Trick or Treat? If You Pick Up A Trick, Don’t Go Home With Any Lethal Treats BY BRYAN LANGLANDS Now that we're in the second decade of the AIDS crisis, we are entering a period of normalization to this health hazard. It is typical of any new disease that the begin- ning societal reaction is that of disbelief and denial, followed by education and action, which later turns into a period of resignation. Unfortunately, this period of nor- malization has led to unsafe sexual practices. The evidence comes from the rising rate of infection of HIV among individuals who are sexually active. Just bucause a person looks great, sexy, and healthy doesn’t mean they’re not festering inside with any number of illnesses. Not only is HIV on the increase but other sexually transmittable diseases are also on the rise: chlymydia, gonorrhea, hepatitis, syphilis and herpes. These are all very dangerous diseases, and if not treated could lead to serious health problems, and sometimes death. A number of them are undetectable without proper tests, and any indi- vidual can be a carrier without knowledge. Just because a person looks great, sexy, and healthy does in no way mean they are not fes- tering inside with any number of these illnesses. All of these are preventable. Don’t have sex without a condom - EVER. Always perform the safest of safe sex. If you or your chosen sex partner complains that safe sex is boring, then quite frankly you, yourselves, are quite boring. And let me tell you that dying from AIDS or hepatitis is cer- tainly not boring. In fact, it will consume you mentally and physically for the rest of your numbered days. Quite exciting. If tyour partner com- plains that he can not get it up with a condom; or that it’s so much less sensi- tive for him, or that they are too small or too tight, and therefore he refuses to wear a condom, then just laugh in his stupid naive face and show him the door. If the woman that Louise Thornton you are with tells you that you do not need a condom because she’s on birth control, or that she can not enjoy oral sex when there is a prophylactic dam between her and your tongue, then tell her that there will be no delection without protection. Condoms come in various sizes. You can buy large, and even extra large. However, when you buy them make sure you buy condoms that are not lubricat- ed. If you use a lubricant, the only ones to use are water based, and which contain nonoxynol- 9. Nonoxynol-9 helps kill the HIV virus if the condom breaks. If you think you have any transmit- table diseases, stop having sex and go and get a check up. I don’t want to hear how embarrassing it is going to Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinic - be responsible for yourself and your actions. Even if you don’t think you have anything, it is still good to have regular thorough check ups. All the diseases are immedi- ately detectable with a test , with the exception of HIV, which has a window period of 16 weeks before an individual will test positive to HIV antibodies after being exposed to the virus. The clinic I go to is the STD clinic at the Vancouver General Hospital. The people are very nice, professional, and easy to talk to. You can even go to simply talk to them about your activities, or to ask questions about risky prac- tices. All tests are free and confi- dential. The HIV result is back in two weeks, the other test results are returned earlier. Hepatitis-b is preventable with a vaccine (three booster shots - the Ist, the 2nd a month later, and the final one 5 KNOW . YOUR SCUMBAGS THIS ONE PREVENTS AIDS. months later). This vaccine costs money, about $100. However, at the VGH STD clinic, if you submit yourself to the gonorrhea, syphilis, chlymydia and hepatitis—B tests, and the result shows that you are hepatitis-b free, then the clinic will give you the vaccine for free (which is good for the rest of your life). They will not give it to you if you have already been exposed to the hepatitis—B virus, because the If you think you have any transmit- table diseases, stop having sex and go and get a check up. vaccine only prevents you from contracting it if you do not have it - it does nothing for you if you already have it. No, it’s not the most pleasant set of tests I’ve ever endured, but it could save your life and those of others. So go do it. The address and number for the STD Clinic is Vancouver S.T.D. Clinic, 828 West 10th Avenue, tel. 660-6161. If you have any questions or concerns regarding any of your sexual activities, or about being tested, make an appointment. It is no easy thing to have an HIV test. Even after being brave enough to get tested, you have to be braver still to follow through and pick up the results. The people at the STD Clinic are compassion- ate professionals and will discuss your options and any fears you may have. “@& TART SURROUNDS ME NovemBer 1995 / Emny 7 MR PUB, : PUBLIC FIEURE renee, Novenwen 1995 | Bony 7 Trick or Treat? If You Pick Up A Trick, Don’t Go Home With Any Lethal Treats KNOW i ana Lavanos syphilis and herpes. These are all very dangerous diseases, and if not ‘Now that we're in the second treated could lead to serious health decade of the AIDS crisis, we are problems, and sometimes death. A centering a period of normalization number of them are undetectable A to this health hazard. Itis typical without proper tests, and any indi is ue of any new disease thatthe begin- vidual can be a carrier without iz = ning societal reaction is that of knowledge. 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