I would warn them about potential Zika
Any clients ever get through their hobbying activities, and if so what is the community protocol to share information with other hobbyists
there is no need to share. Instead, just get cured before engaging in further activities.
I found this free std clinic when I wanted to get tested. I believe they are paid by government contract for the purpose of preventing outbreaks and protecting the public health. I was completely impressed with the thoroughness of the service and it was free! I went on a weekday afternoon and there was no wait. I was pretty much the only person in the waiting room and was in and out in a little over an hour. I would go back in a heartbeat, especially over a private testing place that charges hundreds of dollars. I initially gave a fake name but they want an ID so be prepared for that. But it hasn't been an issue and they tell you at the start that they are non-judgmental and I believe them. They get all types in there.
Many years ago, I went to the MGH clinic in Chelsea. They or I created an anonymous I'D and the test was done in 10 minutes.
Total confidentiality. They told me to call back in 72 hours and enter my ID# on the phone for the results which were negative.
My concern for testing where you provide an idea would be that if you were found positive they would want to know everyone you had sexual contact with so that they can get in touch with them. I'm not sure that that's the best way to go where the hobbies concern.
Play safe. Have fun. REPEAT
Fortunately all my tests were negative so I don't know if they would want to know all of a person's sexual contacts or not. If you tested positive for HIV maybe they would, for chlamydia maybe not. I don't know. Also, in looking at the website now it says they take all kinds of health insurance. I have health insurance but I think I told them (it was almost a year ago) that I didn't want it to go on my insurance. I don't remember all the details but it never did go on my insurance so that's why I say it was free. They had some way to handle that.
the only time I ever got one (chlamydia) was after a random hookup with a girl I met at a bar in college. Easily detected and easily cured with an AB.
I've said it before, and I'll say it again:
Get yourself inoculated. Hep A and B. HPV. Keep flu shots up to date. Prevent illness.
Use protection - I insist on bare oral, but everything else is covered.
Get tested - I get tested every three months.
I don't hobby so frequently that I would not have any idea where or how I got an STD. I think the responsible and proper thing to do would be to inform the provider(s) I had seen since testing positive.
My own opinion is that this community is very aware of safety, and takes better care and precautions than the population at large. Thus, I feel it is in some ways a bit safer wrt STD transmission. Of course, that statement is based solely upon my own reading, research experiences and those shared by others, so it is anecdotal and should be taken as such.
I don't think the clinic will notify all of your partners. I saw an episode of Op/rah where this guy had been HIV positive for years and none of the ladies that he was with found out. And, he was sleeping with as many people as possible and not telling them a thing about his status. Pretty sure he was trying to get back at women in general because of whoever gave it to him. They did send him to prison for it, Attempt Murder I think was what they charged him with. There was like 12 girls that they were able to locate, who knows how many more existed. But, it was the ladies themselves that found out and got in touch with the other ladies. But, anyways... I kind of went off on a tangent - lol
Like MasterZen said... Definitely get tested every 3 months, use protection, and keep up to date vaccinations, and take are of yourself. Take Vitamin C, and keep your immune system strong. I actually recently heard about a vaccination for HIV that I have been meaning to go and get. I can't think of the name of it off the top of my head.
If you still do happen to text positive for something, I think that you should reach out to as many of your recent partners as possible, discretely of course. At least give them the opportunity to go and get tested right away. Just because you are exposed to something doesn't mean you will necessarily catch it, it all depends on your immune system, how you were exposed, and how strong the virus is in your partners body.
Basically, act like an adult about it we are all taking some measure of risk by doing this. So, just limit your risk and if the unfortunate happens take care of it right away If I came into contact with someone who had an STD, I would definitely want to know.
That's just my .02$.
Like MasterZen said... Definitely get tested every 3 months, use protection, and keep up to date vaccinations, and take are of yourself. Take Vitamin C, and keep your immune system strong. I actually recently heard about a vaccination for HIV that I have been meaning to go and get. I can't think of the name of it off the top of my head.
If you still do happen to text positive for something, I think that you should reach out to as many of your recent partners as possible, discretely of course. At least give them the opportunity to go and get tested right away. Just because you are exposed to something doesn't mean you will necessarily catch it, it all depends on your immune system, how you were exposed, and how strong the virus is in your partners body.
Basically, act like an adult about it we are all taking some measure of risk by doing this. So, just limit your risk and if the unfortunate happens take care of it right away If I came into contact with someone who had an STD, I would definitely want to know.
That's just my .02$.
Everyone is so concerned about HIV in the heterosexual community. The risks are very low from woman to man and if someone is infected and on meds the counts are very ow and very hard to transfer. However the STD ppl are so laxed about in my opinion is Herpes. Just my thoughts .
I agree that people are not worried enough about Herpes, both women and men. I suspect much of it is due to lack of education on the topic. I've actually caught guys trying to sneak condoms off in the dark, or even to break them on purpose - I always want to tell them to Google "asymptomatic shedding" for a little light reading! I myself get tested for everything every 2-3 weeks, and I've thankfully never had a scare; I recommend that providers and clients alike do the same!
I would warn them about potential Zika