Sex and the Newly Divorced

5. Epididymitis. Inflammation of the epididymitis, a tube system above the testicles where sperm are stored. It is usually due to the presence of Chlamydia or Gonorrhoea. Symptoms will present themselves in the form of swollen and painful testicles and scrotum. The best way of preventing it is to use condoms during sex.

6. Genital herpes. The virus usually affects the mouth or genital area. Once the first outbreak of herpes is over, the virus hides in the nerve fibers, where it remains undetected and causes no symptoms. Symptoms of the first infection usually appear one to 26 days after exposure and last two to three weeks.

7. Genital warts. Small fleshy growths which may appear anywhere on a man or woman's genital area. They are caused by HPV. Warts can grow on the genitals, or on different parts of the body, such as the hands. After you have been infected with the genital wart virus, it usually takes between one and three months for warts to appear on your genitals.

8. Gonorrhea. It can infect the cervix, urethra, rectum, anus and throat. Symptoms of infection may show up at anytime between one and 14 days after exposure.

9. Gut Infections. Two of the most common infections are Amoebiasis and Giardiasis. They are bacterial infections and can cause stomach pains.

10. Hepatitis. This causes the liver to become inflamed. There are various types of hepatitis, the most common being hepatitis A, B and C. Hepatitis can be caused by alcohol and some drugs, but usually it is the result of a viral infection.

11. Molluscum. A skin disease. It appears as small bumps on the skin and can last from a couple of weeks to a few years. They are passed on through body contact during sex.

12. Non-Specific Urethritis (NSU). An inflammation of a man's urethra caused by several different types of infection, the most common being Chlamydia. 

13. Scabies. Caused by a parasitic mite that can get under the skin and cause itching. The mites cannot be seen. This can start between two to six weeks after infection.

14. Syphilis.  It is usually sexually transmitted, but may also be passed from an infected mother to her unborn child. The symptoms are the same in men and women.

15. Thrush. A yeast which lives on the skin and is normally kept in check by harmless bacteria. If it multiplies, it can cause itching, swelling and other symptoms in men and women. Thrush can be passed on when having sex with someone who is infected, but also if you wear too tight nylon or lycra clothes or by certain medications.

16. Trichomonas Vaginosis. Caused by a parasite that is found in women's vagina's and men's urethra's. Often, there are not any symptoms. If symptoms are present, they can include pain when urinating and discharge in men and discharge, soreness when having sex and when urinating and inflammation of the vulva in women.


WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT AIDS

Now that you're divorcing and entering the dating world again, you will also have to worry about the problems associated with dating, like the possibility of AIDS. AIDS.org explains important information everyone should know: 

1. AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
2. There is no cure for AIDS, although there are drugs that can slow down the virus.
3. Being HIV-positive is not the same as having AIDS.
4. As HIV progresses, it wears down the immune system.
5. You get infected with HIV and later develop AIDS.
6. Most people get the virus by having sex with an infected person, sharing a needle with an infected person or being infected by mother at birth.
7. It is possible to be infected with HIV through oral sex or in rare cases deep kissing, especially if you have open sores in your mouth or bleeding gums.
8. You might not know if you get infected by HIV.
9. The virus will multiply for a few weeks or even months before your immune system responds. During this time, you won't test positive, but you can infect other people.
10. After the first flu-like symptoms, some people with HIV stay healthy for a decade.  

Krystle Russin is a freelance journalist in Austin, Texas. She has seven years of journalism experience, hosting a PBS show and contributing to print and online publications.