Hey! So just was wondering what everyone's testing policy is? I'm in a new relationship and he told me he gets hiv every six months and blood work every year...but when I asked him about urine tests and swab tests of the throat and anus for chlamydia and ghonorrea since they are not in blood, he said you would know the symptoms of these things and since they are cureable he doesn't do it regularly since he is safe always (condoms) with anal and is monogamous with bfs. Not sure if it would be crazy to get your throat and anus swabbed and ask him to get a urine test...he probably already thinks I'm nuts asking all these questions.
I've never had to come up with a policy for this, but I say I would go for mutual agreement, what is it that you fear I might have even though I'm a virgin... and I'd have those things tested. Cause I've learned it's still a possibility to have the mother transfer STDs to the fetus and no symptoms are found at all. Although I wouldn't say my mom had a crazy sex life...
You are not nuts at all, my own policy is testing every 4-5 months, including the swabs. Your BF is wrong about the presence of symptoms, gonorrhea can be symptom-free as well as syphilis and chlamydia. More importantly, if gonorrhea or syphilis or chlamydia are present, the risk of HIV transmission from an infected person increases 4-5 times.
Ok...what would you say to your partner? ---------- Post added 27th Jan 2015 at 12:44 PM ---------- And what blood tests do you get?
Here is an excellent resource with specific guidelines: CDC - For Your Health - Gay and Bisexual Men's Health
Here's a question for you, great whale. If you get a swap for gonorrhea of the throat that was found neg., is it still worthwhile to get a swab of the anus if you had receptive sex?
There are also blood tests for gonorrhea, syphillis, and chlamydia. I don't know how common they are, but they do exist. Every 4-6 months is very reasonable in terms of testing *provided* that everyone is always playing safe.
When ever I start a new relationship, I tell them that we need to get tested. If I feel it is time that we are both thinking to get sexual, then I bring it up. I tell them that its not that I don't trust them its just my way of being safe.
I just wanted to echo what Chip said. There are a couple things I want to add, slash make really explicit: 1. Monogamy now isn't just a matter of kindness in a relationship. It's a matter of physical safety. 2. Your testing policy needs to include the fact that every high risk activity (i.e. unprotected receptive anal intercourse) resets the clock, where you have to wait before you can get an accurate result with a test. Conservatively speaking, this period is three months for HIV testing.
