STD Updates

"Human papillomavirus (pap-ah-LO-mah-VYE-rus) (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted virus in the United States. At least 50% of sexually active people will have genital HPV at some time in their lives." Center for Disease Control

HPV VIRUS LINKED TO RISE IN HEAD AND NECK CANCER: CLICK HERE

I would think this falls in to the "Wow! I did not know that!" category. For years many people have believed that engaging in oral sex was a safer interaction than actual intercourse, and many have chosen NOT to use barrier protection when engaging in oral sex. Listen up, people.

While we are at it...


Gonorrhea showing signs of becoming a Super Bug, resistant to antibiotics CLICK HERE.

"Instances of gonorrhea being resistant to multiple drugs -- the definition of a "superbug" -- have started to appear in Japan, where health authorities had decided to up the dose to treat the disease, but stick with the same antibiotic, she said."

So, going out on a limb here, I am going to say that I have had to deal with my feelings about safe sex a number of times in the past years. In some cases, I have been considered "over emotional" about breaches of safe sex agreements. Some of my most painful experiences in the last few years have centered around people not advising me of other partner's positive test results for WEEKS or MONTHS (then telling me in an email, for example...gah), or deciding to blatantly disregard my feelings about our agreements concerning adhering to safe sex practices with others.

It is a tough line to hold, to express, but, dammit, it is IMPORTANT. Playing fast and loose with your sexuality may seem like "fun", and yes, it is uncomfortable to discuss your sexual history, but if you are letting someone into or on your body, it is a conversation that needs to happen, and it should happen with a piece of paper in your hand.

6 months. That is the commonly held amount of time to wait for an STD to show on an antibody test. Smears and blood tests which indicate bacterial infections are available earlier, and some STD's like chlamydia HAVE NO SYMPTOMS. You can have them for years and NEVER KNOW.

So, now you know. Cover it up, people. Seriously.

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