kyle: Many fine points, baltazar. I don't think you're a party pooper at all. A person has to be informed. And it is very sad that many people let their guard down and have unsafe sex because they figure if they contract HIV they can just "take the cocktail." It's an unpleasant way to live. One of my friends with HIV takes between 25 and 35 pills a day and aside from the expense, he sometimes has awful side effects. Also, living with such a disease, there is a terrible amount of stress.
In junior high I took a mandatory Health class which covered STDs in great length, although it was during the "ARC" period of understanding AIDS so it wasn't covered at all. I think visiting an AIDS hospice or at least watching a good documentary should be part of the curriculum.
My preference - I loathe condoms. I just won't have it. But because of my choice, I ensure that I'm safe. As jonb said, be monogomous, wait at least 6 months, then get tested. When you get the all clear, sex is how it should be - all pleasure, no worries.
And remember, monogomy doesn't just take a trusting person, it also takes a person worthy of trust. When it concerns your very life, "you better wake up and pay attention." |