 
 |
STDs 101
 If you're sexually active - you suck, get sucked, or fuck - then you should add regular STD screening to your To-Do list. Getting checked every 3 to 6 months is a good routine for most guys, but every 3 months is even better if your sex life is pretty busy. For all STDs early treatment is the key, so if something's not right with the plumbing, don't wait and get it checked out.
Gonorrhea and Chlamydia:
- If you give or receive head, or fuck as a top or bottom, you can get gonorrhea and/or chlamydia in your dick, your throat, or your ass.
- Symptoms are similar; but it's more common you'll have symptoms for gonorrhea than for chlamydia.
Syphilis:
- Syphilis may or may not have visible symptoms, but it usually starts with a painless sore on the penis or butt. The sore may go away after a few weeks, but the infection does not!
- Untreated syphilis can cause serious damage after a while, so always get checked for it during an STD screening, even if you haven't had symptoms.
HPV/Anal warts:
- You may not be able to see anal warts, but they can still cause problems. HPV, the virus that causes them, can be passed between sex partners.
- Warts can bleed when you're bottoming, increasing the risk for transmitting other STDs.
- Some anal warts can increase the risk for anal cancer, especially for HIV+ guys.
- Guys who bottom should talk with their docs about getting regular anal pap smears; HIV+ bottoms should consider getting anal pap smears every 12 months.
Links
The San Francisco City Clinic website has more information about STD's.
You can use inSPOT to anonymously let a sex partner know that you have an STD and they should get checked out.
GayHealth.com also has a nice collection of facts about STD's if you're looking for more info.
Analcancerinfo - produced by researchers at UCSF, is a website with a lot of up-to-date information about anal cancer and its relationship with HPV, the virus that causes anal warts.
|
|