Poly Discussion July: STIs, Stigma, Awareness, and Prevention

Stigma

Ideally, we would treat STI’s like a cold, they are sucky but overall not a huge deal. When you know the risk, you can choose to not have sex or have sex anyway, just as if you knew a partner had a cold and you made the risk-aware decision to cuddle them regardless knowing you could get the cold as well. Most STIs are cleared up even faster than the common cold.

Poly Utah released an interesting analogy to Common STIs and their animal counterparts based on how dangerous and common they are. The examples they used were chlamydia being a hamster, they can bite but you will be fine; the herpes virus is the equivalent of a garter snake, it can bite you but it's about as dangerous as a hamster yet it has a really bad rap and many people have a phobia about it, having herpes does not affect your overall health at all unless you are pregnant or immune-compromised; HPV was the equivalent of a feral cat, probably fine but could be dangerous, generally low risk; and HIV was the equivalent of a badger, it's very rare that you would encounter one but if you did it could really eff you up.

Herpes is often over stigmatized because people joke about it so much.

The terminology of using “clean” to mean you do not have any positive STI results is problematic in that it implies anyone who has a positive test result is dirty. Try using positive or negative status instead.

Many people believe they have the right to ask intrusive questions if it has to do with STI statuses. If the body is not yours you don't have the right to know about their status. You can ask but no one is obligated to give you that private information.

STIs are not a punishment for having or enjoying sex!

An STI does not make you a bad person!

Awareness

Getting tested:

Arcw (Aids Resource Center of WI) - free testing (except for HSV) has a location downtown

BESTID clinic - pretty much only for cis men except they will test anyone for HIV, free or donation based. Located on Brady St.

Holton Street Clinic - blood work only, cash only, will test for HSV, fairly cheap like around $40 for full panel testing

Planned Parenthood - generally will not test for HSV unless you are exhibiting symptoms currently, pricing is dependent upon insurance or prices vary case-by-case. Planned parenthood's only routinely test for chlamydia, syphilis, and gonorrhea with an optional test for HIV if you feel high risk or request the test. Multiple locations all over.

“Fluid bonding” can mean a lot of things to different people, but it will ultimately break down to an exchange of fluids, some people include kissing in that exchange

According to the world health organization, 67% of people have HSV-1 (oral herpes, commonly called cold sores or fever blisters), and according to the CDC 17% of people have HSV-2 (genital herpes).

Most people who have HSV-1 are asymptomatic and were infected as children (not sexually in any way).

HIV is rare but very preventable with condoms.

The ultimate STD: children! Affects you for 18 years to life and has the ability to change every aspect of your life, but usually not deadly. Generally preventable with birth control and regular condom use.

Prevention

Condoms (internal FC2 and external)

Dental dams / Saran Wrap

Gloves

Using condoms on toys and using silicone toys that you can boil and sterilize

HSV has suppressive therapy pills, you are a 60% less likely to pass it to a partner when using them

Getting tested, test regularly, keep on getting tested!