ASK VANAE FRIDAE
Q. Hey Vanae!
Should i get tested for STD and all that other good stuff even if my boyfriend and i are out first lovers? We both practice monogamy btw =)
-S
A. Really happy to hear that you guys are practicing monogamy! I always think it’s a good idea to get tested for STIs (formerly STDs) and HIV to know you’re starting on clean slate. Along with the STI/HIV tests, during the routine check-up, it’s the other body parts that you should exam too. For the ladies, it’s important to get your breasts examined for any early signs for Breast Cancer & PAP smears (click here to find why it’s important). For the fellas, you should get your prostate exam.
The procedure for all of this doesn’t take long, doesn’t hurt, and doesn’t have too cost much. Plus you have the support of your boyfriend to go with you. Trust me, getting tested with your partner and knowing your status will make two closer.
V’stars, how was your experience getting tested for any of these exams?
It was a little scary because I am a borderline hypochondric but I did it out of respect for her. Its a good thing to do. You only get one body, its good to get check ups. It makes you feel better when you do this, especially when its clean. I felt better. Good looking out Vanae. Love the website.
m
exactly. you’ve only got one body.
thanks for sharing martin!
There is also different ways to get infected with a STD – some can be spread from mother to child and nearly any exposure to bodily fluids. Such as getting herpes from kissing someone who is infected, who is on a outbreak AND the other has cuts in their mouth (even microscopic one’s from using a toothbrush on the gums). Relatively small chance of those conditions, but it isn’t all that uncommon (especially because most people are not aware they are infected).
totally!
=)
V
who can say no to a dalliance, don’t cha wana get tested?
Very good post, Vanae. Getting tested and knowing your status is very important no matter what your past sexual history is; yes, even for virgins.
In many metropolitan areas, there are free and anonymous places to get tested for HIV. In the past it has usually consisted of the Orasure test, which is a swab scraped along the cheek and gums to collect HIV antibodies that may be present in your saliva (keep in mind that the HIV virus itself is rarely contained in your saliva, just the antibodies).
If you want a full workup, your doctor will recommend a blood panel and urine sample. Simple blood tests can detect syphilis, herpes type I and II, and HIV types I and II. The urine test easily screens for gonorrhea and chlamydia. Unfortunately some STIs like HPV cannot be diagnosed from simple blood tests and are usually diagnosed during an outbreak.
It should be known that STIs like HIV and HSV (herpes) have a six month incubation period starting from the time of exposure where a person may be infected, but asymptomatic. During that incubation period the accuracy of any test is significantly diminished and most doctors will not order the test.
Surprisingly, a large percentage of people who get tested anonymously never return to get their results. The waiting period (usually a week or two) is rather nerve wracking regardless of your past history, so it’s always a good idea to have a trusted friend to help you out. Vanae is right, getting tested together will bring you and your partner closer.
Yay for college work study in the health clinic.
good stuff here michael.
im sure you aced your class!
V
I say don’t take ‘being a virgin’as a reason to not ask your partner to get checked out.
Risk is in more then just sex. I mean hell Hep C is most common through tattoos.
So I say get tested, not a big deal. And what better way to starting a sex life than being responsible?
absolutely. thanks for rocking it Locus!
V
but don’t forget that hep c isn’t considered a sexually transmitted virus – hep b is though chao Ha Tho
Ummmm…. I’ve never had sex before, but me and my girlfriend have been talking about it, we’ve done other stuff [no need for details] but I’m far too shy to ask my parents to let me go get tested [i live with my parents] any advice?
i’ve read that 80% of the population has Herpes simplex, mainly oral Herpes, and they are unaware of it.
that number seems too high actually, i think its 80% of the people with Oral Herpes are unaware they have it because they most likey got it as a child and think they just have a cold sore, also because after awhile it can takes years before you break out again when you get it as a child, scarey…
i have a cut in my mouth, and i think its Herpes simplex!!!! but i’m just crazy cuz i read this, and besides i’m sure it was just my snaggle-tooth fangy whatever you call’em tooth rubbing against the inside of my mouth…
i’m scared now!
*sadface* *carita triste*[en espanish]
now i have to go all the way to wallgreens and get a cup to pee in, and a swab to swab with, and a pricky thing to preick with, then send it to the labs pronto!
“i wonder if i can make a pregnancy test think i’m having a baby?” – sugah boogah’s random thought of the day
Hi Vanae,
I like the new picture of you with the new hair style. Makes you look at least 5 years younger (maybe 8-10). Anyway, you know what I mean. Just wanted to share my personal reaction to the prostate exams, and they are quite uncomfortable, but necessary for diagnosing certain conditions (especially cancer). Thanks for all the important work you are doing via your web site, and the personal counseling. I remember our dinner at the Italian restaurant in San Francisco. Still waiting for that appetizer to arrive. All the best. –Bruce
P.S. – Anxiously waiting for the completion of your book. How’s it coming along?
Hey Vanae. I have known a girl since kindergarten (about 11 years)and I have liked her since the 4th grade and I’m going to the 10th grade now. Well she knows I have liked her but I never knew how she felt until recently she told me that she has liked me also for a long time. Well she moved to Runge TX, and she will be there until 11th grade starts. In 7th & 8th grade we went to 2 different schools, then 9th we went to same & now she moved.
My question is should I wait for her to come back or should I just move on and forget about her?