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Frequently Asked Questions

Below are frequently asked questions that were asked from teens just like you. Please refer to this page periodically; it is updated when new questions arise!

Can a boy get a girl pregnant if he has not had a wet dream?

Yes. A boy can get a girl pregnant whenever he is able to have an ejaculation. Even if a boy has never had a wet dream, his testicles may be producing sperm.

Can Vaseline prevent pregnancy?

No. Vaseline does not contain anything to kill sperm, so it is not a contraceptive. Also, Vaseline collects bacteria, is thick and greasy, and is hard to wash off.

How do I know if my partner is infected?

The simple answer is that you may not know unless your partner knows and tells you or gets tested and shows you the results.

Where do I go to get tested?

Your local health department, community clinic, private doctor or Planned Parenthood are all good locations to check out for STD testing. Look at our Resource page for locations near you!

How do I get tested for an STD?

There are different tests for each of the different STDs. Some STDs are hard to test for if you do not have any symptoms. Some STDs can be identified through a simple blood test or a urine test; others can be detected only through culturing body fluid from the penis, vagina or open sore on the body.

Can I get an STD from oral sex?

Yes. During oral sex, there is skin-to-skin contact and bodily fluid exchange, so it is important to use barrier methods such as unlubricated condoms or dental dams to protect you during oral sex.

Can you get an STD from a public restroom?

This is not very likely. Most STDs are only transmitted during sexual contact, either by skin-to-skin contact or through body fluid exchange.

I’m a teenager; I’m not at risk for getting an STD, right?

Wrong. Young people ages 15 to 24 account for nearly half of all new cases of STD each year. There are other STDs out there besides HIV, and they are on the rise among teens. These include chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes and human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes genital warts and can lead to cervical cancer.

Should a student with HIV be allowed in school?

Yes. A student living with HIV or AIDS poses no risk to other students. However, there may be times when the person might not be able to attend school because of illness.

What if someone with HIV bites me? Will I get AIDS?

It’s rare, but in 1997, someone in the United States became infected from a bite by an HIV-infected person. The potential for transmission exists if the skin is broken and blood is exchanged.

Can I get HIV from someone’s saliva?

There are no documented cases of saliva transmitting HIV. While there is a theoretical possibility of spreading HIV by saliva, research suggests that it is highly unlikely.

Does AIDS affect people of all races?

Yes. Anyone, regardless of race, can acquire HIV if that individual participates in risky sexual or needle-sharing behaviors with an infected person.

Are Hispanics and African Americans more likely to develop AIDS than other ethnic groups?

Although HIV infection affects us all, the number of AIDS cases among Hispanics and African Americans is proportionately higher than that of the general population. The reasons for this difference are linked to socioeconomic factors (e.g., level of education, income, access to health care, etc.) and not to racial factors.

What causes AIDS?

AIDS is the end result of an infection caused by a virus called human immunodeficiency virus.

Yes. Anyone, regardless of race, can get HIV if that person engages in risky sexual behavior or sharing needles with an infected person.

Is there a vaccine for HIV?

No. Scientists are working to develop a vaccine, but a solution appears to be many years away.

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1240 N. Highland Ave.
Aurora, IL 60506
630-208-3801
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