STD Bingo? Don’t Call Out “G” Spot!

Public university set to host ‘STD Bingo’ as part of ‘condom casino’ night – Campus Reform (blog)

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Daily MailPublic university set to host ‘STD Bingo’ as part of ‘condom casino’ nightCampus Reform (blog)Central Michigan University (CMU) will host a “Condom Casino” on Wednesday night, in which students can gamble to win condoms in games such as “5 …

 

Have you shared your STD testing results with your partner?

This is just an informational request to see how many people are taking part of the rising trend of sharing annual STD testing results with their partner. Please comment back if you have…I won’t post the individual comments, but I will keep track of the results and update you all later with the results!  If you are concerned about the privacy of your testing, be sure to check out many of the private businesses that can offer this service fast, affordably, and most of all confidentially!

Why STD Testing Could Save Your Life

The word “test” makes most people cringe. Images of grammar school, pop quizzes, and the SATs come to mind.Yet I’ve spent this month talking about a different sort of test – one that could help protect your health, and even save your life.April was STD awareness month: a necessary distinction in a world where one in two sexually active people will get a sexually transmitted disease (STD) by the age of 25 — and most won’t even know it. Yet chances are you’ve been putting off getting tested for the very same reasons pop quizzes made you anxious — you’re terrified of the results.Not getting tested for an STD won’t mean you don’t have one — it just means if you have one you won’t know about it. So do yourself and everyone in your life a favor. Don’t let another day go by without getting tested.Before you convince yourself that you’re not at risk, consider the facts. The most recent national estimates suggest that there are approximately 19 million new cases of STIs each year, half of them among 15-24-year-olds, and that 65 million Americans have at least one viral STI, most commonly genital herpes. In New York City, the statistics are even higher. Our AIDS case rate is three times the national average — making New York the epicenter of the epidemic. Our rates of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and herpes are also far above the national average.And when you break these numbers down by race or age, the statistics get even scarier. More than 80% of new HIV cases in 2008 were amongst men and women of color. For women, New York City’s highest rates of chlamydia and gonorrhea occur in teenage girls, age 15-19. Amongst men, boys aged 15-19 have the second highest rates, trumped only by those aged 20-24.To be sure, education is important too. New York City still does not require sex ed to be taught in schools — a fact that’s atrocious when you consider that about one in three young people in grades 9-12 are currently sexually active, and nearly one in five report having had four or more sex partners so far in their lifetime. Only two-thirds of New York City’s sexually active youth report using condoms at all, and one in five girls did not use any birth control the last time they had sex.Still, education doesn’t replace the need for testing. Many STDs are treatable — meaning the earlier they are detected, the earlier you can address them and the less serious they will become. A number of STDs are also symptomless — meaning you could have one right now and not even know it.STD testing is safe and easy. Getting tested protects your health, and can even save your life. You owe it to yourself — get yourself tested.Read the original article by Joan Malin on The Huffington Post.

An Investment We Can All Agree Upon

After pouring through thousands of pages of healthcare reform, I was certain that I would at long last come across a topic that so desperately needed attention.  With nineteen million new cases of STD infections each year in the U.S., I was certain that there were be an entire section, or at least a paragraph, devoted to this critical topic.  After finally coming across it, I nearly wish that I hadn’t.  The entire amount that our government plans on spending on this pandemic is one hundred and fifty million dollars.  At only fifty cents per person, that is an embarrassing amount .If you somehow think that this shouldn’t matter to you, you are wrong.  Over half of these infections hit people between the ages of 15 and 24.  That means that they are your nieces, nephews, cousins, and possibly even your children.  Even if it’s only someone you don’t even know who is infected with an STD, more times than not it’s your tax dollars that will be footing the bill for treatment of  any complications that might arise.STDs cost our healthcare system billions of dollars each year, so a few hundred million isn’t really such a large sum relatively speaking.   With almost $16 billion spent to fight the effects of these diseases, it would only make sense to spend a much larger percentage in order to fight them off before they even happen.  Due to the silent and often deadly nature of these diseases, a proactive approach is an absolute requirement.STD testing, along with a willingness for more open and honest talk regarding STDs, can be a simple and effective way to fight this epidemic.   We need to stop arguing about whether or not sexual education is the right thing to do, and start worrying about what message we want to send.   Unfortunately, sexually active teenagers seem to feel that an unwanted pregnancy is the only downside of having sex.   What they also need to be concerned with are the many different life threatening conditions that STDs bring to play.Whether we like it or not, sex is here to stay and we might as well accept it. The advent of the birth control pill has granted many people a false sense of confidence and has made them feel that they have done enough towards the goal of sexual responsibility .  The truth, however, is that it’s also opened up a Pandora’s box of other issues that are still seldom ever talked about.  If we look at the continent of Europe, we can get a better picture of what possible changes might benefit our nation.   They are much more sexually active, and much more sexually open too.  However, they have also seen their STD rates decrease at a much faster rate than the US.A year ago, there was $400 million in the stimulus bill for STD testing and HIV testing.   However, both Democrats and Republicans somehow lost their nerve and quickly took it out.   We should be united in this effort, as this investment can help trim our nations skyrocketing healthcare costs for us and future generations .  Until then, however, we will continue to pay the price for this and other similar past decisions.

The Rising Tide Of STD Infections

Since the Institute of Medicine produced it’s summary report on STDs while meeting in Washington D.C. in 1997, STDs have often been called “hidden epidemics of enormous health and economic consequences”. As the study indicated, there is a steady reluctance to talk about them openly, just as there is with any type of sexual health issue. As one can imagine, the disastrous results of any issue with enormous consequences can only be magnified when there are so many people who refuse to even acknowledge it as an issue. If efforts to quell the rising tide of STD infections are going to succeed, then a many-sided approach will be necessary, starting with a prefatory understanding of the many issues in play.

Who do STD infections affect? – One reason why STD prevention is not a popular topic is due to the fact that most people think of it as an personal issue. They firmly believe that only those people engaging in risky behaviors or those already infected have a vested interest. What they don’t realize is that there is also an indirect affect upon us as a community, regardless of whether or not we or someone we know is infected. Long-term medical consequences, complications with pregnancies, and medical care for the uninsured are just a few of the ways that all of us are affected by this epidemic.

Why is this considered a “hidden” issue? – As discussed in the opening paragraph, our society, for one reason or another, continues to resist the need to discuss any topics that touch upon sexual health and openness. It can be an uneasy topic to touch upon as a social issue, and it may also be that our biological makeup creates a natural inhibition. However, another reason for its hidden nature is the behavior of STDs themselves.It is common for most STD infections that no symptoms or signs are apparent at all. Chlamydia, for example, can be completely symptom free in half of infected men, and for women that figure can go up to a staggering seventy-five percent. HIV, the virus that can cause AIDS, can lie undetected for years depending upon the strength of one’s immune system, and genital herpes may show up only sporadically for those infected. When there are signs of an STD, far too often those symptoms are the same as many common medical conditions, such as a flu or common cold. It’s for this reason that Syphilis has been called “the great imitator”. In a society that has become used to performing self diagnosis using the internet, it’s easy for those at risk to dissuade themselves from taking any action when they feel that no action is necessary.

What can we do to help? – Successful prevention of STD transmissions will require open dialogue and communication. We need to be open to acknowledging this growing threat to our society, and to not apply any negative stigmas or stereotypes to those seeking help and information. Anyone who is sexually active should make regular STD testing and HIV testing a part of their sexual health plan, and those responsible actions need to be supported by those who may not be active themselves. Instead of frowning upon someone seeking out an STD testing center, we should applaud and support them for helping quell the growth of what surely affects us all. Whether we like it or not, we are all affected by other people’s actions, and in this case, inactions as well.Want to read more from Andrew M. Gibson? You can find him on facebook, or check out his blog at www.stdtestingservices.com. There you can also learn more about std testing and how to find std testing centers.

Will Private Medical Testing Still Be an Option?

Now that Obamacare has become law,privacy advocacy groups are naturally concerned about what this means for patients confidential medical information.  One of the key components of the new legislation is the sharing of valuable medical information through new technologies in order to create a comprehensive database of medical records.  The goals of such a system are admirable:  better care by hospitals, doctors, insurance companies, and pharmacies by being able to have an instant picture of a person’s medical history.  No one can deny that such a system would be a caregiver’s ideal world…if implemented correctly and efficiently.

Unfortunately, very few large scale initiatives by our government have ever been implemented in that fashion, and the scale of this one is unlike anything we have ever seen before.  But even though many of the components of the new health care system are years from being implemented, people are already taking notice and starting to be concerned about who can see their private medical information.

One industry that has already been offering confidential medical testing for the past twenty plus years is the online STD Testing industry.  Started during the rise of HIV and Aids awareness, these companies, staffed with fully trained counselors and medical personnel, began offering confidential and immediate STD testing to the one hundred million sexually active adults in the United States.  Prior to this, the only option an individual had was to go see his or her doctor, or to travel to one of the crowded, understaffed free health clinics.  In each of those scenarios, a detailed record was kept of what activity caused your concern, what type of testing you had done, and what the results were of those tests.  As insurance providers started assembling more data on pre-existing conditions in order to rate potential customers, more and more people were concerned that these “black marks” on their health record would somehow cause their already sky rocketing insurance rates to go up even more, or possibly even exempt them for coverage due to what might be considered”risky behavior”.

Now, individuals can alternatively contact one of the many private testing companies, schedule the test at their convenience, and get their results in as little as one day.  And all of this is done in private, without anything showing up on your permanent health record.  Many industry experts see this trend expanding as more parts of the health care law go into effect, and they are not only talking about STD testing.  General wellness testing and DNA testing can now be obtained and can give valuable insight into a person’s overall health and into any possible issues they might be prone to in their life.  And only you know the tests you chose to take, and the results of each.

How will new Healthcare Regulation affect STD Testing?

With the passage of Healthcare reform, privacy advocacy groups are naturally concerned about the effects upon patients confidential medical information.  One of the tenants of the new law is the sharing of valuable medical information through new technologies in order to create a comprehensive database of medical records.  The goals of such a system are admirable:   better care by hospitals, physicians , insurance companies, and pharmacies by being able to have an instant picture of a person’s medical history.  No one can deny that such a system would be a caregiver’s utopia …if implemented correctly and efficiently.Unfortunately, a small number of the large scale initiatives by our government have ever been implemented in that fashion , and the scale of this one is unlike anything we have ever seen before.  But even though many of the components of the new health care system are years from being implemented, people are already taking notice and starting to be concerned about who can see their private medical information.One industry that has already been offering private medical testing for the past twenty plus years is the online STD Testing industry.  Started during the rise of HIV and Aids awareness, these companies, staffed with fully trained counselors and medical personnel, began offering confidential and immediate STD testing to the one hundred million sexually active adults in the United States.  Prior to this, the only option an individual had was to go see his or her doctor, or to visit one of the crowded, understaffed free health clinics.  In each of those scenarios, a detailed record was kept of what activity caused your concern, what type of testing you had done, and what the results were of those tests.  As insurance providers started gathering more data on pre-existing conditions in order to rate potential customers, more and more people were concerned that these “black marks” on their health record would somehow cause their already sky rocketing insurance rates to go up even more, or possibly even exempt them for coverage due to what might be considered “risky behavior”.Now, individuals can as an alternative contact one of the many private testing companies, schedule the test at their convenience, and get their results in as little as one day.  And all of this is done privately , without anything showing up on your permanent health record.  Many industry experts see this trend expanding as more parts of the health care law go into effect, and they are not only talking about STD testing.  General wellness testing and DNA testing are now being offered and can give valuable insight into a person’s overall health and into any possible issues they might be prone to in their life.  And only you know the tests you chose to take, and the results of each.

You May Not Know You Have Chlamydia until It’s too Late

The CDC figures claim Chlamydia is on the rise in the US. With over a million cases reported each year, the number of people actually infected with the disease is unknown. The disease is often completely asymptomatic. So, if you are having sex, do you and your partner both a favor. Help stop the rise of Chlamydia by undergoing simple STD testing.What is asymptomatic?Asymptomatic simply means you show no signs or symptoms of the infection. This is particularly true with Chlamydia. Many call Chlamydia the “silent” disease. Only about 25% of women with the disease show symptoms and about 50% of men.This is what makes Chlamydia especially dangerous. Because there are no symptoms, you are unaware you have anything wrong with you. Unfortunately, this increases the chances of unknowingly passing the disease on. Chlamydia Testing can be performed to find out if you have the disease. And treatment can start right away if your result is positive.What are symptoms of Chlamydia?If you are showing symptoms, they might be:Women

  • nausea
  • abnormal vaginal discharge
  • lower abdominal pain
  • burning sensation during urination
  • pain with intercourse
  • lower back pain
  • fever
  • -bleeding between periods

Men

  • burning or itching around penis opening
  • penile discharge
  • testicular pain and swelling
  • burning sensation during urination

What are adverse effects of Chlamydia?Chlamydia, left untreated, can cause many serious adverse effects for both women and men.For women, the untreated infection can spread to the reproductive organs and cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). This occurs in 40% of women when their Chlamydial infection is left untreated. What does PID do?PID causes permanent damage to the fallopian tubes, the uterus, and surrounding tissue. Women may experience pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancy, and infertility.If a pregnant woman has Chlamydia, she can pass the disease to her baby during delivery. The baby can be born with conjunctivitis (pink eye), or sometimes pneumonia.For men, complications are rare; but can occur. If the infection spreads to the tube that carries the sperm from the testis (the epididymis), a man can experience fever, pain, and sometimes sterility.To help reduce the rapid rise of Chlamydia, the CDC recommends all sexually active women under 25 receive STD testing once a year for Chlamydia. A once a year test is also recommended for women 25 and over who have risk factors such as a new sex partner or many sex partners. If you are pregnant, you should have Chlamydia testing right away.How is Chlamydia treated?Chlamydia is curable. If you test positive, treatment is inexpensive, easy and safe. One dose of azithromycin or a weeklong dose of doxycycline (2 times a day) is the most commonly prescribed treatments.To evade complications such as PID, the CDC recommends women be retested three to four months after initial treatment. Especially if she is unsure if her sex partner sought treatment.

3 Reasons You Should Consider STD Testing

by Andrew M. GibsonWhy should you consider STD Testing? You can’t look at a person you are having sex with and be 100% certain they aren’t infected with an STD. If you think you are at risk if having a sexually transmitted disease, be smart. Testing will not only improve your sexual health, it will also put your mind at ease. Here are three reasons testing is a good idea.Do you really ever know your partner?Your sexual partner may be an absolute angel, but if your partner has been sexually active with anyone in his/her past, you may be at risk for contracting an STD. Or grimly, you could be unknowingly infected with an STD and expose your partner. Remember, when you have sex with a person, you are in essence having sex with anyone that person has ever been with as well. It is a mind-boggling thought. But true.So what are you supposed to do? Well, first, make sure you use a condom each and every time you have sex. Regular condom use gives a good defense against becoming infected with a disease via sex. But STD testing is the only way to know without a doubt if you have an STD. Ask your partner to be tested too. Then the two of you can relax and be certain you have nothing to be concerned with. And if the test comes back positive, you will be able to seek treatment before the disease gets out of hand.You don’t always show signs of having an STD.This is unquestionably a scary thought. You may be infected with a disease like Herpes, or Chlamydia, and not even know it. Many of these infections show no signs or symptoms in some instances until it is way too late. So if you think you don’t have Chlamydia because you haven’t experienced any burning when you pee, think again. You may just be asymptomatic.Just a little statistic for you. According to the American Social Health Association (ASHA, one out of five people in the US currently have genital herpes. So, mathematically, that’s 20% of the US population. Of that 20% who are already infected, about 9 out of every 10 have no idea. They might think they don’t have herpes because no blisters are present. But no blisters doesn’t necessarily mean you don’t have the herpes virus. If you have had unprotected sex, you are still at risk.If you are asymptomatic, a simple herpes test is the only method to know for sure if you are infected with the herpes simplex virus. Herpes remains a virus that cannot be cured. However it can be managed. Getting tested is a sensible move to prevent you from spreading the virus to others unknowingly.Stop Worrying.Is all this information stressing you out? Well, it’s not really the article so much as it is the not knowing. Maybe you do have an STD; or maybe you don’t. Sometimes looking up symptoms on the internet convinces you that you have the most horrible disease on earth. And that will stress you out even worse.Your sexual health is important. STD testing is a quick, simple solution to all that unnecessary worrying. With one phone call, you will be on the road to having stress-free sex again.