The only surefire way to avoid getting an STI is to abstain from sex � vaginal, anal and oral.  While different infections are spread in different ways, skin-to-skin contact of the genitals and swapping fluids from the mouth and genitals are how most STIs spread.

That means touching above the waist and with clothes on is pretty safe. Just about every other kind of close sexual contact carries a risk of getting an STI.

So, if you decide you want to have sex, there are a few things you can do to reduce your chances of getting an infection. First, be selective. The more people you have sex with, the greater your chances of getting an STI. Get to know your partner well before having sex. Talk to your partner about your sexual histories. Get tested for STIs before having sex.

Even if you�re both declared disease-free, still use condoms, every single time you have sex. Partners sometimes cheat, even if you totally trust them. Plus, STI testing isn�t foolproof. You should also use condoms if you have oral sex. Flavored condoms are available in most drugstores. Females should use sheer glyde or dental dams to cover their vulva. These are also available in most drugstores.