Party sex is turning out to be a ‘not so common’ thing in the lives of people during this time of the year. Now that Christmas and New year’s holidays are a few days away, we just have a little to no time, to protect ourselves from being contracted by STD/HIV.
More sex during this time of the year
A recent poll conducted with 2,000 people by luxury sex toy company Lelo also found that people expect to have 25 percent ‘more sex’ over the festive break than during the rest of the year. 25% More the sex, more is the chances of getting contracted.
Not just friends, sex with colleagues in a party contribute to the spread of STD
By one survey there is one in a tenth chance of contracted by STD/STI from a colleague at a Christmas Party.
During this time of the year (Christmas/New year) as our work winds down and our social lives ramp up, we find ourselves in more situations that could lead to sex, be it in the form of Christmas parties or after-work drinks, but it is so important that we remain safe.
So it is essential to get tested as the work colleague may not have or develop symptoms yet still be infected. It is also essential for work colleagues should certainly be informed if in case of a history of sexual health. This is the responsible thing to do and is important for preventing infections spreading from person to person.
Why is it so important to book an appointment to get tested for STD during Christmas/New year?
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Christmas/New Year is the busiest time for STD testing centers
Narrow working hours and higher demand. It takes longer to get an appointment at the nearest STD testing clinic due to reduced working hours(at the clinics) along with bank holiday closures lead to longer waits for an appointment when there is higher demand.
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Some STD are asymptomatic
Diseases like Chlamydia are asymptomatic in nature, meaning they have no symptoms and thus can be passed on to others and may cause a delay in treatment if not diagnosed in time. The result of untreated STD are dreadful.
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Important to break the chain of transmission
It is important to break the chain of transmission as a delay in getting tested may cause a delay in reporting a positive case, till the time the patient might have passed the STD to another partner. Timely diagnosis can lead to timely reporting/ prevention and even treatment.
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Know STD testing window
The STD testing window of different STDs is different which means different STDs can be detected at a different time frame. If you get tested too early the test result may not be accurate. Refer STD testing window chart for all STD here
What can be done to prevent yourself and others from the spread of STD during Christmas/New Year party sex?
- Use Protection (Condom use during penile-vaginal sex and/or Dental dams during oral sex). Have sex with the person you know to have “no sexual health history” or avoid unprotected sex with a random stranger in a party as you are not aware of his sexual health.
- Stay away from alcohol and drugs, as they may divert you from using protection while party sex. Sharing needles to inject drugs can lead to an open invitation to diseases like HIV.
- It is essential for work colleagues indulging in party sex, that they should be informed if in case of a history of sexual health.
- Timely STD check is essential as getting tested too soon may result in false-negative test results. Meaning you may have the STD virus inside you but the test indicated as negative.
- Anyone who is sexually active should think about getting tested for STD to help prevent passing on it to new partners or going untreated themselves. Feel free to use this $10 discount coupon at the STD testing center near you.
