It’s not easy to talk to your partner about being tested for STD’s, mainly because he or she might think of it as offensive. Image by: Freedigitalphotos.net

Meeting a new partner can be very exciting. Usually, a new relationship begins when you least expect it. And when you come to think of it, Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD’s) also come when you least expect it!
It’s not easy to talk to your partner about being tested for STD‘s, mainly because he or she might think of it as offensive. However, it is very much important! Chances are your partner will be very happy to hear how responsible you are about your sexual health.

The importance of having the “talk” before having sex is crucial!

Even if you’re planning to use a condom, infection isn’t necessarily prevented. Various STD‘s such as herpes and HPV can be transmitted even without showing any symptoms, and even when using a condom.
But then, how does one bring up such an embarrassing subject?? Here are few ideas for conversation starters.

“Getting tested will help us know for sure! So why take a chance?? It’s only a few days!”

“I’m not saying you are infected with a STD, I just think that getting tested will help protect the both of us.”

”Most STDs, including HIV, are treatable and many are curable. The sooner we know, the sooner we can start treatment.”

Notifying your doctor the number of sex partners you’ve had, as well as type of protection you used, is very important so he can evaluate your sexual history. Image by: Freedigitalphotos.net

“Even if the test will show positive for one of us, it doesn’t mean we have to end our relationship! There are various ways to prevent transmission.”

“We’ll be able to enjoy the sex more, if we know it is safe!”

“Did you know, that some people who are infected with a STD don’t even know it, since they may not be showing any symptoms!”

“Getting tested for STD’s isn’t painful at all! The test includes a urine sample, and in some cases a blood sample, and the results arrive very quickly!”

“How about getting tested together??”

After both of you agree to get tested, each of you must notify your doctor about the number of sex partners you’ve had, and type of protection you used. In addition, tell him if you’ve ever used drugs with needles or ever had sex without a condom. This information will help the doctor evaluate your sexual history and determine the risk factors.

If as a result to such a conversation, you partner will end the relationship, it means that it wasn’t meant to be! Remember, your health is the most important! Relationships come and go, however, you are with yourself until the end of your life.

So, do you have any ideas for conversation starters I might have missed?

Race following vaccinations is ongoing, mainly due to formation of new viruses and modifications of existing viruses which is occurring every day.

The importance of vaccination against latent viruses is huge, since once infected with these viruses they stay in our bodies throughout our lives, and could erupt at any time.

Michael Tipple, CEO of Tomegavax and his research team on, may face a vaccine that stimulates the immune response around the clock – potentially guarding it constantly against latent viruses such as herpes, HPV and HIV [1].

Michael Tipple, CEO of Tomegavax and his research team on, may face a vaccine that stimulates the immune response around the clock – potentially guarding it constantly against latent viruses such as herpes, HPV and HIV [1].

The main problem with latent viruses is that upon primary infection, immune cells can’t fight the virus effectively and efficiently due to the lack of an “up front” immune response

So, how this vaccine works you ask ?? Its mechanism is very interesting.

The virus used in this vaccine is CMV (cytomegalovirus). It turns out that the body responds to CMV more slowly and calmly than it does, for example, to a flu.

Upon any infection, a gland in the body generates new white blood cells primed to target the specific virus, but in the case of this vaccine those cells stay in an unusual “half-alert” state [2].

What does that mean? So let’s give you an example. A full-blown immune response eventually exhausts itself, and can even be dangerous.

For example, humans who catch bird flu often die of the immune response itself.

In the case of CMV, 80% of the population get it at some point in their lifetime, have few, if any, symptoms and therefore may not even know that they have been infected [3].

So in the case of CMV based vaccine, in a therapeutic or preventative sense, the immune system’s constantly working and ready in case of a new viral infection [2].

Two pharmacutical companies combined resources in order to develop a vaccination against Herpes Virus

So in the case of CMV based vaccine, in a therapeutic or preventative sense, the immune system’s constantly working and ready in case of a new viral infection [2].

Vaccine development by Tomegavax is an important tool for dealing with viruses. It will take at least three years to develop an appropriate vaccine for humans, so until then we must act responsibly and ensure control over the spread of the virus.
Our natural environment is very dynamic and constantly changing and as people are born die and change, so does viruses. This requires us to show responsibility and always be up to date on current trends in scientific research.

References:
1. Keshavan, M. Startup using Gates-funded research to develop herpes & HIV vaccines, raising $12M. Published October 2, 2014.
2. Hansen, Scott G., et al. “Immune clearance of highly pathogenic SIV infection.” Nature (2013).
3. CDC.gov – Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Congenital CMV Infection. Last updated December 6, 2010