Safe Mongering in Honolulu

You brothers who have unprotected sex at the AMPs on a more or less regular basis, do you hold to a routine where you go get tested for stds periodically? Like if you go to the dentist twice a year for routine teeth cleaning and dental exam, how often do you figure you need to get tested for stds? I've been mongering for several years and never once got the tests done. But thanks to the suggestions and ideas from you guys on this thread, I just went and had my first std tests in my life today. I don't know the results yet and I'm told it can take as long as a week or two before all the results from the lab work are in.

[QUOTE=Jetli316;2492222]I think I saw a home HIV test at CVS. Are these test done completely at home and what is the reliability? I believe it was about $99.[/QUOTE]The Avert link below talks a little about it. If you wind up needing a confirmatory test at the clinic, better to have saved the $99.

If it uses the p24 antigen test method and you have been infected for long enough, the test will not work. The site discusses this.

Probably best to ask the CVS pharmacist, either where it's convenient for you or at a location you never go to.

[QUOTE=CosmicKid;2493090]You brothers who have unprotected sex at the AMPs on a more or less regular basis, do you hold to a routine where you go get tested for stds periodically? Like if you go to the dentist twice a year for routine teeth cleaning and dental exam, how often do you figure you need to get tested for stds? I've been mongering for several years and never once got the tests done. But thanks to the suggestions and ideas from you guys on this thread, I just went and had my first std tests in my life today. I don't know the results yet and I'm told it can take as long as a week or two before all the results from the lab work are in.[/QUOTE]Hey Cosmic Kid, while I very seldom do BBFS anymore, I get tested for HIV every 3 months. Free at the life foundation. I try to get full testing done at least once annually, including testing for herpes and syphilis. I generally stop by DHC every 6 months or so for urine sample to check on common bacterial STDs. Or course if I ever get symptoms I would go get tested asap.

I don't mean to use you as an example in a bad way, but think about it. For every guy with the courage to admit that they don't really take time to get tested, there are dozens of guys who read and never post who don't have a clue about their STD status unless exhibiting clear symptoms. Something to think about, always know the risks.

[QUOTE=LonelySmiles;2494277]Hey Cosmic Kid, while I very seldom do BBFS anymore, I get tested for HIV every 3 months. Free at the life foundation. I try to get full testing done at least once annually, including testing for herpes and syphilis. I generally stop by DHC every 6 months or so for urine sample to check on common bacterial STDs. Or course if I ever get symptoms I would go get tested asap.

I don't mean to use you as an example in a bad way, but think about it. For every guy with the courage to admit that they don't really take time to get tested, there are dozens of guys who read and never post who don't have a clue about their STD status unless exhibiting clear symptoms. Something to think about, always know the risks.[/QUOTE]I totally agree, LS. I've had my head buried in the sand regarding this situation for far too long. So, from now, I plan to get tested on a regular basis. I've got a good insurance plan and just realized I can use it to do this right. Don't need to go over to DHC. I live country and DHC is too far and plus I just found out I can get tested at a local clinic in my area. Having the whole workup with urine sample plus five blood samples.

[QUOTE=CosmicKid;2493090]You brothers who have unprotected sex at the AMPs on a more or less regular basis, do you hold to a routine where you go get tested for stds periodically? Like if you go to the dentist twice a year for routine teeth cleaning and dental exam, how often do you figure you need to get tested for stds? I've been mongering for several years and never once got the tests done. But thanks to the suggestions and ideas from you guys on this thread, I just went and had my first std tests in my life today. I don't know the results yet and I'm told it can take as long as a week or two before all the results from the lab work are in.[/QUOTE]Hey CK. I get tested every 3 months for the standard std's. I don't do BBFS with girls I don't know well. I also ask the girl how often they test themselves. All the one's I see test regularly. So, in a way I try to minimize the risks. But there's always risks, even from oral sex and kissing too. So I just try to be as safe as reasonable. I also only see AMP girls. No escorts etc.

[QUOTE=LonelySmiles;2494277]Hey Cosmic Kid, while I very seldom do BBFS anymore, I get tested for HIV every 3 months. Free at the life foundation. I try to get full testing done at least once annually, including testing for herpes and syphilis. I generally stop by DHC every 6 months or so for urine sample to check on common bacterial STDs. Or course if I ever get symptoms I would go get tested asap.

I don't mean to use you as an example in a bad way, but think about it. For every guy with the courage to admit that they don't really take time to get tested, there are dozens of guys who read and never post who don't have a clue about their STD status unless exhibiting clear symptoms. Something to think about, always know the risks.[/QUOTE]So the following locations do these tests for FREE:

Diamond Head Clinic: Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, Syphilis (once per year), HIV. Pros: They test for everything including syphilis, less number of people, not likely to run into someone unless they are also testing for STDs. Cons: If you're not first in line the wait can be long, you need to provide personal information (I'd).

Waikiki Health Clinic: Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, HIV, Hepatitis see. Pros: Short wait time because you make appointment in advance, they test most STDs, free parking. Cons: Its a real clinic so regular patients are also waiting for appointments, you need to provide personal information including insurance (although the STD testing is free an not charged to your insurance).

Life Foundation: HIV, Hepatitis see. Pros: Fast walk-in service with little wait time, free parking. Cons: They only test for HIV and Hep see.

There might be others that I don't know about. If any of you guys know of a clinic that does free testing then post up.

Get tested people. Its free.

[QUOTE]I also ask the girl how often they test themselves. All the one's I see test regularly.[/QUOTE]Good idea in theory, but personally, I wouldn't place much reliance upon providers answering that question truthfully. Why? A combination of three reasons: (1) often providers are untruthful about all sorts of matters and many become proficient at deception; (2) many providers know the "acceptable" answer to that question; and (3) there's definitely a financial incentive for providers to give customers an "acceptable" answer to that question, whether or not it's the true answer.

[QUOTE=Member#2322;2497095]Waikiki Health Clinic: Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, HIV, Hepatitis see. Pros: Short wait time because you make appointment in advance, they test most STDs, free parking. Cons: Its a real clinic so regular patients are also waiting for appointments, you need to provide personal information including insurance (although the STD testing is free an not charged to your insurance).[/QUOTE]I don't know if it's still this way, but years ago I went there and it was also a training place for new doctors. I was waiting in the room and the person who was going to do the test asked if I would mind if they came to observe. A bunch of guys poked their heads in the door like peeping toms; I immediately declined because I didn't like the way they presented themselves, thinking "This ain't no peep show".

On another note, I agree with Redneck about girls' claims about getting tested; they are not even truthful about where they've worked. There are 40 and 50+ women with years-long histories of taking CIP who will claim it's their first job, or "Neva fock no condom befo".

Thanks, guys, for the advice, suggestions, encouragement. After years of AMPing, I finally had my very first STD tests ever, way overdue, but results for all diseases came back all-negative, all-clear. So worth getting this done as it removes a black cloud of worry that was hanging out in the back of my mind!

[QUOTE=CosmicKid;2503161]Thanks, guys, for the advice, suggestions, encouragement. After years of AMPing, I finally had my very first STD tests ever, way overdue, but results for all diseases came back all-negative, all-clear. So worth getting this done as it removes a black cloud of worry that was hanging out in the back of my mind![/QUOTE]That's good that it came negative. Don't worry too much about it if you get it or not. Medicine is quite good in this day an age so it won't take long till someone found a cure for it.

[QUOTE=CosmicKid;2503161]Thanks, guys, for the advice, suggestions, encouragement. After years of AMPing, I finally had my very first STD tests ever, way overdue, but results for all diseases came back all-negative, all-clear. So worth getting this done as it removes a black cloud of worry that was hanging out in the back of my mind![/QUOTE]I know about that diamond head clinic, any others that do fee check up?

[QUOTE=TwoPump808;2509456]I know about that diamond head clinic, any others that do fee check up?[/QUOTE]I don't know the answer. I was able to use my health insurance to go get checked out at a local clinic in the area where I live on Oahu (far from Honolulu).

[QUOTE=TwoPump808;2509456]I know about that diamond head clinic, any others that do fee check up?[/QUOTE]See post #273 below by Member #2322.

[I](Here's an interesting news report on a relatively new method of preventing HIV infection in Hawaii.)[/I]

In an effort to reduce new cases of HIV infection in Hawaii, the State Department of Health is encouraging people at high risk for the virus to use pre-exposure medication to help prevent infection.

Marketed under the trade name Truvada, the prescription HIV medication was found in clinical studies to be 92 percent effective in preventing HIV infection, compared with no treatment at all, according to the Department of Health.

The drug was approved for use in HIV prevention by the Food and Drug Administration in July 2012.

In a news release issued on Friday, Peter Whiticar, chief of the department's STD/AIDS Prevention Branch, called the drug "high-impact HIV prevention".

"Never before has there been a medication that can help prevent HIV infection," Whiticar said. "It's important to not only care for our ohana who are living with HIV, but also to help prevent transmission to others".

According to the department, 456 new HIV cases were diagnosed in Hawaii between 2008 and 2012. An estimated 2,200 people in Hawaii live with HIV.

The department emphasized that Truvada should only be used in consultation with a medical care provider. The drug is most effective when used with condoms. Effectiveness declines substantially when the medication is not taken daily.

According to the department, most health insurance companies in Hawaii cover Truvada.

[QUOTE=Redneck1;2524741][I](Here's an interesting news report on a relatively new method of preventing HIV infection in Hawaii.)[/I]

In an effort to reduce new cases of HIV infection in Hawaii, the State Department of Health is encouraging people at high risk for the virus to use pre-exposure medication to help prevent infection.

Marketed under the trade name Truvada, the prescription HIV medication was found in clinical studies to be 92 percent effective in preventing HIV infection, compared with no treatment at all, according to the Department of Health.

The drug was approved for use in HIV prevention by the Food and Drug Administration in July 2012.

In a news release issued on Friday, Peter Whiticar, chief of the department's STD/AIDS Prevention Branch, called the drug "high-impact HIV prevention".

"Never before has there been a medication that can help prevent HIV infection," Whiticar said. "It's important to not only care for our ohana who are living with HIV, but also to help prevent transmission to others".

According to the department, 456 new HIV cases were diagnosed in Hawaii between 2008 and 2012. An estimated 2,200 people in Hawaii live with HIV.

The department emphasized that Truvada should only be used in consultation with a medical care provider. The drug is most effective when used with condoms. Effectiveness declines substantially when the medication is not taken daily.

According to the department, most health insurance companies in Hawaii cover Truvada.[/QUOTE]Yes that is interesting; antiviral prophylaxis. I wonder how intense the side effects are.