think logically.

One idea to make speaking about condoms easier is to practice opening lines. Especially if you think your partner will object, work out your response ahead of time. Here are some possibilities:

• Your partner says: "It's uncomfortable."

You might answer this by suggesting a different brand or size.

• Your partner says: "It puts me right out of the mood."

Say that having unsafe sex puts you right out of the mood. Permanently.

• Your partner says: "If we really love each other, we should trust each other."

Say that it's because you love each other so much that you want to be sure you're both safe.

• Your partner says: "Are you nervous about catching something?"

The natural response: "Sometimes people don't even know when they have infections, so it's better to be safe."

• Your partner says: "I won't enjoy sex if we use a condom."

Say you can't enjoy sex unless it's safe.

• Your partner says: "I don't know how to put it on."

This one's easy: "Here, let me show you."

• Try bringing up the topic in a matter-of-fact way. You might mention that you've bought some condoms and checked them out. Offer to bring the unopened condoms along. Or suggest that your partner buy his or her favourite brand (make sure to bring some of yours with you, just to be on the safe side). Offer to try different types of condoms to find which works best for both of you.

• Make it clear that you won't have sex without a condom.

Firstly it is very wise that you and/or your partner have taken the HIV or other STI test. Now you are informed and can make some choices. If one and not both of you have tested, then let the untested partner also get tested.

Once you know your status you should get yourself on treatment as soon as possible to avoid further complications, and further infection of others. If you are pregnant it is also very important to get on treatment as your unborn child could also get infected, or worse still die before or after birth.

Is your partner not informed about your infection, let him/her know so that he/she too can get tested and get treatment and/or advise on how to stay healthy. GGDs and other health providers can inform your sexual partners for you should you not want to do it yourself. This can also be done anonymously should you so wish.