Life savers for suckers
By Andrea Arscott, Contributor
Whatâs sweeter than candy, a whole lot of fun, and a lot like a life saver? You guessed itâa flavoured condom.
Donât like banana? Stick to vanilla or strawberry. Thereâs more than one reason to roll with scent-sational latex. Although the risk is low, there is a risk of HIV transmission from having unprotected oral sex. The virus can be passed on through vaginal fluids, semen (including pre-cum), anal fluids, and blood (including menstrual blood). So, lay down some plastic before your partner spills the juice!
Youâre probably wondering what kind of plastic shield a guy could use on a girl to protect himself, right? If he canât get his hands on a dental dam (a rubber sheath the dentist uses to cover your mouth during invasive procedures), he has other options. He can cut the top and bottom off a flavoured or non-lubricated condom to create a little square sheet, or when no oneâs looking, he can make a run for the kitchen and steal the non-microwavable cling wrap. Iâm not kiddingâload up the shopping cart. Make sure itâs non-microwavable though, because the microwavable wrap is more porous, and consequently less safe.
Now that youâve got your grocery list out, make a note to get tested too. A doctor can test you for HIV through a blood, oral fluid, or urine sample. To determine if you or your partners have any other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), women should schedule regular pap smears, and men should book annual physicals. Being examined increases the probability that doctors will discover STIs like genital herpes, which is caused by the herpes simplex 1 and/or 2 viruses. If there are no signs or sores, you can also request a blood test to see if youâre a carrier. All carriers are able to transmit the virus, even if they donât have an outbreak. This is why itâs important to use condoms: although herpes can be contracted through any skin-to-skin contact, practising safe sex reduces the likelihood of getting the virus.
Cold sores are the result of the herpes simplex 1 virus and are spread when an infected person swaps spit and shares utensils, drinks, lip balms, and pipes with other people. So, if someone with a cold sore kisses any part of your body, you may develop herpes in that area. Translation: when an infected person performs oral sex on you without a rubber barrier, that person can give you genital herpes. To lessen the chances of herpes transmission, avoid kissing, and donât engage in vaginal, anal, or oral sex during outbreaks on the lips or genitals. Although thereâs no cure, herpes type-1 and -2 are extremely common and manageable with treatment and use of protection.
Whether you want to burn rubber or not, be sure to visit your doctor or a medical, youth, or STI clinic to get tested, and ask your partners to do the same. Specify that you want to be checked for HIV, hepatitis C, and all other STIs, and if youâre concerned about herpes, ask about testing for it.
Flavoured condomsânot to be confused with edible condomsâ are sold in most stores or pharmacies. If you eat the condom, itâs no longer protecting you, and then youâve got a problem.
Stop HIV and hep C now. Play safe. Get tested.
Come down to the Purpose Society clinic at 40 Begbie Street in New West Friday, April 25th for HIV/HCV/STI testing and vaccines from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and free condoms! Do you have a sexual question? Get it answered anonymously (and maybe published in this column) by emailing sexyquestions@purposesociety.orgÂ
