Abstinence: Sexual Exposure

First, take a moment to figure out how many sexual partners you have had.

Got it?

Now look at the graph below to find out how many partners you have been exposed to. This chart assumes every person you have sex with has the same number of previous partners that you have.

For example, if you have sex with one person, and your partner has only had sex with you, you have been exposed to a total of one person. However, if you have sex with two people and your partner has also had sex with you and one other person, then you are now exposed to three people. So, in theory, you could receive genital herpes that originally came from your boyfriend's ex-girlfriend. Check out the Sexually Transmitted Disease page to find out what other diseases you could receive.

" When you have sex with someone, you are having sex with everyone they have had sex with for the last ten years, and everyone they and their partners have had sex with for the last ten years."

C. Everette Koop, M.D., Former U.S. Surgeon General