FAQs


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Below is a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). Click on any FAQ to read the full answer.

What is the difference between "reported" and "estimated" STI cases?
"Reported" STI cases are those for which the results of a medical test have been reported at the local, state, or federal level. While STI reporting requirements and mechanisms have improved, . . . keep reading

How serious of a problem are sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the United States?
For many reasons it is difficult to determine the exact prevalence (number of currently infected people) or incidence (number of new cases per year) of sexually transmitted infections. However, t . . . keep reading

How many STIs are there and what are their names?
The number of STIs (sexually transmitted infections) will vary depending on what is counted as an STI and whether sexually transmissible infections are counted. The Medical Institute uses a l . . . keep reading

How many people in the US are infected with an STI? Are many of those infected people adolescents?
It is estimated that in 2000 there was: - 18.9 million new cases of STIs - 68 million total cases of STIs- a combination of new infections and long-term infections About ha . . . keep reading

I heard that there are 6 steps to correct condom use. What are they?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), condoms must be used correctly to be effective in reducing the spread of STIs. The following steps are required to correctly . . . keep reading

What is meant by "consistent" condom use?
Consistent condom use means using a condom 100% of the time during every sex act. Few individuals actually manage to use condoms consistently and correctly for any length of time. Typical con . . . keep reading

What makes adolescent females so susceptible to STIs?
In all females the cervix is covered with 2 cell types---epithelial (skin-like) cells and columnar (like the cells lining the intestine) cells. In mature females, the outer part of the cervix . . . keep reading

How effective are condoms in preventing STIs?
Condom breakage and slippage is estimated to occur 1-4% of the time.1-4 This is known as method failure. By far the most extensive research on condom effectiveness has been . . . keep reading

What is the impact of nonmarital teenage pregnancy?
Currently, more than 700,000 teens become pregnant every year.1 Based on this statistic, a teenage girl has a 3 in 10 chance of getting pregnant at least once before the age of 20.su . . . keep reading

What can be done about the epidemics of STIs and nonmarital pregnancy facing our country?
People who postpone sexual activity until marriage to an uninfected partner are completely protected from STIs and nonmarital pregnancy. If this behavior choice (ie, abstinence) were to becom . . . keep reading

What is abstinence?
Abstinence is refraining from all sexual activity. Sexual activity refers to actions intended to result in sexual arousal or gratification. - Sex includes penile-vaginal, anal and . . . keep reading

What is secondary virginity?
"Secondary virginity" is a return to abstinence following sexual debut. A commitment to secondary virginity is often made with the goal of remaining abstinent until committing to a life-long . . . keep reading

Should parents discuss sex with their teens?
Absolutely. Multiple studies demonstrate that parent-child communication has an important protective effect on adolescent sexual behavior.1-3 Parents need to be actively involved w . . . keep reading

Which viral STIs are curable and which are incurable?
Herpes and HIV: These are the only two viral STIs which are always chronic. Even though people with herpes or HIV cannot currently be cured, their symptoms can be treated. HPV: . . . keep reading

What is the difference between sexually transmitted infection (STI) and sexually transmitted disease (STD)?
These terms are often confused, but they are not inter-changeable. Sexually transmitted infection is the broadest term. All STDs are STIs, but not all STIs are STDs. Sexually Transmitt . . . keep reading