Occupy protesters may be in need of STD testing

The Occupy Wall Street movement, whose members have been camping out across the country to protest various government policies, has brought to mind many of the aspects of the 1960s, including the "free love" mentality of engaging in sometimes risky sexual acts. The New York Post reports that many of these people have now been encouraged to get tested for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

The news source stated that pregnancy tests are a popular item at the camps, suggesting that many of these people are not using condoms.

“My advice for the protesters would be to practice safer sex. It’s a lot cheaper to buy a condom than get treated for an STD,” said Lisa Oldson, M.D., medical director of Chicago-based Analyte Health.

MedPage Today also reported on this topic, and said that STDs are only one of many health concerns surrounding the protesters. There was also a rat infestation in Oakland, California, exposed human feces in Philadelphia and a hypothermia risk during a snowstorm in Denver, Colorado.