Did you know that Valentine’s Day is one of the most sexual days of the year?

Many people have sex for their first time and 6 out of 10 get an sexually transmitted infections (STI) for the first time. If you know 10 people 6 of them will get and STI on Valentine’s Day.

Over the years, many celebrities have opened up about their health issues but few speak out about STI’s. February’s Diabetes Late Nite’s musical inspiration, George Michael made headlines with sordid tales of sex in public places and long-term drug abuse (both behaviors are linked to increasing risk of STI’s). However, he never discussed whether or not he ever contracted a sexually transmitted disease.

Symptoms vary for each STI, but they include sores or blisters on or around the genital area or in the mouth, pain or burning during urination, unusual discharge from the vagina or penis, itching, swelling, pain in or around the vagina or penis, pain in the pelvic area or abdomen (sometimes with fever and chills), or bleeding other than your menstrual period. If you have any of these symptoms, you could have an STI, but they might also not mean anything serious. Talk to your health care provider right away and get checked out to be safe.

The problem is that for most of us rarely even know that we’ve got an STI until the symptoms appear… and then its already too late. For most of STI’s it probably takes several weeks for the symptoms to appear. And if its HIV it can be dormant for months or even years before there is an indication of something wrong.

Keep in mind even without symptoms you can give still give STI to someone else until you show up positive. For example, if you had unprotected sex with someone that has clamydia, and a week later you are tested for it. The test comes up negative. Do you think you cannot give anyone else clamydia? Maybe, maybe not. You didn’t wait the 3 week period it takes to show up positive.

Many STIs are spread through contact with infected body fluids such as blood, vaginal fluids, or semen. They can also be spread through contact with infected skin or mucous membranes, such as sores in the mouth. You may be exposed to infected body fluids and skin through vaginal, anal or oral sex. Anal sex is very risky because it usually causes bleeding. Sharing needles or syringes for drug use, ear piercing, tattooing, etc. can also expose you to infected fluids. Most STIs are only spread through direct sexual contact with an infected person. However, pubic lice and scabies can be spread through close personal contact with an infected person, or with infested clothes, sheets, or towels.

Did you know that sexually transmitted diseases – including chlamydia – may increase your risk of diabetes by 82 per cent?

Additionally, a history of chicken pox, shingles and other viral infections increased the risk of diabetes as much as high cholesterol scientists have revealed.

Diabetes Late Nite inspired by George Michael on Tuesday, February 7, 2017, 6-7 PM, EST. Enjoy our first-ever Valentine’s Day Party featuring Chef Ward Alper aka ‘The Decadent Diabetic’, ‘Rich In Love’ fashion blogger Doris Hobbs, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach, Poet Lorraine Brooks and Mama Rose Marie

Learning to accept yourself for who you are is the most important step to self-love. Stop comparing yourself to others and learn to embrace the person you are.