Testing for STD's

[unsub2O17]

Escorts and clients, assuming that you always play safe, do you regularly get tested for STD's including HIV? If so, how often? It seems to me that every 6 months to a year is about right. What do you think?

[josephga]

Every 6 months is about right. However always assume the worst and play safe. Not everyone is honest to some people it's only about $ at any cost...

[tyro]

I keep hearing every 3-4 months.

[doitb4ugo]

I keep hearing every 3-4 months.

 

Already have HIV and get tested for other STDs about every 3-4 months...because I am already having bloodwork done for my HIV, getting the others done just seems right...It may be ironic, but many poz individuals seem more open to finding out about other STDs...There are many guys I've met who are never tested at all....

 

From one who knows better now.

[Keenan]

Every 3-4 months.

 

Keenan

Escorts and clients, assuming that you always play safe, do you regularly get tested for STD's including HIV? If so, how often? It seems to me that every 6 months to a year is about right. What do you think?

[scottspearsxxx]

I get tested every other month. Last test date: June 12, 2012 HIV negative

[Steven_Draker]

Escorts and clients, assuming that you always play safe, do you regularly get tested for STD's including HIV? If so, how often? It seems to me that every 6 months to a year is about right. What do you think?

 

"CDC recommends that everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 be tested for HIV at least once in their lifetime, and those at increased risk—such as gay and bisexual men, injection drug users, or persons with multiple sexual partners—should be tested at least annually"

 

People at high risk I know get usually tested every 3 to 6 months. If someone asks me why do I get tested so often, I just move to the next doctor or the next clinic. I was last tested in May 2012 before the AIDS Life Cycle.

[OneFinger]

...would it be handy to exchange places where we can do this anonymous?

I think that would be very helpful.

 

I know that you can get tested anonymously in Utah. But, now that I'm in Oregon, I have no clue where to get tested.

 

And, what about home tests? Are they accurate, reliable, and affordable?

[unsub2O17]

There are numerous anonymous clinics where I live (No. Calif.) for testing. The rate is 200.00 just for HIV, and more for a full panel. Is there such a thing as a home test?? It would certainly be anonymous and cheaper.

[unsub2O17]

This looks like a good place to me, and it has centers all over the US: stdtestexpress.com. Good luck to everyone!

[Guest Merlin155]

It is proper to be tested annually I would assume!!!

[doitb4ugo]

I received free anonymous testin in Boston at Fenway Health....now I am a patient and love this place....Will be riding in a fundraiser "Harbor to the Bay" bike rode in September to help repay what they did for me and the HIV+ and gay communities. Will hit all of you guys up for a donation later this summer...lol

[Steven_Draker]

The rate is 200.00 just for HIV, and more for a full panel.

 

Every Gay and Lesbian Community Center in this country offers free and anonymous HIV testing. Google to find the one near you.

[SteveEscort]

Every three months

 

The national health service in the UK is free and sexual health clinics are all anonymous (unless you want to supply your details). I go in as a sex worker and although my assigned nurse who I see everytime knows my name etc and what I do they don't keep the details. All I am is an 8 digit reference number. Because they know I am a sex worker I answer a discreet questionnaire each time about how many guys I have seen and what activities have taken place. They give me a free box of 100 condoms to take home with me which lasts me quite a while until I have to return.

 

The UK's health service is pro active in helping working boys and girls whereever they can and keep them safe. If I play fair with them with regular screening, they give me my condoms as a thank you.

[Juan Vancouver]

It seems to me that every _________ is about right. What do you think?

 

With all due respect that is a slightly dangerous question. Without knowing how many partners you have sex with, what kind of partners, how many partners they have had sex with, what sexual acts you have engaged in, etc, it is entirely a moot point how often we think you (or anyone) should be tested. In order to make a meaningful and useful decision it is paramount that you read, inform yourself, ask as many question to un-biased health professionals and come to a conclusion on your own.

 

We are not health professionals and we have absolutely no medical information about you. Coming to this forum with the intention of making this important choice is not a proactive move.

 

I say this in such strong words because I have spoken with many clients who have wanted to do things that I know are unsafe and when I tell them that I won't and why a few have said things like: "So and so at the message centre has said that is safe, when done in this way_____".

 

We often forget how many entirely inexperienced men come to this forum with the dangerous purpose of gathering the information they need to make their decisions.

 

I can gladly tell you about me: Currently I am negative for everything. I only engage in safer sex practices but I am very sexually active and I am versatile. While I don't exchange fluids and always use condoms I test for everything every 2 or 3 months, depending on my travel schedule. In Canada this is free and when they ask me why am I testing so often, I simply say that I am very active.

 

People in clinics will always be grateful that you are doing your job. They will try to make sure you are not testing unnecessarily out of paranoia, but understand that someone who tests responsibly is someone who is doing his part in preventing the spread of disease.

 

Read profusely, compare information, consider the source, do your homework, make an informed decision.

[rickp]

I can tested for HIV as well as other stds once every three months. My doctor runs the test for free.

[raulgmanzo]

Escorts and clients, assuming that you always play safe, do you regularly get tested for STD's including HIV? If so, how often? It seems to me that every 6 months to a year is about right. What do you think?

 

I agree with Juan in that there is no one right answer. It has to depend on the infividual.

 

Personally I tend to go every 3 to 4 months. But more often if I've gotten a call from someone who thinks they may have an STD (and of course I implore them to get tested), or if I feel a symptom coming on that could be an STD. Condom breakage and other things might also warrant a non-scheduled STD test.

 

Places like Howard Brown Memorial Clinic here in Chicago are great and range from free to reasonable costs based on a sliding income scale. But I often go through someplace like tstd.org which while considerably more expensive has fast turnaround and the results start coming in the next day.

 

Plus I can get the results over the phone or online whereas some STD clinics to require you to come in person to get your results. I guess so they can provide counseling in the case that you are HIV+ and make sure you get treatment for whatever you seem to have.

 

I have never had anyone be surprised or question me as to frequency of tests.

 

Something I do find odd is the number of potential clients who ask me about my testing, and when I say I'm negative and get tested regularly and always use condoms they then seem relieved and ask me if I will fuck them bareback. The answer is of course no, I will not bareback even if we both go down to the clinic and get tested together.

 

Raul

http://rentmen.com/raulgmanzo

http://men4rentnow.com/escorts/gay.escort.raulgmanzo.html

http://daddysreviews.com/review/raul_g_chicago

[Steven_Draker]

Unless one practices celibacy and full abstinence from any sexual activity, one can get a STD and not being aware of. Therefore the importance of being tested regularly.

 

What does "Currently I am negative for everything" mean? It's safer to say I play safe only and I'm negative as of {insert last test date}

[orbital sander]

I think that would be very helpful.

 

I know that you can get tested anonymously in Utah. But, now that I'm in Oregon, I have no clue where to get tested.

 

And, what about home tests? Are they accurate, reliable, and affordable?

 

PIVOT

Free rapid HIV & STD screening — for men who have sex with men only

Tuesdays 5:00-8:30pm; Doors Open @ 5pm

Wednesdays 1:00pm – 3:30pm

Free rapid HIV testing only–for men who have sex with men only, Saturdays 5:00-8:30pm

First Come, First Served

209 SW Fourth Ave.

Portland, OR 97204

503.445.7699

 

Also you can get tested at CAP (Cascade Aids Project, I used to volunteer there) but they will hit you up for a donation if you can afford it. Also you can get tested at the Multnomah Health clinic in downtown Portland and pay nothing (but probably have to fill out some forms, but you can remain anonymous).

[unsub2O17]

With all due respect that is a slightly dangerous question. Without knowing how many partners you have sex with, what kind of partners, how many partners they have had sex with, what sexual acts you have engaged in, etc, it is entirely a moot point how often we think you (or anyone) should be tested. In order to make a meaningful and useful decision it is paramount that you read, inform yourself, ask as many question to un-biased health professionals and come to a conclusion on your own.

 

We are not health professionals and we have absolutely no medical information about you. Coming to this forum with the intention of making this important choice is not a proactive move.

 

I say this in such strong words because I have spoken with many clients who have wanted to do things that I know are unsafe and when I tell them that I won't and why a few have said things like: "So and so at the message centre has said that is safe, when done in this way_____".

 

We often forget how many entirely inexperienced men come to this forum with the dangerous purpose of gathering the information they need to make their decisions.

 

I can gladly tell you about me: Currently I am negative for everything. I only engage in safer sex practices but I am very sexually active and I am versatile. While I don't exchange fluids and always use condoms I test for everything every 2 or 3 months, depending on my travel schedule. In Canada this is free and when they ask me why am I testing so often, I simply say that I am very active.

 

People in clinics will always be grateful that you are doing your job. They will try to make sure you are not testing unnecessarily out of paranoia, but understand that someone who tests responsibly is someone who is doing his part in preventing the spread of disease.

 

Read profusely, compare information, consider the source, do your homework, make an informed decision.

 

Juan, I am sorry that it has taken me so long to comment on your post. Your points are excellent. I did not ask this question because I wanted a definitive answer but because I wanted to know what criteria others used and what decisions they have made with that knowledge. For myself, not only am I informed, but I am always very careful and safe. That is why I thought every 6 months was reasonable--for me. Your point about activity level and Steven's point about variety of partners (of both the client and the escort) are really good. So, again for me, I may shorten to every 4 months. Thanks for caring enough to give this input.

[unsub2O17]

I should have done this first, but I finally got around to just asking my doctor. He recommended every 3-4 months if you're active but don't engage in overly risky behavior.

[jjkrkwood]

I should have done this first, but I finally got around to just asking my doctor. He recommended every 3-4 months if you're active but don't engage in overly risky behavior.

 

My doctor knows I am a strictly-oral guy, and told me once a year was Fine....

[raulgmanzo]

My doctor knows I am a strictly-oral guy, and told me once a year was Fine....

 

Being that you are strictly oral I agree that yearly testing is probably adequate as far as HIV.

But depending on how frequently one engages in oral sex more frequent testing for things like Syphilis and Gonnorhea may make sense.

 

The thing with for example Syphilis is that unlike HIV it is fairly readily transmitted by oral or genital contact. Also while most strains of syphilis, gonnorhea, and chlamydia are no big deal and easily curable it becomes more dangerous and difficult to treat in advanced stages. What is called secondary, latent and tertiaty stages of Syphilis. Some of these more serious stages can start as soon as a few months after infection or not show up for decades.

 

Syphilis has been called the great imitator because it can seem like so many other things. As a canker sore, pimple, flu or cold symptoms, rash, etc. Plus left untreated the symptoms often disappear while the infection persists.

 

Then there is also the issue of one passing it on to others and notifying those with whom we may have shared the STD. How many sexual partners would one need to notify? For many of us a year would be a lot of people to call. So frequent testing not only allows one to detect STD earlier and prevent passing it on but it allows one to reasonably limit the number of partners that need to be notified by taking into account the previous test PLUS incubation/or test window period.

[jimboivyo]

keep in mind kids that rapid oral testing has a good deal of false positives/negatives. the only way I go is a blood panel. it's complete and I know everything.

[cooldemo03]

There are numerous anonymous clinics where I live (No. Calif.) for testing. The rate is 200.00 just for HIV, and more for a full panel. Is there such a thing as a home test?? It would certainly be anonymous and cheaper.

 

Wow, thats expensive. In Socal (specifically LA area), there are tons of outlets to get free tests for everything. 200.00 is a total ripoff. You can go to the gay and lesbian center, various free clinics that cater to gay men, various charity stores that offer it, or sometimes just on the street, they have free testing setup in West Hollywood. Hopefully you'll find a better way to test and spend less money.