This essay was submitted anonymously after the author participated in the STI Interviews. This is part 3 of a 3 part series. Statistics help to show just how common STDs are. According to the CDC, genital herpes is one of the most common STDs, and in the United States, about 1 in 5 people are infected. […]
An Op-Ed about STD Stigma – Part 2
This essay was submitted anonymously after the author participated in the STI Interviews. This is part 2 of a 3 part series. The fact of the matter is, if you’re having sex, you are putting yourself at risk for an STD, and you should be getting tested for STDs. Most STDs don’t have symptoms, and the person […]
An Op-Ed about STD Stigma – Part 1
This essay was submitted anonymously after the author participated in the STI Interviews. This is part 1 of a 3 part series. Many people toss around jokes as if the only way they can get an STD is to sleep with tons of people. In high school, almost daily, girls bashed each other with names like […]
HSV1 – You Can Still Get Married – STI Interviews
Submitted anonymously via the contact form, this interview highlights one of the most common concerns we hear after a person is diagnosed: Now, I’ll never be able to get married. A common misconception, albeit, an understandable one considering all of the negative stigma associated with an STD, is that an STD – any kind – […]
Living With an STI – A Legacy – The STI Project Loses a Friend to HIV
Mourning the Loss of a Beautiful Soul The STI Project lost its first friend to HIV/AIDS this week, Mirvan Ereon. I have been mourning since; I was not at all prepared for how this would affect me and quite honestly, I felt a little silly being so taken aback as I had only just recently […]
Living 28 Years with Genital Herpes – STI Interviews
This was an anonymous submission via the contact form. I found this interview incredibly interesting as it reflects a lot of the feelings one initially experiences upon learning they have contracted an STI/STD, yet, for this person, some of those same emotions prevail even 28 years later. Living with an STI is different for everyone, […]
STIs/STDs and Relationships – The STI Project’s Guidebook – Partners
STIs/STDs and Relationships You mean to say, they can coincide harmoniously?! Yes. Of all the different types of relationships one can have in which an STI/STD may cause anxiety, relationships with a significant other cause, by far, the most trepidation. On first review, this seems a completely understandable cause for concern. And while I don’t think […]
STIs/STDs and Relationships – The STI Project’s Guidebook – Family
STI/STDs and Relationships You mean to say, they can coincide harmoniously?! Yes. Lately, I’ve had quite a few discussions about the topic of telling one’s parents or extended families about their STI/STD and how to deal with any adverse or unanticipated reactions. Starting this series months ago, I had nearly forgotten that I hadn’t finished […]