Some young people may be unaware of the potential dangers of oral sex

 

One important sexual health message that doesn't get through to many young adults is that it is still possible to contract a sexually transmitted infection (STI) through oral sex. Avert.org reports that herpes, gonorrhea and syphilis are STIs that can easily be transmitted during oral sex, and yet may people believe that this form of sex is safer.

Recently, Red and Black, the newspaper of the University of Georgia (UGA), reported on how students at the school have a dangerously casual attitude when it comes to oral sex.

A survey conducted by the university's health center found that 67.7 percent of sexually active students have engaged in oral sex, which is higher than the national average. According to Melanie Lucash, president of the Sexual Health Helpers at UGA, many of these young people may not know the risk they take.

"Oral sex is something a lot of people are interested in," said Lucash, quoted by the news source. "Especially if they’re in committed relationships and they want to explore sexuality a bit more. A lot of people don’t understand how STIs can be transmitted through oral sex or if they can be transmitted at all. That’s why they might be looking at the [university's sexual health] website - to see if they need protection."

The news provider also spoke to Clayton Warder, founder of the university’s Oral Health Club, who said that he had never thought about oral sex affecting oral health, but has now reconsidered. Furthermore, Warder told Red and Black that he doesn't think that it's a common practice for young people to wear condoms during oral sex.

These findings suggest that explaining the ways in which oral sex can lead to STIs may be one way to lower the staggering infection rates among people between the ages of 15 and 24.