Using a condom is the best way to avoid getting infected with HIV (the AIDS virus) and other STDs (Sexually Transmitted Diseases). Here are some things to know about condoms and STDs.

Some facts about sexually transmitted diseases

• Having sex with an infected person is the most common way to become infected.
• A large percentage of those infected are teenagers or young adults.
• Your risk of becoming infected increases when you change sexual partners.
• There may be no symptoms shortly after infection.
• The symptoms can easily be confused with other diseases.

STD symptoms: see a doctor if you have any of these

• Pain or burning when urinating and/or having sex.
• Discharge from the vagina, penis, and/or rectum.
• Pain in the abdomen (women), testicles (men), buttocks and legs (both).
• Sores, blisters, warts, rash, swelling in the genital area or in the mouth.
• Fever, headache, sore muscles, swollen glands.

Who should use a condom to prevent STD infection?

Anyone who engages in risky sexual activity must use a condom. The greatest risk comes from having sex (vaginal, anal, or oral) with a person who has a sexually transmitted disease. If you have sex with an infected person, you are at great risk. The best defense is to never have sex with an infected person. If you decide to have sex with an infected partner, you should ALWAYS use a condom from start to finish, every time.

Does using a condom guarantee that I won’t get a sexually transmitted disease?

Most experts agree that the risk of contracting AIDS [http://www.linknet-columns.com/articles-05/health/article-2.php] and other STDs can be greatly reduced if a condom is used correctly. But you can never be 100% guaranteed that you won’t get infected. And certainly condoms are much better than any other contraceptive alternative.

How does a condom protect against sexually transmitted diseases?

A condom is a barrier that prevents the transfer of body fluids between partners. If a condom is not used, germs can pass from the infected partner to the uninfected partner.

How do I choose the best condom to prevent STDs?

Read the label. Tests have shown that latex condoms can prevent the passage of STDs, while natural condoms (sheepskin) may not. The package must say that condoms are effective in preventing disease. If the package doesn’t say anything about disease prevention, condoms may not give you the protection you want, even if they’re the most expensive you can buy.

Novelty condoms will not say anything about disease prevention or pregnancy prevention on the package. They are intended for sexual stimulation only, not protection.

Condoms that do not cover the entire penis are not labeled for disease prevention and should not be used for this purpose. For adequate protection, a condom should be unrolled to cover the entire penis. This is another good reason to read the label carefully.

What kind of safeguards do condom manufacturers have?

All brand name condoms are subject to rigorous quality control testing at every stage of the manufacturing process. In the US, every condom is electronically tested for holes and flaws. Samples are taken from each batch and visually examined by a water leak test. In this test, samples are filled with 300 ml of water and suspended for 3 minutes.

Samples from each batch are also subjected to an air inflation test. This filling involves testing the condoms with air until they reach the breaking point. They typically hold around 40 liters of air, the equivalent of 9 gallons of water!

Other samples are checked for size and thickness, some undergoing physical resistance tests to destruction and others artificially aged using high temperatures to ensure they will retain their quality well beyond the 5-year shelf life of the product. product.

Are condoms from vending machines any good?

Using condoms from a vending machine can be risky. The fact is, you can’t be sure you’re getting a quality latex condom from a vending machine. It also may not be designed (and labeled) for disease prevention, so you may not get maximum protection. If the condom in the vending machine contains a spermicide, you have no way of knowing if it’s expired. And if the machine is exposed to extreme temperatures and direct sunlight, this can have an adverse effect on the condoms.

Where should I buy condoms?

The best advice is to buy from a trusted source that deals only in brand name products. If you’re shopping online, make sure the website has a wide range of brand-name condoms, contains helpful information on condom alternatives, and is accessible by phone so you can talk to a real person.