It is time to wake up and smell the infection! An epidemic is on our hands and we only have ourselves to blame. STI's and STD's are making an unfashionable comeback, and just like shoulder pads, ankle warmers and Perez Hilton it's time to put them back in the closet to never be seen again. So why the comeback? Well it's nothing sudden, the rate of infection has been increasing across most common types of diseases and infections (excluding syphilis which has been dropping) but it is fair to say my generation has a lot to do with it. We are the generation that missed out on the "AIDs is death" campaign, we live in a time where most things are easily curable and we are profoundly ignorant at times. It is quite easy to blame the government and catholic education for this slow rise, and I agree that these things are not taught well enough in schools. It's still taboo and that's where we step in. STI's are only scary to catch, not to talk about. So talk! Talk to your friends, new people to the community and strangers even. Talk about them, educate people and made sure they get tested and use protection.
I stress this topic as I have witnessed friends all around me catch things and it is not pretty. I watch as they do stupid things and I constantly lecture them to know better. Now it could be that I surround myself with idiots, at times I do question that but I feel this is more an observation of the actions of a fearless generation that knows no better. Bare backing with strangers and multiple random blow jobs are a sure way to catch something. Let me break a myth here and now. Blow jobs ARE a form of sex and oral sex CAN give you an STI. #shockhorror
So in terms of prevention abstinence is always the unrealistic but 100% sure way to remain clean. Following that is condoms and dental dams. These will generally stop the nasty stuff. Things like genital warts (HPV) and herpes (HSV) are skin contact viruses. They're not curable but are treatable and will go dormant. Before having sex make sure you trust the person and ask if they're are clean. Chances are if you get something the other person was not aware they had it either.
Following prevention is detection. It's simple, go to your local sexual health clinic and get tested. They're judgement free zones and the process is quite simple. You get a throat swab, an anal swab and if you are a female you will get a vaginal swab. You get blood taken and they require a urine sample. In a few days you will get a call, email or an appointment that will brief you on the results. If you are clean well life goes on, if not treatment begins.
Treatment. This should be the biggest deterrent. Lets start with the bad stuff. HIV/AIDs are not curable but are treated with a retrograde medication ($$$), so you will still live a fairly normal life you'll just be forever tied down financially and sexually. All the STIs like Chlamydia and Syphilis are curable. Treatment is just an antibiotic that will make your life revolve around the nearest toilet for a few days. Also depending on the treatment you may get a giant needle in the ass (fun). So it is a painful treatment or lack of treatment just for things that are easily avoidable. Still questioning that condom?
Finally do not be ashamed of catching something. We need to remove the stigma behind STIs/STDs as they're so common chances are you'll catch one in your life time. We need to get talking and put this on the agenda. Especially within the gay community where infection rate is far higher than average. So spread the word not the diseases. Wrap a condom on and avoid those awkward conversations. We are human, sex happens and so do STIs so lets be proud, be smart and put an end to them!
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