If you’re sexually active (especially if you’re not in an exclusive relationship), there’s no excuse for not getting tested. Not a “one and done” test either. This should be a

part of your annual physical exam practice. Since reportedly 85 percent of Americans have herpes and don’t know it (there's no cure for that, by the way), that’s proof that

you can’t rely on symptoms to alert you to whether you are sick or not.

Depending on what you’re testing for, your doctor will either swab your genital region, request a urine

sample or take your blood (as with HIV). If you’d prefer to get tested for HIV at home, click here for information on how to do that (click

here for where you can go to get free and confidential testing if that’s what you prefer). And still, don’t let that be an excuse to not see

your doctor. You need a professional health diagnosis on a regular basis.

Again, if you’re not exclusive (meaning committed for a relatively long period of time), use a condom. From beginning to end. Every single time. Here are some of the rules about

condom use. If it's for STI prevention, they always need to be latex. You need to store them in a cool dry place when you’re not using them. You should always

check for the expiration date. Do not open a package up unless you are going to use the condom immediately. Water-based lubricants (DO NOT use baby oil, cooking oil or

lotion) are recommended to avoid friction and reduce the chances of the condom breaking. The air needs to be squeezed out of the tip before the condom is put on

(that makes room for the semen to come). And as sexy as it might look on television, keep your teeth (and sharp fingernails) away from opening the package. That increases

the chances for putting a hole in the condom.

One more thing. If you’re planning on having oral sex, you can get an STD that way too. A dental dam might

be in order. Read more about that here.

According to some research that was conducted at Harvard Medical Center, washing before and after sex can significantly reduce your risk of contracting an STD. The conclusion is that between

the hot water, soap and even shampoo and conditioner, you are able to remove traces of germs and viruses on your skin if you wash up.

Two points. First, this doesn’t count

if you plan on having sex in the shower. Secondly, this is not a safe sex practice. It's mostly a reminder that cleanliness is always a good idea. Sex or no

sex.

The more partners you have, the more you up your chances for contracting an STD. Remember, not only are you having sex with “them” but the people they slept with

too. Yep. Eww.

Only on television can you met some random person, have unprotected sex and live (relatively) happily ever after---whether with them or without them. Don’t play yourself. Ask the necessary

questions (like “Are you currently sleeping with other people?” and “When’s the last time you got tested?”) and listen to your gut. If it doesn’t seem like a good idea,

it probably isn’t.

Being drunk (or high, on anything) is not a good idea. When you’re not thinking clearly, you can end up making some pretty stupid decisions. So, while you’re casually dating,

stay sober. You’ll thank yourself later if you do.