The sexual exposure chart is a visual representation of a person's sexual history and exposure to sexually transmitted diseases (STIs). It presents the number of sexual partners a person has had and the average number of sexual partners they have had. The chart is important for understanding the risks associated with certain STIs and for making informed decisions about sexual health.
The chart is divided into degrees of exposure, which represent the number of steps separating each partner. For example, a degree of exposure of 1 indicates that a person has had only one partner, while a degree of exposure of 2 indicates that they have had all of their partners’ partners, including their own. This continues as the degree of exposure increases, reflecting the increasing number of relationships one has had.
When applying the chart to a specific situation, the number of degrees of exposure represents the number of distinct partners a person has had. For example, if a person has had three degrees of exposure, it means they have had three different partners, each with separate contacts.
It is important to note that the chart focuses on the number of partners a person has had, not the number of sexual acts. Additionally, the chart does not consider the rate at which sexual partners are acquired, only the number of separate partnerships one has encountered.
Overall, the sexual exposure chart provides valuable insights into a person's sexual history and the risks associated with certain STIs based on the number of partners one has had.
