A person can have an STI transmitted to them from items such as needles from body piercings and tattoos, or injecting drugs into the system. If a person contracts an STI from injection it's most likely from sharing needles with an infected person. .
Blood transfusions during surgeries or in emergencies when there's a large loss of blood can also give a person an STI if a doctor gives the patient infected blood. It's vital to wear a condom when having any kind of sex because they are one of the only birth control methods which prevents transmission of STIs. When giving oral sex, although it's less risky, there's still a chance of transmitting an STI to your partner. There are dental dams which are thin, square pieces of rubber made with latex or silicone that prevent skin to skin contact while giving oral sex. Even young age has a part in a person's risk of contracting a sexually transmitted infection; the Mayo Clinic staff describes why, "In adolescent girls, the immature cervix is made up of constantly changing cells. These unstable cells make the adolescent female cervix more vulnerable to certain sexually transmitted organisms" (Mayo, "Risk"). Of the new cases of STIs every year, half occur in patients aged 15 to 24 years of age (Wasik). A person can take control and avoid sexually transmitted infections in quite a few ways. The most effective way to avoid STIs is to abstain from sex completely. If someone isn't coming in sexual contact with anyone else then there's no way to contract an STI. .
Abstinence isn't for everyone. For the people who are sexually active, they should get tested and know what their own status is, whether they have an STI or not. It's important to communicate with a prospective partner prior to sexual intercourse about participating in safe sex and potentially both getting tested before any serious sexual contact begins. Sexual partners can always lie about having an STI, or even not know they have one, that's why it is beneficial to both get tested.
