Health Conditions

What are the risk factors?

Risk factors are characteristics that may increase your chance for developing a condition. The more risk factors you have, the more likely you are to develop the condition. Any of the following may increase your risk for contracting chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis, genital herpes, and trichomoniasis:

• Age less than 25 years (individuals at greatest risk are women between the ages of 15 and 20 years and men younger than 25 years)
• Sexual intercourse or sexual contact with an infected partner (whether protected or not)
• Having other STIs such as genital herpes (having one STI increases the risk for contracting other STIs)
• Injection drug users (sharing needles with an infected person)

Using safe sex measures may help decrease your risk but will not completely void the risk. Some safe sex measures include:

• Know your partner. Before having sex, first establish a committed relationship that allows trust and open communication.

• Properly use latex condoms to avoid contact with semen, vaginal fluids, or blood. Both male and female condoms dramatically reduce the chance you will get or spread an STI.

• Stay sober. Alcohol and drugs impair your judgment, communication abilities, and ability to properly use condoms or lubricants.

• Be responsible. If you have an STI, like syphilis or herpes, advise any prospective sexual partner. Allow him or her to decide what to do. If you mutually agree on engaging in sexual activity, use latex condoms and other measures to protect the partner.

• If pregnant, take precautions. If you have an STI, learn about the risk to the infant before becoming pregnant. Ask your provider how to prevent the fetus from becoming infected.