Protection

Condoms and internal condoms (“femidoms”) provide protection from sexual transmission of HIV and reduce the risk of other sexually transmitted infections.

Avoiding contact with visibly changed or inflamed skin areas or wounds as well as preventing blood and other body fluids, excretions, or pus further reduces the risk.

Vaccination provides the best protection from hepatitis A and B as well as the most common pathogenic HPV strains.

Some sexually transmitted infections can be transmitted despite taking precautions, such as using condoms. Since symptoms are often not present or go unnoticed, people who have sex with different partners should get tested once a year, sex workers preferably four times a year, even if no symptoms are present, and seek medical treatment if necessary.

When diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection, the sexual partners should also be informed so that they can also be tested and seek medical treatment. This also helps prevent reinfections.