So, folks. I've done a lot of typing on this forum as of late, airing out my issues, seeking suggestions and what not. And I remember telling all of you that I contracted crabs (pubic lice).

Well, at first I thought I contracted crabs from a sexual partner, but, now I'm not so sure, because I DID start using this new Wash & Fold laundry service down the block from me and I did notice that they didn't properly wash my clothes and I saw dead bugs in my underwear.

Anyway, I went to the health clinic to get tested for ALL sexually transmitted diseases since I was scared out of my mind after getting crabs. The doctors there gave me a rapid HIV test, took two samples of my blood, swabbed my anal cavity, stuck a plastic stick down the opening of my penis and asked me a series of questions.

I called a week later, and here are my results:












For HIV... negative.

For chalmydia... negative.

Gonorrhea... negative.

Syphillis... negative.

Herpes... negative.

Hepatitis... negative.

Anal STDs... negative.

Oral STDs... negative.

I was negative across the board.


I talked to a close friend of mine about my trip to the health clinic. I told him I contracted crabs (which can be cured over-the-counter and goes away after a week never to come back). I asked him what he thought of me. He said he didn't think of me any differently. I always take stock in what other people think of me (especially friends and family) and I was so happy that he didn't view me as this dirty person.

Getting crabs WAS DEFINITELY a Wake-Up Call for me. While going through the Lice shampoo treatment and using the hydrocortozone cream I thought about all the times I put myself at risk for disease sexually -- by sleeping with random partners, not using protection regularly, not using condoms for oral sex, not communicating with my partners or knowing their sexual/drug histories. I was setting myself up to get HIV or even more serious STDs.

I am glad my results came back all negative. It gives me the chance to think more rationally about future partners and sexual circumstances in the future. I know now that if I want to have sex with someone it has to be someone I'm into and care about. Also, I'm not going to give up my body to a total stranger -- I have to get to know you.

I think about my mother. She is a healthy woman in a 30+ year marriage to my father. I should treat myself with more respect and not just have sex so dangerously. As a person in my 20s, I will have that temptation, but I will DEFINITELY use condoms for oral and anal sex. If the guy is not keen on me using condoms then I WILL NOT participate in the sex act. It's very taboo for gay men to use condoms in a dating situation or a boyfriend type relationship, but it's my life that's on the line.

IT IS A BRAND NEW DAY.

I'm pleased all the tests came back clear, well done for going

shame there is still stigma around STI's

p0pRocks said:

Thanks, p0pRocks! I appreciate that.

I've booked an appointment to be tested for all sexually STD/STI's. I go next Thursday. i have never been tested before and decided to before i get serious in a new relationship. i'm pretty nervous about going.

Does any of it hurt? The plastic stick down the end of the penis sounds painful. is it?

how soon do you have to wait for results?

Any advice would be appreciated
[Edited 3/26/05 8:18am]

PRNelson said:

Congrats on GOING: that's the first step.

I do this pretty regularly since I'm sexually active. I've been tested for HIV and STDs 5 times in the last 4 years.



Well, none of it is painful. I'm used to getting shots, so them taking blood from my arm didn't send me into shock. It's rather painless. The plastic stick down the end of my penis WAS A SHOCK since that's the first time I ever did it and the doctor did it without telling me what he was going to do, but you get over the shock.

When I took my HIV test, they didn't even draw blood, they did something called OraSure where I put a stick in my mouth and ran it across the back of my gums. It was over 99% accurate and you get your results in 20 minutes!



HIV/STD testing methods get more advanced year after year. For STD testing you still have to wait 7 days, but it's not as stressful as waiting for HIV test results. Nowadays in the U.S. (in major metropolitian cities -- don't know about small towns) you can get Rapid HIV testing and you can know your results in 20 minutes.

I remember just 2 years ago (The Dark Ages - LOL) when you still had to wait a full WEEK to get your results -- that is simply agonizing. Nowadays, you can find clinics that do HIV testing and results in less than 45 minutes (and it's FREE). STDs you still have to wait a week, but I don't really mind waiting a week. HIV/AIDS is the BIG one.



If you have any more questions let me know.