STD E-Mail Warns Former Sexual Partners They Could Be at Risk
More than 19-million new cases of sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs) are diagnosed each year in the United States and most health professionals agree that notification is the key to prevention. Now, say one finds oneself with an STD and has had a casual encounter with someone -- what's the best way to let them know?
Yes, we know you want to say e-mail. And guess what? It turns out that e-mail is perfectly okay, at least according to the San Francisco Department of Health (SFDPH) and the non-profit Internet Sexuality Information Services (ISIS), which have partnered together to create inSPOT, an e-mail service that provides anonymous form letters e-cards to send out to recent sexual partners! The e-mails offer up information on where to get tested, what questions to ask, and, most importantly, that the recipient may be carrying an STD.
Now, would you notify everyone you've had sex with, including oral sex, in the past six months? ISIS reports that in 2006 and 2007, 23,594 e-cards went out and only 10 recipients have received e-cards in error since the program was started. Apparently it works, as long as no one knows the identity of the sender.
The cards are cheeky, but we wish they'd use a little more tact. Some examples are, "It's not what you brought to the party, it's what you left with," and "Got laid.Was happy. Got tested. Wasn't Healthy." The cards encourage the recipient to get tested for an STD as soon as possible. But still, however sweet and friendly the e-card, the message is always the same, "You've got an STD," and maybe there just isn't much of a way to say that nicely. And said it must be, particularly with STDs that are potentially lethal.
ISIS is currently available in San Francisco, Philly, Portland and a handful of other US cities, with plans for reaching all 50 states. [From Scientific America].
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Hischild4life said 6:09PM on 10-21-2008
One day God will show you that the Bible is still the Bible. Just because time has change, He nor the Word has. Why? Cause He is the Word and the Word is He and He is the Begining and the End. So as a Christian you cannot live by one law and not the others. God makes it very clear that you should not have sexual relations before marrige. This world will soon come to an end, so if I was you I'd take the Bible literally. It is better to be safe than sorry. Just think, what if you are wrong? Are you willing to take that risk? Remember, there's no turning back!
aerospacemajor said 2:48PM on 10-21-2008
Hey, here's an idea: Don't have a sexual encounter with someone until you are married to them as husband and wife, man and woman. WOW, what a concept! Present yourself pure at the wedding ceremony and--at the same time--do what God has been saying in the Bible for over 6000 years (see 1 Corinthians 6:9 and many other places in the Scriptures). Most of you have just never been taught that God abhors fornication, homosexuality, adultery and bestiality (all in the Bible) and will NOT forgive those who do NOT change their ways. God loves us--YES--but He does not permit chronic, unrepentant sin to go unpunished. In fact, sexual sins keep folks out of heaven (see above reference).
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meghan said 3:17PM on 10-21-2008
Aero - I'm so sorry you live you life based on a fictional novel. :( Maybe you'll have more fun in your next life!
Eos said 3:41PM on 10-21-2008
Aerospacemajor, I think you'll also find that the Bible tells us multiple times that God loves us no matter what, and is merciful; and that we can sum up everything God asks from us just by loving one another unconditionally. So just by saying "Homosexuals are sinners" and telling them to change their ways or they'll go to hell, aren't you kind of breaking that rule?
You'll also find that the Bible applies multiple standards that just aren't applicable in modern life, even if they have been "for over 6,000 years". My father works on the Sabbath day. Does that make it my ethical duty to take him out onto the street and stone him to death publicly? No. I believe the Bible also condemns bigotry and arrogance multiple times, and I think condemning homosexuals in their turn and putting heterosexuals above them = bigotry and arrogance. The Bible is full of contradictions like this. Though I'm a Christian, even I can't ignore them all.
Dan said 3:49PM on 10-21-2008
Word.
Pud said 12:32AM on 10-22-2008
Better to die a slow painful death then to live the way you see fit. Who could love or worship such a prick of a God? He wants to get love by intimadation? What a brute.
orangecat said 4:19PM on 10-21-2008
most of what you said was good, like waiting until married for sex, but there were a few things I don't agree with. God won't forgive ANY sinners or let them into heaven if they don't repent, but he will let everyone into heaven if they repent of their sins and accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and personal Savior. And I think the only sin that is unforgivable is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.
In Context: 1 Corinthians 6: 9-11: 9Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders 10nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
DarkLight said 4:30PM on 10-21-2008
I am not religious (However, I am spiritual... Two different things people is always confusing with each other)
Even if you set aside the blible, and whatever any religion might say, he is still right.
Like, seriously, are you a brainless animal or what?
Find a GOOD partner, and stick to that one person. You are meant to have sex exclusively with that one person (it's not that hard to do, you just have to find the right person... If you don't do so because you lack patience, that's your fault, and only you are to be blamed)
Sex is not for feeling pleasure, it's for making more of you.... But unless you are an animal (in wich case you should be treated as such), you will be selective about how you reproduce yourself (it's part of the evolution)
Jacki said 4:58PM on 10-21-2008
I would like to know when you were in heaven and how do you know what keeps one out of heaven? Or maybe you have direct contact with G-d? I thought G-d is the one that gets to judge, not man.
Jack said 5:20PM on 10-21-2008
what color is the sky in your little world? It's blue out here in the real one.
Chris said 7:28PM on 10-21-2008
I'm 17 years old, getting engaged soon, and am a virgin. I plan on staying one until I get married. Although the wedding may be years in the future, my boyfriend and I have vowed to stay virgins until such date. In this way we are showing our devotion to each other, and to God, by following the commands he has set before us.
laurinlou said 7:07PM on 10-21-2008
Maybe not all people are christians..maybe not all people believe in marriage..maybe not all people live in the little fantasize, mythology-based world you do..maybe people aren't perfect like you're narrow minded self and do make mistakes that lead to things like this..If you're such a wonderful christian, why do you want to judge others?
Billy Sandy said 8:07PM on 10-21-2008
AMEN !!!!!!!!!!
Jen said 8:41PM on 10-21-2008
Chris good for you...but good luck in the bedroom. Your sex is going to be terrible. And I can guarantee you have probably had oral sex...most teenagers dont consider this to be sex, but it is. And if you havent, youve probably done other stuff. Or at least masturbated. Thats supposedly against your religion, too. Hypocrite.
Vicky said 2:52PM on 10-21-2008
The AOL link to this article says "email spam"...this isn't spam. Do your homework, AOL.
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watdafuk said 5:53PM on 10-21-2008
It`s a typo they meant to say sperm not spam.
silverthesprite said 2:55PM on 10-21-2008
In response to Aero - Rock on, dude. Amen to that.
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straycat said 3:21PM on 10-21-2008
OMG!! It's like a hallmark moment now when someone tells you that you may have an std? I would hate to be the writer stuck writing those things!! "Its not what you brought to the party, its what you left with" lol ....just when you think you've heard it all.......
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straycat said 3:24PM on 10-21-2008
Really Harry!! and just how are you privy to this information? Something you'd like to confess? :)
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L said 4:02PM on 10-21-2008
Aero - I am a Christian, but there is just one minor flaw in your logic. I am divorced. Things like that happen these days that were not considered in Biblical times (my guess is fewer people existed). I do not plan on re-marrying, so I should be abstinant for the remainder of my life? Somehow, I just don't see any women going for that concept - let alone the men of the universe. Also, marriage does no longer constitute fidelity - or haven't you been listening to the news. Haven't heard a publicly known woman confess to having extramarrital affairs.
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