Despite the wealth of knowledge about sexually transmitted diseases and infections, thanks to modern science, there are still a lot of myths and misinformation out there. Check out some of the common myths and then read the real facts so that you stay safe out there.

You can't get an STD from oral sex.

If you're having unprotected oral sex, transmitting an STD is a distinct possibility. Depending on who's putting what where, you can end up with herpes from one place in the other place, and vice versa.

You can tell if you, or your partner, have an STD.

Not all STDs are visible to the naked eye. Just because you don't see any warts or inflammation, doesn't mean that it's not there. And your partner may not be aware that they have an STD. So get tested frequently, because untreated STDs can cause further health issues.

Herpes are only contagious during an outbreak.

Herpes don't always show, and many people that have them don’t know it. This makes it easy to transmit without knowing it. Get tested and have your partner get tested as well.

Some STDs go away on their own.

STDs need treatment, whether or not you can see them. Some STDs can be cured, some cannot. But they all need treatment. Even chlamydia and gonorrhea. Both infections can be cured, but waiting for them to disappear on their own is not a treatment plan.

You can get STDs from a toilet seat.

STDs and STIs are transmitted through skin-to-skin contact. The toilet seat is not likely to give you an STI, but it is gross to sit on human fluids.

You can get STIs from needles, like piercings and tattoos.

If the needle is infected, then you can contract blood borne diseases, like forms of hepatitis. Before getting pierced or tattooed, make sure that the establishment tosses old needles as they should never be reused.