I walk into my doctor’s office. There are lots of little kids with colds, and the office smells like bleach. The receptionist smiles as she looks up my name. Her name is Jill. I’ve gone to this office since I was born, and she has known me just as long. I feel like she knows why I’m here.  I feel the color rise to my cheeks as she tells me to have a seat. My mom sits down next to me and begins reading a parenting magazine. Fear sinks in. Could it just be the flu or could I really have a sexually transmitted disease (STD)—just from kissing?

I hear my name called, and I walk to examination room 2—the room with a space theme, where rockets and planets cover the walls. Here? I think. This is where I have to tell my doctor that I think I need to be tested for STDs?

Just as my doctor walks in, I say, “Hey, Mom, would you mind waiting outside? I just want to talk to him.” Thankfully, my mom agrees. I take a few deep breaths. I tell the doctor what my symptoms are and why I am so freaked out about getting an STD.

I wish I could tell you what he said to me, word for word, but I was so nervous, I forgot everything he said the minute I walked out. There are so many questions that I asked and should have asked. And I think it is an important conversation to have, so I decided to ask Dr. LeighAnn Frattarelli, a gynecologist—a doctor who specializes in women’s reproductive health—about what’s important when it comes to talking to your doctor. (Check out her responses to my questions to the right.)

In the end, I didn’t have an STD. I had been studying STDs and got nervous that I might have contracted one from kissing. I had flu-like symptoms and was afraid that it was more than just the flu, because some STDs have symptoms that are similar to the flu.

But I found out that kissing is pretty safe. Herpes is the disease most commonly spread through kissing and is generally spread when one person has an open sore on the mouth or lips and then kisses another person. It’s possible, but less likely, to spread herpes even if your partner doesn’t have an open sore. If you have an open sore, you should definitely keep your lips to yourself until it clears up. And keep in mind that if you’re going to do more than kiss, like have oral, vaginal or anal sex, make sure you use condoms and Sheer Glyde Dams.

I know that I most likely jumped the gun thinking I had an STD, but the experience forced me to be open and honest about what’s really going on. When it comes to talking to your doctor, stick with honesty. That way, you’re more likely to get the treatment you need.

Need to find a doctor? Call Planned Parenthood at 1-800-230-PLAN (7526) to find a clinic near you or go to their Web site at www.ppfa.org and enter your zip code in the “Find a Health Center” window.