Internet dating
The Internet connects people from all over the world who share common interests. For example, if you’re interested in the migration patterns of geese, you can probably find someone else online who has a passion for the same topic. If you’re interested in having sex, you can find that, too. In fact, finding a sex partner is easier than ever before using hookup apps and online social media sites that use GPS to locate other horny people close to you. This increase in anonymous sex, in which participants often don’t use condoms, is contributing to the rise in gonorrhea, syphilis and other sexually-transmitted diseases across the country, according to health officials.
Sharp Increases in STDs Across the Country
Rhode Island health officials claim that apps such as Tinder and Grindr are contributing to a substantial increase in the incidence of sexually-transmitted diseases. The number of syphilis infections in Rhode Island increased by 79 percent between 2013 and 2014, the number of gonorrhea cases jumped by 30 percent and HIV infections increased by one-third. Health workers in clinics claim that many of the patients believe they contracted the disease through an anonymous encounter facilitated by social media.
Online Hookup Apps and Anonymous Sex
When two people meet online, they might not know each other’s real name or address, and they probably aren’t aware of any STDs the other person might be carrying. People who meet for anonymous sex and who don’t use condoms run the greatest risk of contracting a sexually-transmitted disease.
Detecting and Treating STDs
While an infection of gonorrhea, syphilis or chlamydia can be cured when detected early, these infections are often accompanied by a more permanent disease: HIV. For women particularly, an infection of the human papillomavirus, the most common sexually-transmitted disease, can cause cervical cancer and throat cancer.
Anyone who has anonymous sex should be tested regularly for STDs, especially men who have sex with other men. The CDC recommends getting tested every three months for STDs and HIV. State laws, however, require that health officials send your name and other personal information to the state health department when you test positive for an STD. The health department then contacts you to find out who your sexual partners have been so they can be notified. Because of this, many people avoid getting tested and getting the treatment they need.
Anonymous STD Tests
You can get a truly anonymous STD test and get the treatment you need if you test positive without having the state health department call or visit you at home. Follow the instructions in our free guide to anonymous STD tests and find out your status today. If you are infected with an STD, the disease becomes more difficult to treat and the damage becomes more irreversible every day until you receive treatment.
