Different types of sexual activity carry different kinds of risks. Knowing your risk level can help you determine how often you should be checked for STDs. You can decide whether you are at high, moderate, or low risk (and thus how often you should be checked) based primarily on the number of partners you have had and the number of partners your partner has had. For additional pointers, see the box on checkups.

Where to Go For Help

If you suspect you have a sexually transmitted disease, or you've recently been told by a sex partner that he has been diagnosed with one, you'll want to seek medical attention as soon as possible. There are a number of different options.

• Schools and universities generally provide care to enrolled students at the school or campus clinic for free, or, at reasonable rates. The clinic may or may not offer comprehensive care, including testing, counseling, and education.

• Hospital clinics sometimes offer STD screening and treatment. Costs and services will vary by hospital.

• Community clinics offer free or low-cost health services. They may be non-profit organizations, such as Planned Parenthood affiliates, or be related to the state or county health department. Rates are sometimes on a sliding scale depending on income. Some community clinics may not offer comprehensive care.

• State clinics treat patients regardless of their ability to pay. The state health department's STD clinic is most likely to offer comprehensive services because it is mandated by the federal government to control STDs in the state. The state public health department can be a wealth of information about services in your area if you are too far away to attend the state clinic.

• Private doctors vary in their interest and knowledge of STDs and might not offer comprehensive care. However, if you have an ongoing relationship with an ob-gyn who knows your history, or you can get a referral, this can be a good option, although it is also probably the most expensive.

The level of privacy and confidentiality can vary by state due to different reporting laws, and even by clinic and doctor. Your best bet is to ask your doctor or nurse about their accommodations for keeping information private. Ask these questions:

1. What precautions do you take to ensure that no one can find out why I was here?
2. What will be done with my records?
3. Do I have a right to keep my records from being sent to others, such as future health care providers or insurance companies?