LETTER OF THE
WEEK
Sexually
Active Couple Wants
To Avoid Sexual Souvenirs
Dear
Harlan,
My
significant other and I have started a sexual relationship
and are both concerned about the possibility of transmitting
an STD or other infection that neither of us knows we have.
Neither of us has had sex — unprotected or otherwise — in
three years or so. Also, neither of us has any symptoms
of an STD or other disease. What test or tests are available
to us that will prove conclusively that we are in no danger
of infecting one another so long as we do not have unprotected
sex outside our relationship?
Active
Again
Dear
Active Again,
I understand
your concern — outbreaks of chlamydia are being reported
on some U.S. college campuses across the country. The (U.K.)
Times reports that 1 in 10 British adults has chlamydia.
The stats in the U.S. report that roughly 1 in 4 college-age
students has herpes and 1 in 5 has human papillomavirus
(the virus that causes genital warts). The problem with
testing for sexually transmitted infection is that not every
STI can always be diagnosed. For example, HIV tests can't
always be detected until HIV antibodies appear, and that
can take three months or longer from the date of infection.
Yes, there are tests for chlamydia, HIV, HPV, hepatitis-B
and herpes, but with each test there are variables that
can affect the outcome. Some tests are more reliable than
others. And that's why you need a doctor to guide you. In
fact, EVERYONE who is sexually active NEEDS a doctor to
consult. You need someone you can talk to should you experience
pain while urinating, discharge, bumps, sores, aches, pains,
odors or anything out of the ordinary in private places.
Sexually active women need an annual (or semi-annual) gynecological
exam and pap. Sexually active men need to get examined and
tested, too. And yes, you can be faithful and a sexual souvenir
from the past can pop up. For specific questions, talk to
a medical professional and contact the ASHA STI hotline
by calling 919-361-8488 (9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST, Monday through
Friday). Also, visit the ASHA Web site at www.ashastd.org.
________
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