Warning to those who hire: Please be careful

[AquaNYC]

Really?

Do most of us even know whether we have HSV1? And, if you don't know, should you disclose that you "might?"

 

I presume that I have HSV1, since more than 90% of adults over 50 have been exposed to it. I've had cold sores before, but as the link I posted above states, "Oral herpes can be difficult to diagnose. Often confused with many other infections." And, STI testing protocols don't routinely test for HSV1. So, maybe I don't.

 

So, what, exactly, would you like me to say to potential sex partners? "By the way, I might have HSV1, but don't worry you probably do, too?" And then, watch them run? While I'm at it, should I ask them if they've had their flu shots, and whether their tetanus vaccinations are up to date? Or, if they've had a recent tuberculosis test?

 

Adding another data point. I get tested for everything every 3-4 months - view it as a responsibility to myself. I have asked my doctor to include testing for HSV1 - she won't do it - says majority of people carry the virus, the test is not sensitive enough to make a 100% accurate prediction, and especially if you show no symptons and the test comes back negative, that still does not mean you might not have the virus. I asked another clinic the same and got a similar response. Also, regarding HPV - also asked to be tested and get vaccine. Doctor also did not recommend test and she wouldn't give me the vaccine since I am over 30 yrs old. She said it wouldn't make any difference and won't have any effect at my age (48). Just some other data points to offer. Not countering/arguing any other person's perspective.

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

Also, regarding HPV - also asked to be tested and get vaccine

 

There's currently no CDC approved test for HPV in men

 

https://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/stdfact-hpv-and-men.htm

 

You can get the vaccine, with it being best before age 32. I'd still chance it and get it no matter what age you are, especially if you can get an insurance company to cover the cost.

[rvwnsd]

I agree! And, how many of our uninsured friends won't be able to obtain it because the AHA may finally fall to the self serving Republicans? Augh.`

 

A few points:

• It is the "ACA" (Affordable Care Act) not "AHA" that would be repealed and replaced by the "AHCA" (American Healthcare Act)
  
• Irrespective of the ACA, Gilead (manufacturer of Truvada) offers various assistance plans for Truvada used as PrEP
  
• Most drug manufacturers offer assistance programs for HIV meds that are used for the treatment of HIV and not as PrEP; Even manufacturers of drugs such as Advair (Asthma and COPD) now offer assistance programs
  

[WANTAMASSAGE]

A few points:

• It is the "ACA" (Affordable Care Act) not "AHA" that would be repealed and replaced by the "AHCA" (American Healthcare Act)
  
• Irrespective of the ACA, Gilead (manufacturer of Truvada) offers various assistance plans for Truvada used as PrEP
  
• Most drug manufacturers offer assistance programs for HIV meds that are used for the treatment of HIV and not as PrEP; Even manufacturers of drugs such as Advair (Asthma and COPD) now offer assistance programs
  

Thanks for the correction: It was a night of 'too much caffeine from tea at dinner' and my brain was not functioning; couldn't remember the name of the Affordable Care Act. Augh...I quote that all the time. Lol. Augh. Brain farts.

[pubic_assistance]

In Feb I heard Bill Clinton talk about how many unidentified viruses there are, once regional now increasingly spread as a consequence of international travel. So there probably are Heps Non-A-B-C that someday will be a Hep E through Z. The Clinton Foundation has prioritized research and diagnosis according to Bill.

 

Bill rambled for 45 minutes btw, an unprepared garrulous sage on the stage. The nugget above was one of the few facts in the fog of folksy rhetoric. In stark contrast to Joe Biden, same conference, who has laser-like focus on achieving a cure for cancer before he dies. Came across as absolutely genuine and compelling, total connection of head and heart, mission driven in a race with his own mortality. My heart was in my throat as I listened. I digress, and know this is the wrong forum, but geez I wish he were our President.

Bill has been with so many escorts, I can only imagine this would be a personal mission of his.

[samK]

Thanks for the warning. I'm on PReP and get tested for STI's regularly - and have received as many vaccinations as you can get (Hep, HPV, etc). I am vigilant about my PReP schedule - and generally assume that most people are positive and proceed accordingly.

 

I worry a bit on the forum about stigmatizing people who are HIV positive, when so many of my friends and associates (and sex workers I know) are taking their meds and remain undetectable. My take on it is - if you're hiring - and that is a big concern for you - get on PReP. That way, no matter what they are doing, you're covered on your end from an HIV perspective (STI's - and the level of risk of you choose in your activities related to STI's - is a separate matter). As someone relatively new here, I notice a lot of anxiety surrounding escorts and HIV status rather than other STI's... I was around for the plague - so I get it. But - I think it's important to take responsibility for your own sexual health (as much as you can) - and not look to anyone to "disclose" or "not disclose" to you.

 

 

Not sure I would even trust ONLY PREP. From my studies and personal experience on the drug, it is too new to know the long term effect on the body or organs. I had a friend who was beta testing it back some 18 years ago - he past from liver failure - which they suspect was from complications due to aides.

 

Also, PREP says that it helps if you come into contact with a low viral load... yet what is the magic number for each person, as we are all different in size and body chemistry. Hypothetically speaking, what if the viral load is more than the PREP can handle? I have an auto-immune disease that I was born with and not diagnosed until I was 48. As my doctor explained to me, because of this auto-immunity issue (which there are so many a person Could Have without knowing until it flairs up) the bodies ability to work with PREP to fight off that Low Viral Load or Undetectable Amount is completely unknown.

 

Further questions come to mind... but I thought I would share this since surviving the the 80's took both smarts and safety... I feel Safety is still the safest and smartest way to go.

 

I love our community and want everyone to be safe, stay united and strong -xx

[sexymonk]

For prep to be effective, it has to be taken continuously. Also, if prep is started then don’t engage in unsafe sex before 1 week as it takes 1 week for the drug to encapsulate T4 cells. That is why never miss prep pills as the continuity guarantees complete encapsulation of T4 cells. With strangers use protection of all sort! Just don’t rely on prep. It is a shield for accidental exposure and that means don’t expose to everyone thinking it to be body armour protecting you! Also having sti is not problem. Important thing is to be informative, get tested regularly, treated and stick to medicine regime as prescribed by the doctor. The disease getting to superbug status is part due to the fact that people don’t stick to medicine regime. They discontinue the medicines!

[Guest MikeThomas]

Should be in The Lounge

[MikeBiDude]

Should be in The Lounge

And one wonders why @samK felt the need to resurrect a thread that was over two years old?

[rvwnsd]

And one wonders why @samK felt the need to resurrect a thread that was over two years old?

We really ought to save resurrection for Easter.

[gallahadesquire]

We really ought to save resurrection for Easter.

[marylander1940]

Not sure I would even trust ONLY PREP. From my studies and personal experience on the drug, it is too new to know the long term effect on the body or organs. I had a friend who was beta testing it back some 18 years ago - he past from liver failure - which they suspect was from complications due to aides.

 

Also, PREP says that it helps if you come into contact with a low viral load... yet what is the magic number for each person, as we are all different in size and body chemistry. Hypothetically speaking, what if the viral load is more than the PREP can handle? I have an auto-immune disease that I was born with and not diagnosed until I was 48. As my doctor explained to me, because of this auto-immunity issue (which there are so many a person Could Have without knowing until it flairs up) the bodies ability to work with PREP to fight off that Low Viral Load or Undetectable Amount is completely unknown.

 

Further questions come to mind... but I thought I would share this since surviving the the 80's took both smarts and safety... I feel Safety is still the safest and smartest way to go.

 

I love our community and want everyone to be safe, stay united and strong -xx

 

Thank you for the warning. I'm on PrEP too and I occasionally have fun without condoms, something I thought unthinkable a few years ago when BB was an act of irresponsibility.

 

Caveat emptor nothing is 100% guaranteed in life and all medicines work till they don't.

[samK]

And one wonders why @samK felt the need to resurrect a thread that was over two years old?

 

The number #1 and #2 cities with the highest reported new cases of HIV were in my state. Makes me think that resurrecting an old thread might help raise awareness, share information and continue a conversation which could potentially help to reduce that number from growing larger over the next 2 years.

[LivingnLA]

We are seeing historic highs for multiple sexually transmitted infections. Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, and Congenital Syphilis have been going up for years. To make matters worse, treatment resistant strains are becoming more common too.

 

There are far too many people who do not get tested regularly for everything who are engaging in freuquent condomless sexual contact with strangers. All of these infections are easily spread by condomless oral sex, condomless anal sex, and condomless vaginal sex. Men who are infected often have no symptoms which makes it easy for them to spread the infections far and wide. Which is probably why congenital cases are increasing, too many guys having condomless sex and then going home to infect their girlfriends and wives.

 

If you are sexually active, please be responsible. Get tested regularly for everything and don't engage in condomless sex with people you do not actually trust and know are responsible enough to be tested regularly and be honest about their status.

 

https://www.alarms.org/std-statistics/

 

https://ehealthynews.com/2019/10/10/americas-sexually-transmitted-disease-rates-are-out-of-control-msnnow/

Edited October 23, 2019 by LivingnLA