|
The 411 from My BFF
“Hey Sal, HRU? WAYD? RUA?” This is the line that started
an interesting text conversation the other night at 12:30 a.m. I was sound
asleep and my phone vibrated on my bed stand to tell me that someone had
sent me a text message. Usually, this would not wake me up but for some
reason I was having a restless night. So, I opened my cell phone to see
who it was from and what they wanted.
I responded to the message with a WAYD? UOK and a WU?
I instantly got a text back telling me that there was N2M going on
and he needed a F2F pretty soon and BTW, I think I am showing the signs of
gonorrhea. I replied with a IANADBPOOTV but I would be more than happy to
talk to him and offer him my IMHEIUO. I text him back with some
information about what he should be looking for and that he might want to
get to the std clinic at Public Health or Planned Parenthood for a checkup
and treatment.
It is amazing how much technology has changed the work we do
in the HIV field. We have been able to be in chat rooms talking to guys
about sexual health issues. In one instant, we can link them to websites
that provide basic information or refer them to services that they can
only receive face to face. The downside of this technology is that it
opens the doors for instant access to as much sex as you want it.
Negotiation or communication has been cut back to nothing more than
likes/dislikes, size, status and body type.
My friend is a good example of someone who uses the internet
to look for anonymous sex contacts. I was surprised that he didn’t know
the basic information about what to look for or how to get gonorrhea
treated. STI’s (Sexually Transmitted Infections) are increasing among
gay/bi men and some of them are being untreated. The basic ways in which
you can catch them are:
• Have anal sex without a condom. HIV, Hep B and C,
gonorrhea, Chlamydia syphilis, herpes, anal warts and NSU are some of the
things you can catch.
• Oral sex can put you at risk for gonorrhea, chlamydia,
syphilis and herpes.
• Skin to skin contact can be risky for herpes, warts,
crabs and sometimes syphilis.
• Sharing sex toys (without cleaning) could lead to HIV,
Hep B and C, gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis and anal warts.
The laundry list of STIs and activities may seem a bit
overwhelming and be a downer. As my radical faerie friends would say, you
should have as much fun as you can but you should try to do it safely.
Also, make sure you get informed about things you can catch and how you
catch them. A sexual health checkup at least once a year isn’t a bad
idea either.
I admit I get a kick out of text messaging and have the
calluses on my thumbs to prove it. However, at 12:30 a.m., I ended the
text with my friend by telling him I needed to get back to sleep or I
would be one SOB in the a.m. He thanked me for the 411 and with a PS told
me to get some R&R and he would T@ML!
Sal Seeley is Program Director of CAMPsafe, an HIV/AIDS program
funded through a contract with the Delaware Division of Public Health.
E-mail salvatoreseeley@aol.com.
|
Back to Top of Page 