Unzipped has just learned that Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath end every tour the same way. Do they enjoy a feast of bats? Drink the blood of virgins? Maybe. But that’s not news. Ozzy writes in Britain’s Sunday Times Magazine that he and his bandmates end every tour with a visit to an STD clinic for testing and treatment. A life of rock and roll has health consequences, but we have to say that we’re sincerely heartened by this story. And we’re sure that Sharon feels the same.
1 in 5 of the more than 1 million Americans infected with HIV don’t know it, according to the CDC. With statistics as alarming as that, why don’t we make HIV testing part of our annual health routine? It’s a good question and is something that is hotly debated in the public health sector. What do you believe? Do you believe that HIV testing should be treated just like routine screening for any other disease and should be included in regular check-ups? Or, do you think HIV testing is different from screening for other diseases and should require special permissions from the patient before performing the test?
Weigh the facts. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, in 2006 only 21% of those surveyed said they’ve been tested for HIV in the last 12 months. And of those 21%, only half asked to be tested. In 2006, the CDC released new U.S. guidelines recommending routine HIV screening of all adults in health care settings. The national trend is moving toward eliminating any barriers to HIV testing so more people can be diagnosed earlier. Earlier diagnosis yields better prognosis. With early detection, there are fewer hospitalizations and better quality of life. Also, early diagnosis yields fewer secondary HIV transmissions — prevents spreading to others.
The CDC recommendation is only a recommendation and not a requirement. Universal HIV testing is not yet part of the American medical culture. We, as individuals, have to speak up and take control of our sexual health. That’s why we’re providing a free HIV test with every 8 Test Panel from June 27 thru July 3. Tell your loved ones, your friends, and everyone else you care about. And if you have any questions, as always, give us a call. We’re here to help.
Gossip blogs lit up this week with talk about the reality show “Jersey Shore”, quoting the show’s creator about the STD status of the cast. In a round-table discussion of reality show, Sally Ann Salsano was quoted to say, “We hand [Valtrex] out like M&Ms! ‘Hey kids, it’s time for Valtrex!’ It’s like a herpes nest. They’re all in there mixing it up.” Herpes nest? While it’s not difficult to imagine the fist-pumping, hard-partying cast with names like Snooki, The Situation, and J-WOWW behaving irresponsibly, we’re not thrilled with the stigma surrounding herpes that continues to get played out in the media. Here are some facts:
The only way to know if you have genital herpes or any other STD is to get tested. The continual negative messaging around sexual health and stigmatizing herpes doesn’t help. After the show’s creator blasted about “herpes nests”, the cast felt the need to tell the press that they don’t have herpes. Your sexual health is private. Know your STD status. Share this private information with your partners. No need to alert the media. That’s the Situation.
You are currently browsing the Unzipped: A Sexual Health Blog blog archives for June, 2010.
Get the Unzipped RSS feed
