Quote:
Originally Posted by Serpentine Leaf
Concerns about STIs are very well-founded, because yes, they are on the rise and some people have become complacent about HIV because of advances in anti-retrovirus drugs. But that concern, just like any other, is itself a concern if it inhibits us from living our best lives. A concern for healthy eating and working out is a good thing, but it can become pathological if it's taken to the extreme of counting every calorie and every nutrient, constantly testing your blood levels, and exercising to the point of self-harm.
It's always wise to seek the advice of experts when you are unsure and are getting conflicting information. It's true that many doctors either don't have time or simply don't care (I've had a lot of bad experiences with doctors) but there are some who will answer your questions, especially about something this important. There are also RNs, NPs, and PAs who can answer these questions, and I've received much more detailed information from them than from DOs and especially MDs.
Considering your area, Lundi, there must be clinics on nearly every street corner that do testing and offer information. Someone there might be able to give you accurate info.
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That is true. I remember when I was younger, like 11 or 12, I was paranoid that if I went to a restaurant where the chef had AIDS, that s/he would accidentally cut his or her fingers whilst cooking, and the fresh blood would fall onto my food. I often wondered if red-coloured food, like borscht, tomato soup, marinara sauce, etc. might have the blood of a chef that had AIDS. Of course all of this is a bit insane and unlikely, but my OCD about AIDS was pretty high back then. I think that the fact that one can never get cured fuelled my paranoia.
Again, I am not sure how I got so confused with the saliva and AIDS thing. Something must have been misinterpreted as some point in my childhood. For years, I thought that if I made out with a girl, that I was putting myself at risk of AIDS. I was told though that bleeding gums for example would transmit the virus via blood. So I thought, well if I made out with a girl, that I better make sure that we both did not have bleeding gums. Not anything to worry about since I did not have an opportunity anyway…
There probably are a lot of clinics. No other cities in the Western world have been as ravaged as much by AIDS than San Francisco. My mother definitely remembers the 1980s and how the disease was all over the news. And of course, my cousin with AIDS.
I remember actually seeing news footage from the early to mid 1980s on AIDS. I think that what I might have done wrong is that I took those news reports as fact, when back then they probably did not know enough about the disease.
I always worry sometimes about stuff like condoms slipping or breaking. But I have no girlfriend yet, so it is not like this is pertinent right now.