I was talking to my best friend the other day, and she admitted something to me. That about a year ago, a guy she dated for a about a month gave her herpes. The shocking part was that he had an outbreak the first time they got naked and, when she asked about it, he said that it’s not a disease — that his penis had simply always had those marks on it. She trusted him and, consequently, two weeks later, she had her first outbreak of this incurable disease. When she confronted him, he denied it, but she could see on his face that he was lying. Whether his hormones took over, was too embarrassed to talk about it, or he simply wanted to feel ‘normal’, she’ll never know. At any rate, it was unfortunately too little too late, for her.
It’s not easy to accept having a STD. For those that suffer from them, it’s common to want to ignore the issue. In attempts to feel normal, some simply don’t get tested (too scary!) or knowingly continue to spread the infection or STD through unprotected sex.
Could it be, for that individual’s various personal reasons, the spread of STDs and STIs are not always accidental, but rather, deliberate?
This is not to say that those carrying infection or disease are deliberately trying to harm others. Although there have been cases of very conscious and deliberate STD spreading (apparently some feel that they’ll be more normal if others have the disease as well), this is not the norm in general.
Usually, in an effort to deal with such a serious and anxiety-ridden personal issue, continued unprotected sex is a semi-unconscious reaction. The infected person rationalizes the concern for the other person’s safety away, or simply forces one’s self not to think about it at all. As a result, there are 19 million new cases of STDs each year.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, every year, 1 out of 4 teenagers contract a sexually transmitted disease.
I mean, I get it. Coming to terms with having a STD like herpes or HIV would be so awful that I’d want to just ignore it too. It’s life changing, which is why denial of the condition easily accompanies this reality. Dishonesty runs rampant for those infected. I mean, who would want to risk their friends or colleagues finding out about their secret? Fear of rejection by family and friends is understandable.
They protect their secret because they don’t want to risk seeming unattractive, like they could be damaging to others, or because it has the possibility of making it hard to have a ‘normal’ relationship. The stigma presented by the general public is enough to encourage a carrier to hide this unfortunate truth.
People with STD’s are no different when it comes to wanting a normal life, sexual and otherwise. Most often, they do not have ill-will or a desire to deliberately spread the infection (although some misogynists have admitted to doing exactly that). Again, continued sexual intercourse without disclosure is often an emotional and unconscious reaction to a deep desire to maintain a normal life.
In attempts to feel normal, they continue to have unprotected sex and spread the disease.
Here are a few things you should know:
- Condoms protect against HIV, but not against many other STD’s like herpes and genital warts.
- If your partner has spots or sores — stay away!!
- A blood test can tell you if you have herpes.
- Herpes can be spread even without visible symptoms.
- Always use a condom.
- Look for signs of other diseases that a condom can’t protect against, like herpes.
- Ask your partner if they have a STD before you start making out (once you’re in the thick of it, they’re even less likely to be honest). But don’t trust a person just because they say they’re ‘clean’.
What it boils down to is picking partners who aren’t ‘players’ (the less sexual partners they’ve had, in theory, the lower the risk), and –I hate to say it– opting to masturbate instead of going home with that hot guy from the bar. The less partners you have, the lower your risk. Oh yeah; and do your next partner a favor — get tested!
I don’t care if a man thinks that condoms make them feel less pleasure. That’s just the way it is because HIV and STDs aren’t a joke.
I HATE HOW PEOPLE NOWADAYS ARE NO LONGER RESPONSIBLE OF THEIR ACTIONS. IT’S SICKENING ABOUT HOW PEOPLE BEHAVE — PURE EVIL!?
Whatever their reasons are for spreading it, it’s up to us to make conscious decisions of what is right and wrong in order to prevent the spreading of STD. If you have a new partner, get to know them first and NEVER TRUST YOUR FUTURE IN THE HANDS OF A STRANGER. Meaning, even if they give you all the reasons to be trusted, never fall for the: “I’m sorry, but I don’t use condoms. They don’t feel right/they don’t fit me right.” Protect yourself because it’s your right. NEVER EVER fall for how clean they look or how rich they are, because you’ll never know how filthy people’s secrets are until you acquire them. As much as possible, avoid having multiple partners as well.
We are all responsible about our bodies. Whatever consequence we get because of our actions, we’re supposed to own our faults. This includes getting an STD whether it was deliberately given to us or not. ?
There are instances wherein partners who have problems with infidelity can be the cause of spreading of STD. They would come home to their wives as if nothing happened, only to find out they have acquired something.
Why would someone do this to anybody? Maybe they weren’t able to control their sexual urges and couldn’t find a partner with STD.
Deliberately spreading of STD should be considered as a crime. And the one who did it should be punished.
we all have a duty to act in a non-negligent manner. In the case of STDs, this means that infected individuals have a duty not to spread the disease, or conceal it from others.
Even using a condom doesn’t fully prevent these problems. some people feel the need to touch a person’s genitalia without washing their hands after. Also, you still have to touch the condom to take it off. People feel the cheap release of Dopamine, even though you can get the same releases by doing anything else that is entertaining.
Women usually get STD from a cheating husband/boyfriend. Men get STD’s from having multiple unprotected sexual encounters. Sometimes at random. Thanks for the info.