STDs A.K.A. Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Okay, this may be a touchy subject for a few ZUers, but I think we're mature enough to discuss this.

Plenty of ZUers have engaged in some kind of sexual intercourse. But I'd like to still leave this thread open to those who've yet to engage in sensual ecstasy, and there is such a thing as getting sexually transmitted diseases without having sexual experiences, primarily needles, so...

For those who've had sexual experiences, how frequently have you gotten tested, and how has the fact that STDs exist and you could get them affected you? What are your thoughts about STDs in general?

And for those who've yet to have any sexual experiences, how has STDs has an affect on you? How often would you get tested?

Just so everyone knows (in case some people don't), the age limit in America for teenagers to get tested without their parents knowing is twelve, which I wish I would have known when I was in high school, because I'd obtained rashes that made me worry. I didn't have as much knowledge on STDs as I wanted to, but I felt I couldn't consult anyone because everyone around me seemed to think I was some antisocial nerd who'd never do anything sexual. I went on the Internet, but I felt like I still didn't know whether I had STDs or if I was alright. I didn't know that people at the age I was in (this was when I was fourteen and fifteen) could get tested without letting any of their associates or parents know, and I refused to ask anyone because then they would have wondered about me, and I felt really ashamed for what I allowed myself to do, and I wanted everyone around me to continue to think that I was just some antisocial nerd.

A couple months ago, I realized that I could have just waltzed into a medical center, get tested, and no one who knew me would ever know unless I actually had STDs. The feeling that you may have STDs while refusing to consult anyone and bottling it all in on the grounds that you feel you have to keep an image of appearing like some innocent child (I'm not religious, btw. It isn't like sex before marriage is a sin to me.) was horrifying for me. During my freshman and sophomore year, I was downright paranoid because of those rashes I had which have since gone away, but I felt that I couldn't get any help.

I've never gotten tested, but I know that I'm clean. I eventually opened up and received information about the affects of STDs. Thank God. I'm glad the legal limit for teenagers to get tested without letting their parents know is at such a young age, since, even if they're young, it's their sex life and no one else should get themselves into it.

I've never gotten tested, but I know that I'm clean.

In psychology we know such sentiments are underestimating the fact that the speaker is no more or less likely than anyone else to suffer negative health effects as consequences of their actions.

Get tested.

Whenever I donate blood, they automatically test me, so I know I'm clean.

Originally Posted by Great White North

In psychology we know such sentiments are underestimating the fact that the speaker is no more or less likely than anyone else to suffer negative health effects as consequences of their actions.

Being asymptomatic for 6 months is grounds for that statement as well, in most cases.

I, for instance, am 100% positive I am clean because I haven't had intercourse in about 18 months .

Being asymptomatic for 6 months is grounds for that statement as well, in most cases.

HIV can be asymptomatic for years.

Originally Posted by Great White North

HIV can be asymptomatic for years.

Good thing the college I'm going to has a place where you can get tested, though I think most colleges do.
Thanks for telling me this. If it isn't apparent, I'm still upset that I received no help at that time ever since I recently discovered the age that teens can get tested without having their parents know.

Originally Posted by Great White North

HIV can be asymptomatic for years.

Hence why I said "in most cases".

Originally Posted by pawptart

Hence why I said "in most cases".

So therefore, you could very well not be clean. Go get tested.

I don't think that'll be necessary.

The chances of an uninfected mother/father giving birth to a daughter who could have contracted HIV from no one but me (who was clean prior to intercourse) is astronomically low. There is no reasonable doubt in my mind that I'm 100% clean.

Yeah, testing is great and all, but if there's no reasonable doubt, then there's no need for a test. Your mileage may vary on the definition of "reasonable".

I'm assuming I'm clean. The Mrs and I have never had any prior with anyone else.

if you have had sex and have been worried then testing = good idea

I don't see why anyone would tell someone to NOT get tested.

That being said, I have never been tested. It is not something I worry about even though I know some STD's/STI's can be asymptomatic.
My first partner told me he was clean so that was that, and i was my second partner's first. I probably will get tested in the future when/if i obtain new sexual partners but right now it is something I am not worried about.

Due to some circumstances and my hypochondriac tendencies, I do get tested. When most people state that they're clean, they're just saying that they haven't had any symptoms since their last encounter. That really doesn't cut it for me because as GreatWhiteNorth mentioned, HIV can be asymptomatic for years. It's not really HIV that you have to worry about though (compared to the more, run-off-the-mill STDs), Chlamydia is often asymptomatic, as is HPV; and while you do get symptoms from Herpes, lots of people dismiss the symptoms as razor bumps or something.

So unless you've worn a condom, I'd suggest that you get tested.

And for those who've yet to have any sexual experiences, how has STDs has an affect on you? How often would you get tested?

It was mandatory to get tested for pretty much everything from common diseases to STDs prior to my spinal surgery two years ago. Obviously everything was negative - I haven't had sex anyway - but it's quite reassuring to know I'm clean, not only STD-wise, but in general. I also found out my blood type. 0+ master race.

Now since then I haven't been tested, but I plan to donate blood (because I have the best blood type, so I need to share it 8D), and the question is not so urgent anyway.

Considering I don't want to have random sex, only with someone I trust and have been with for quite long, I am not so worried about such diseases, but when I'm becoming sexually active, I'll make sure to get everything checked regularly. I think it's a natural thing to do.

Yeah, last year I got chlamydia. It was pretty lame. Luckily it cleared up after 4 or 5 days. I get mandatory testing every six months or so.

I don't think it had any profound effect on me, all I could think was "man, this sucks" and laugh it off.

Originally Posted by Nesi

It was mandatory to get tested for pretty much everything from common diseases to STDs prior to my spinal surgery two years ago. Obviously everything was negative - I haven't had sex anyway - but it's quite reassuring to know I'm clean, not only STD-wise, but in general. I also found out my blood type. 0+ master race.

Now since then I haven't been tested, but I plan to donate blood (because I have the best blood type, so I need to share it 8D), and the question is not so urgent anyway.

Considering I don't want to have random sex, only with someone I trust and have been with for quite long, I am not so worried about such diseases, but when I'm becoming sexually active, I'll make sure to get everything checked regularly. I think it's a natural thing to do.

Oh god, now I'm actually really concerned for your safety, Nesi. Do you realise how rare an 0+ donor is?

As for myself... I've never been tested, and I know I really don't have to (won't go into details about my sex life), but given what GWN says... Imma look into it.

Originally Posted by Iron Man

I thought O-Negative was the rare "Universal Donor" type, and that O-Positive was the most common type there is.

Yeah, O+ is the most common blood type. I'm O+ as well.

(because I have the best blood type, so I need to share it 8D)

(Lucky bastard)


Anyway, with me yea I'm still a virgin but STDs isn't the reason why. But since learning about them in middle school and the beginningof high school admittedly has made me more careful when my first time comes.

So unless you've worn a condom, I'd suggest that you get tested.

Why not get tested even with a condom? Condoms aren't 100% protective either.

Originally Posted by Iron Man

I thought O-Negative was the rare "Universal Donor" type, and that O-Positive was the most common type there is.

Damn.

Yes, but you see, I'm an ass who gets easily confused.