Health
Herpes Cases on the Rise in NYC
(Dan Mangan: New York Post)
Fortunately one of the underlying motivations in nightlife is sex. From the music to the clothing to the liquor, sexual overtones range from subtle to blatant. Unfortunately this atmosphere might contribute to a higher risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STD’s) in the city. One study has determined that herpes is more widespread in the city that in other parts of the country.
The 2004 report from the city’s Health and Nutrition Examination Survey found that 1 in 4 New York adults, or 26%, carry the herpes simplex 2 virus. Since only 15% of the carriers will develop visible symptoms, most of the people who have it don’t know it and are more likely to pass it onto others.
This does not mean that New Yorkers are having too much sex. But it is worth mentioning that getting herpes makes you more vulnerable to HIV. HIV cases are also on the rise in New York among certain demographic groups, which correlates to the city’s findings on herpes. The solution is simple; better sex through condom use. Condoms protect against herpes, HIV and other STD’s so using them will help curtail the spread of both viruses. There might not be such a thing as too much sex, but there might be such a thing as too much unprotected sex.
Unfortunately, condom use is down in New York, especially among at risk groups. Is access the answer? In some schools, condoms are already available and it has arguably helped. Is it time for condoms to become available in bars and clubs, close to the mints and cologne that the bathroom attendant hovers over or sitting at the end of the bar with the club logo on it? Some might claim that condoms in clubs might encourage people to have sex in clubs, but this is ignoring the reality of clubs. Condoms in clubs won’t encourage people have sex. Dark lighting, pounding music, strong drinks and a room full of barely dressed people who want to have sex encourage people to have sex. And club security already clamps down on dancing that gets too dirty, so it’s not as if condoms are going to suddenly remind people about sex. The only thing that condoms can do in clubs (if they get used) is to make the whole process safer for everyone involved.
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1 comment:
Yes condoms should be accessible at night clubs. It does not matter if the women is on birth control because prescription birth control does not protect against any STD. Many women of different races are pressured into getting on BC even though the docs know HIV cases are on the rise. Men should stop even asking women if they are on birth contol because is bad for all women www.ditchthepill.org all BC have the same effects on the body which increase chances of getting an STD. Condoms are the best choice for single people. I am spreading the work to stop prescription birth control and i have always used condoms. JUST SEX needs protection and women need to know that BC is not protection.
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