I was reading Dr. D's and Desiree's comments on the post about AIDS statistics, and had a little more to say.
I started what has turned out to be a long term relationship just about the time AIDS was rearing it's ugly head. Each time AIDS has come up for discussion over the past 20 years I've shuddered at the thought of being thrown back into the dating pool. It's difficult enough to be swimming there at my age; it's even worse to have to contemplate dating in the age of AIDS.
I can just see meeting a really cool guy; deciding that THIS is one I'd be willing to allow to see me nekkid.....and then having to ask him for a note from his doctor, saying that he's virus free.
Can you imagine that conversation??
HA.....I was just sitting here thinking about asking that question of some of the male bloggers I read, and the range of responses they'd have. Think about the different let-downs I'd get from T-bone, e-the merciless, Acidman, Sgt. Hook, Mad Bull or Dr. D.
T-bone would give me a witty disertation on how he loves the Petite Filet, -e- would have to check his social schedule to see if he could fit me in between the latest blog brawls, Acidman......well....I'm not going there....he'd speak his mind, and it wouldn't be pretty, the Sgt. (who also loves his wife) would feel it was inappropriate for an officer representing the US, and Natty wouldn't let Mad Bull do it (he ALSO loves his wife). Dr. D wouldn't need a note from his doc, I guess.
Back to the subject. I understand just why AIDS is spreading. There's not a person out there who would put themselves through that embarrassment. You'd have to be willing to accept a LOT of rejection. On the other hand, maybe it's not such a bad thing. It would weed out the guys looking for a one night stand. You might actually find keepers that way.
Hm......Yahoo personals: WSF, virus free, seeing WSM, virus free. Interested in music, movies, theater, and hot monkey sex. Those without doctor certification need not apply.
Comments (15)
Interesting post. I think that how the person you liked reacted to this would depend a lot on how you brought this question up.<p>Another consideration is that the doctor certification that one gets is only good up to the time that one gets it. You can do the test and pass, step outside the doctor's office and have sex on the sidewalk outside and get infected, so the only certification you can trust 100% is one done immediately prior to your hopping into bed with someone.<p>Basically, people will have to wait longer and <b>REALLY</b> get to know people before having unprotected sex with them, and in the interim, let "If you aint got no glove, you aint gonna get NO LOVE!!!" be your motto!</p></p>
Posted by Mad Bull | July 21, 2003 10:41 AM
Posted on July 21, 2003 10:41
And remember, you can do the test and pass but still have AIDS, because it takes a period of time to show up in your blood, so we really ought to be talking about two tests, one done sometime after you have met your new love interest, which says that the AIDS has not yet showed up in this persons bloodstream, and then one done about three months later. Passing that final one should indicate that it is likely that your new interest doesn't have AIDS at that time, and as long as both of you are completely faithful to one another, then it should be safe.
So you can see that complete safety requires a high level of stringency. Two tests, not one.
Posted by Mad Bull | July 21, 2003 10:48 AM
Posted on July 21, 2003 10:48
(nodding) Almost makes you want to be celibate..... I agree with you about needing to know the person. You need to know them well enough to be able to discuss the situation, and to know that they won't be offended by your need for reassurance. And....you need to have spent enough time with them to have some idea if their word can be trusted. And even then, you are taking a risk. Fidelity is now a life or death issue.
Posted by Buffy | July 21, 2003 11:14 AM
Posted on July 21, 2003 11:14
Just for the record, I AM virus free and I do like music, movies, and theater. I think I would like hot monkey sex, but am not sure what all that entails (pun intended).
Posted by Sgt Hook | July 21, 2003 12:17 PM
Posted on July 21, 2003 12:17
Think "trapezes", Sarge.
Posted by Buffy | July 21, 2003 3:41 PM
Posted on July 21, 2003 15:41
WOW!
Posted by Sgt Hook | July 21, 2003 5:54 PM
Posted on July 21, 2003 17:54
What Mad Bull said about two tests is correct. There is a time called the "Core Window Period". During this time, it is possible for a person to have contracted the virus and for antibodies to not be detectable in the blood....this is what the tests check for. This period can last as long as six weeks!
We are living in rather unfortunate times, and I am sure that if this virus continues to alude medical science, it is not farfetched for youngsters/adults to start demanding to see the AIDS "Clearance card" of a prospective mate. Naturally, it will require frequent renewal (one can only start to envision that bogus cards will start to be sold on a black market!).
All in all, the adage "Boots up!" (use a condom) holds true, but is by no means foolproof. The only sex that is truly safe, is no sex (which has proven time and time again to fail and be impractical). Failing that, we may all become a group of masturbating autosexuals! OTHERWISE... BE CAREFUL TO WEAR YOUR BOOTS WHEN WALKING IN THE WOODS.......OR YOU MAY JUST GET STUCK BY A PRICKLE!!! Not nice.
Posted by Dr. D. | July 21, 2003 8:14 PM
Posted on July 21, 2003 20:14
Doc...you and Mad Bull have enlightened me. I didnt realize there was an interim period where the virus might be undetectable. I knew that a condom wasn't fail safe, and it doesn't address all forms of sex, although an acquaintance spoke to me about something called a "dental dam." If I understand it correctly, the dental dam is used during oral sex. Still...they are not fail safe.
I'm sure you are right. When we get to the point of regular testing for virus free status, there's bound to be a thriving black market in bogus cards. Some world we live in, eh?
Posted by Buffy | July 21, 2003 8:41 PM
Posted on July 21, 2003 20:41
We get tested annually in the Army, is part of our flight physical.
Posted by Sgt Hook | July 21, 2003 11:24 PM
Posted on July 21, 2003 23:24
Hook, do they do the two tests six weeks apart, or just one? And.....if they find you have the antibodies, what happens? Are you dishonorably discharged? I'd think it would be difficult to maintain the cohesiveness of the unit if the others were afraid of being in contact with you.
Posted by Buffy | July 22, 2003 12:06 AM
Posted on July 22, 2003 00:06
BTW, just to mention, for life insurance purposes, a negative HIV test is only valid for 6 months, if you wish to take out another policy or increase your coverage and six months have passed you have to repeat it!
Posted by Dr. D. | July 22, 2003 8:10 AM
Posted on July 22, 2003 08:10
Dr. D, I've followed your comments, and those from Mad Bull, about the economic situation in Jamaica affecting the moral fibre of the country. I haven't checked worldwide stats for AIDS. Is Jamaica experiencing an increase in numbers infected, too?
Posted by Buffy | July 22, 2003 9:31 AM
Posted on July 22, 2003 09:31
Well, the entire Caribbean is a high risk zone. I think it was said that we are right behind South Africa in terms of AIDS infection or something like that, but maybe the Doc. can give you more accurate info.
Posted by Mad Bull | July 22, 2003 12:55 PM
Posted on July 22, 2003 12:55
We're going to see entire nations wiped out in the next decade. It's been damned near a quarter of a century and we STILL don't have a way to eradicate it despite our technology. I wonder how long the Black Plague lasted before it wore itself out? And will AIDS ever mutate to something less deadly?
Posted by Buffy | July 22, 2003 1:31 PM
Posted on July 22, 2003 13:31
I found this, in case anyone is interested:
Black Death 1347-1351 Western and Central Eurpoean Chronology
"The first outbreak of the plague was reported in China in the early 1330's. Trade between Asia and Europe had been growing significantly, and in 1347, rat-infested ships from China arrived in Sicily, bringing the disease with them. Since Italy was the center of European commerce, business, and politics, this provided the perfect opportunity for the disease to spread. The plague existed in the rats and was transferred to humans by fleas living on the rats. It struck cities first and then infected rural areas. The Black Death spread so rapidly that by 1350, one-third of Europe was dead."
Apparently, the world benefited from this in a number of ways. The feudal system was broken, the quality of life improved as fewer people shared the existing wealth. If you'd like to read more about this, go to http://campus.northpark.edu/history/WebChron/WestEurope/BlackDeath.html
I doubt AIDS will have a similar course....certainly not as short a lifespan.
Posted by Buffy | July 22, 2003 1:46 PM
Posted on July 22, 2003 13:46