Julie wrote:
"I don't find much validity in an STD test, all things considered."
That is a widespread attitude. However, when you look at groups of sexually active people where testing is common and regular, the STD rate is lowered quite a bit. A good example is Porn Actors. AIM Foundation has instituted a testing protocol in that population and educated actors to request results from other actors. Basically there appears to be a synergy from testing a large group that is bigger than a lot of folks anticipated.
The orientation for Porn Actors is Porn 101 and is available at
AIM Healthcare - Home
Now, folks that want the ultimate in safety are likely to abstain from all sex. Those that want the next best thing would combine testing, condoms and choosing partners that have a lower risk profile(i.e. not IV drug users, folks in a stable couple).
Anyhow, you'll see some public health folks say that testing isn't "cost effective", but what cost effective means to a swinging couple or a swing club is very different than for the public at large.
Also, STD testing varies a LOT from lab to lab. the AIM does provide testing to the general public through its affiliates. A complete battery of tests is $325 or so-and that includes HIV, Chlamydia, HSV, Hep A/B/C, Syphillis, Gonnorhea. The big one missing is HPV because the test for men is not FDA approved yet.
Now one advantage of condoms is that condoms can help with diseases that may not yet be understood. However condoms don't help much with some diseases like HSV so the best thing you can do there is get tested and expect similar results from your partners.
Even if you show up STD+ with something that isn't treatable, it isn't the end of the world. You can still swing with folks that have the same STD as you have with little additional risk.