Do you use Condoms????

[Elusive BiFem]

AIDS/HIV is not my area of expertise by a long shot, but HERE is a link with some information.

As I see it...strictly personal opinions here...everyone, unless they have been totally celibate all their lives, is as some risk for contracting the disease, although it may be more minimal for some than others. As NorCal said, it sometimes takes years and years for the virus to show up in the blood tests available and therefore, we may harbor it, unknowingly, for years and years. Although we may feel better about getting periodic tests, that isn't any real assurance.

And like so many have said...I don't go without a condom unless I know someone really well. Yeah, right. Right off the bat, how many people, regardless of how well you know them, are going to tell you, "Oh, yeah...I picked up some guy/gal in a hotel bar one night in City, State and had a jolly good time! Nope...most don't. If anything, I think swinging partners are probably more honest about this type of stuff than those some of us might just start dating. After all, with swingers, it can be reasonably assumed we've had more than a few partners. With the cute, little, petite, blue-eyed, innocent looking blonde that Mom introduced you to...her best friends daughter...who knows.

Look at the transmission among health care workers. Although the incidents of needle sticks are considerably less, they still happen with great frequency. And who would be at greater risk than health care workers getting stuck with contaminated needles or hands cut with blood-covered scalpels? But again, were the relatively few HCW's that became infected actually infected in the work environment or was the virus already there? It seems, for the most part, that they were infected outside of their work environment.

I believe there is a ton more research to be done before we ever find out what this virus is all about, how it is really transmitted, the immune system response...that sort of thing. Look at the AIDS/HIV rates in Africa...a poor nation with nutritionally deprived people that could lead to some form of immunosuppression. Does that have anything to do with it? Don't know. Just wonder.

Another scary thing that could have contributed to the epidemic of the 80's-90's...in the early 80's, AIDS was around, but we didn't know what it was, and we didn't call it that. We just knew people were immunosuppressed and dying in spite of the antibiotics and other drugs we poured into them. During those early times, we did not wear gloves, masks, goggles...all that protective equipment. And in fact, as late as 1982, most of us were taught NOT to use gloves with patients - made them feel dirty and untouchable. And I guarantee you, needle sticks were as common back then as sunshine today! It wasn't a "day at the office" unless you had at least one! Again, you would think HCW's would have been dropping like flies, but they weren't. Why not? I don't know.

I personally believe that we need to all take as many reasonable precautions as possible, just as we do when we get into an automobile. Most of us don't drink and drive, we wear seatbelts, we drive the speed limits, we stop at traffic lights and stop signs, we check our tires, etc. However, in spite of all attempts at safety, some of us are going to be involved in major and minor accidents. We only decrease our chances with vigilence to details.
The same can be said about our sex lives. Use the type of caution that is necessary in this day and age to protect ourselves and others. Beyond that, other than living a totally celibate life in a cave somewhere, what else can you do?

Oral transmission? Possible, I suppose...people with gum disease, open sores in their mouths...that sort of thing. But think of this. What about a hangnail? Or you've been working out in the yard with your rose bushes and have a bunch of micro-cuts on your hands and fingers. Later that night your hands and fingers are exposed to vaginal and penil secretions. Potential source of infection right there and something you probably didn't think about.

NorCal summed it up reasonably...

Play SAFE with those you're not sure about... Play CAREFUL with those you think you're sure about.

For me, I'm going to play it SAFE with everyone. There are just far too many conflicting sources of information and too much we don't know yet to do otherwise, IMO.

To tell you the truth...I'm far more concerned about the transmission of hepatitis than AIDS/HIV. Another reason for playing it SAFE with everyone.

Off my soapbox now.... -EBF

[NorCal Nites]

[Maus-Katz]

EBF, excellent post (as usual).

For various job and travel related reasons, both L and I have been vaccinated for all variants of Hep and it's something people in the lifestyle should consider doing. By all means, ANY disease that CAN be vaccinated against, SHOULD be! Any good reason why not?

M

[NotsoNew]

Always with other couples...

[yawanna]

. By all means, ANY disease that CAN be vaccinated against, SHOULD be! Any good reason why not?

TB can be vacinnated against. However, it is not often done as once vacinnated, you will always test positive for TB.

[Elusive BiFem]

Originally posted by yawanna
TB can be vacinnated against. However, it is not often done as once vacinnated, you will always test positive for TB.

What? I've been vaccinated against TB many times over the years - at least annually while working in the hospitals for over 20 years, and I never tested positive a single time. Am I missing something? - EBF

[Elusive BiFem]

Yawanna, just to be certain, I just went back and looked it up to be certain. I suspect you are talking about the "conversion," frequently seen in those vaccinated, especially those vaccinated frequently. When that occurs, chest x-rays are obtained to definitively rule out the presence of actual disease vs. the conversion factor.

That being said, TB is again becoming a serious threat in our society, in part because it did disappear for a period of time and people quit obtaining vaccinations to prevent the spread. Certain groups of people continue to be vaccinated. - EBF

FYI from the John Hopkins Center for TB Research:
* Tuberculin Skin Test Conversion. For persons with negative tuberculin skin-test reactions who undergo repeat skin testing, e.g., health care workers, an increase in reaction size of ¡Ý 10 mm within a two-year period is considered a skin test conversion which is indicative of recent TB infection. TST convertors are high priority candidates for treatment of latent TB infection regardless of their age.
* Reactors vs. Convertors. A ¡°reactor¡± is anyone who has a positive tuberculin skin test. A reactor is a high priority for treatment of latent TB infection only if they have TB risk factors. A ¡°convertor¡± has documented evidence of a TST converting from negative to positive within a 2 ¨Cyear period and is a high priority for treatment because of the risk associated with recent TB infection.

[yawanna]

Yawanna, just to be certain, I just went back and looked it up to be certain. I suspect you are talking about the "conversion," frequently seen in those vaccinated, especially those vaccinated frequently. When that occurs, chest x-rays are obtained to definitively rule out the presence of actual disease vs. the conversion factor.

aaaahhhh... thank you

In my field of endeavour, we had to look into vaccinations for staff given the population they work with. I am notorious for enforcing health and safety precautions "put these latex gloves on NOW!!"

When I asked at my doctor's office about a TB vaccine I was told I would thereafter test positive if vaccinated, so they don't do them. Thank you for the clarification

[Elusive BiFem]

I think I would seek clarification from my doctor. It is possible that one or the other of you misunderstood something...and maybe I have, too. But you are right, in your line of endeavor, as I understand it, you may be at a slightly more increased risk of TB than the average person...just as I have always been in terms of working in the hospital environment.

Ain't no place safe! If something doesn't get us in one place, something else will in another place! Yikes! (and right now, I'm dealing with the dust bunnies in my house...they are trying to get me in a serious way! )

- EBF

[yawanna]

I actually did get a second, and a third opinion. Same thing - I'd test positive if vacinnated. So semi annually I'd have to have chest xrays done. Given the risk of exposure.. we presently have a TB alert in my field....it was suggested that we just continue with our usual precautions. I can't do better than a latex gloved hand touching the arm of a person in crisis...other than interact from behind plexiglass?

Which gets me to thinking about this and other related threads....do we not perform certain jobs or hobbies or interests for fear of getting an infection or illness? We take the TTC a lot, and people who we've never seen before often sneeze or cough in a crowded subway car. In my days as a Volunteer Manager, I learned from the Health Dept. that people with infectious conditions, such as colds or flu, were not to be handling items that would be passed onto other people ie: answering phones, licking envelopes, sorting food donations. I'd think twice about handling communal bowling balls

I've also read (check me on this one, too EBF ) that Hep B can be transmitted via kissing. So do I never kiss anyone other than my husband? Or the Dog and Kat on the top of their heads

Do we now live in an age of 'calculated risks'? I think we do and no one can ever be out in the world risk free of contracting an illness...anything from a cold to an STD. When you took your best precautions, something may still creep thru.

I was recently forwarded an invite to a private sex party...wherein...participants had to be tested for all STDs and provide proof prior to attending. I remember Howard Stern did something similar in his Shock Jock contests of men having sex with porn stars. I'm assuming this type of testing met moral (for the participants - no comment!!) and legal obligations.

I have seen dangerous behaviour, health wise, in certain 'swingers'..... who we wouldn't meet with for that reason alone.....but the only sure way to avoid std's is to be sexually monogamous. The only way to avoid illnesses like colds...is to never leave your sanitized, air purified home, and never let anyone in.

I think we all take risks in our everyday lives...not just in having multiple sexual partners. In our world....the risks are calculated and precautions are taken. I think that's the best we can do or expect.

P.S. I have murderous Fur Bunnies... 2 hours of vacuuming later.... they're back the next day I feel for ya ....

[Elusive BiFem]

First, I think I owe you an apology. You were talking vaccination and I was, too, but my brain was thinking skin test. I've never been vaccinated against TB, but I've received numerous skin test and never converted. Still, if I was currently working in a high risk area, with the incidence of TB on the increase, I'd certainly consider vaccination. Even if that meant I'd have to have a CXR every 6 months, although I still doubt that to be the case. You wouldn't be x-rayed unless you displayed symptoms.

As for risks, I agree...we live in an age of calculated risks in all that we do. All we can do to combat that is to use our best judgment and take available precautions. As in condoms...not foolproof by any stretch, but far better than none. You mentioned hepatitis...and yes, I suppose it is possible to contract it by kissing, tho' unlikely from what I've read unless there is an exchange of blood. However, if you knew someone was an IV drug abuser, would you risk a simple kiss? I wouldn't. You mention wearing gloves...just another precaution. Not foolproof...they are not impervious to absolutely everything...fluids leak in under the cuff...they get a micro-tear or puncture, but by wearing gloves, you decrease the risk substantially. If nothing else, you decrease the law of averages.
Seat belts...not foolproof. People die while wearing seatbelts, and in some cases seatbelts actually cause the death, but statistically, it has been shown that seatbelts save lives.

I go with the law of averages and "best practices." It decreases my chances - doesn't eliminate altogether.

EBF (and her bunnies!)

[2neophytes]

Hey, I'm new here, but I've been reading some of these posts, and I've always thought that HIV was transmitted via blood, not necessarily saliva, mucus, etc.

But then I wonder about the reliabilty of tests and the doctors that perform them. For example, seven years ago I had sex with someone I didn't know and he didn't use a condom; I didn't ask, etc., and I ended up with a really nasty discharge. I go to some doctor, and he tells me I have Trichomonosis(sp?), which he says is an STD, and one I haven't seen listed. I hear something later from a different doctor that it's not really an STD, but something else like a yeast infection or whatever. This of course leads me to question the expertise of those we trust with our lives and then wonder what a yeast infection could do. And then I read somewhere that regular ole yeast infections can cause problems (though not serious) for males. So now I wonder what really constitutes a sexually transmitted diesease these days and how different are they (fundamentally, of course) than any other infection or disease. After this life lesson, I hold the opinion that using a condom is like covering your face when you sneeze and/or washing your hands after using the restroom.

Condoms, yes, definitely, except for my partner.

2N

[NewBiFem]

condom, .50 cents; rubber dental dam $1.00, staying clean, PRICELESS!

it's a cryin' shame because I'm so into taste, but a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do!

"no glove, no love...

no rubber dam, no thank you m'am."

[SluttyWife]

What a great one about the rubber dam...although I miss the
tase/smell thing.

I got some over here at Toys In Babeland, vanilla glydes.. they're called! Yummy. However, the strawberry flavoured condoms were no fun.

Slutty Wife

[calicpl2002]

well for us we let the male go bare back until he is close then he puts on a condom for the simple fact that only hubby can cum inside me.