alt friday five

[serene]

From the altfriday5:

1. Which STDs do you routinely get tested for?

HIV and whatever else is involved in a "full screen".

2. When was your last test?

A little over a year ago.

3. Have you ever had an STD? Which one(s)?

Yes. HPV.

4. Have you ever had a "scare", where someone had or may have had an STD that might have been transmitted to you? If yes, tell us a bit about it.

Not really. We had a barrier failure, but we were relatively certain we were being overcautious about reinstating barriers, waiting, and getting re-tested. That's just what we do to be safe, but it was a fairly benign situation.

5. How knowledgable are you about STDs and testing for them? Are you happy with your level of knowledge? What were or are your primary sources of information about STDs?

I used to teach HIV awareness at the San Diego AIDS Foundation, and I try to keep up with current knowledge, but I could be better informed. I spend a fair bit of time on the CDC website, and other sources of STD information.

The Questioner says: Don't forget your links!

Comments

[serenejournal.livejournal.com]

Hmm. Not sure it's the norm here, either. I know that it's supposedly normal here to get tested when one is starting a new sexual relationship, but I know a lot of people don't. Me, I started doing regular testing when my friend was dying of AIDS and I was working at the AIDS Foundation, but I continue it as much out of habit and a feeling that it's a good thing than anything else. (In fact, when I started doing it, I wasn't sexually active or a drug user, so it was more symbolic than anything.)

[purpletigron.livejournal.com]

In the UK, it's supposedly _not_ normal to get tested before 'new sex'.

I think it's very wise, however!

The clinic told me, they would telephone before the end of this week, but only if any tests came back positive. I will still chase them up on Friday, to check that they've received all my results!