You’ve probably heard all of this before… the safe sex talk, or why you should always use condoms, birth control pills and the rest. And let’s face it, talking about diseases and infections isn’t exactly the most pleasant topic - it’s not like you’re going to just strike up a conversation on the bus about genital warts! But if one thing is true of sexually transmitted infections, it’s this: It’s a lot more pleasant (and a lot less embarassing) to talk about them than it is to actually get one.

The big thing you need to know is that the easiest way to get a sexually transmitted infections is by having unprotected sex, and using a condom is the most effective way to prevent them.

Few things in life are as important as your health, and exposure to a sexually transmitted infection (STI) is a real threat to anyone’s health. But these infections can be prevented - or at least your chances of getting one reduced - by knowing what they are. Prevention is key; since many STIs show no obvious signs or symptoms, it is your responsibility, to yourself and to your partner, to avoid infection and to be tested if there is any doubt - and to inform a prospective partner if you have an infection.

But in order to fully understand these “bugs” and how to protect yourself, the first step is to learn about the different types of STIs, what causes them, how to spot them, and what to do if you catch one.