June 27th is National HIV Testing Day. Since its on a Saturday, many places are doing tests a day early. Today in La Grande, CHD is offering HIV tests for a $5 donation! The tests are available during their normal walk-in hours, 9-11:30 am and 1-3 pm. Annual testing is recommended for everyone who is sexually active that is not in a long-term monogamous relationship.
Of the estimated 1 million people infected with HIV in the US, 25% don't know they are infected! Take control. Take the test.
2 comments:
Post sex STD tests are a strategy--but what do they cause a person to do? Give up sex? Have less sex? Have more sex in order to "get even"?
Testing before sex is a way to keep some sex from happening, and, consequently, prevent an STD. Post sex STD tests don't do that. Pre sex STD tests will save some lives--some people will back out of the possibility of sex with that partner. Others may be way more cautious. Still others might wait for non-HIV STDs to be cured, if available.
http://notb4weknow.blogspot.com
Both post-sex and pre-sex tests are important. As you mention, pre-sex tests can help to prevent the spread of disease which is an important goal.
Post-sex tests are important for early detection and treatment. Relying on pre-sex testing only may leave someone with an undetected infection for long periods of time.
The important issue is to be tested at least annually if you're involved in high risk behaviors. Testing not only can help to prevent the spread of infection, but it also allows for people to get early treatment.
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