Question:
Being 20 something and growing up in the age of HIV and the safe sex condom campaigns I feel a little let down by the sex ed info being put forth. I'm an educated woman yet it didn't really occur to me how little you are protected with the use of condoms. It's drilled into our heads to use condoms so you don't get HIV or pregnant but mention of the other STD's just falls by the wayside. I think there really needs to be more emphasis on diseases like herpes. I've had an HIV test every year but didn't have a herpes test til I had my first ob. I definitely had a false sense of security using condoms. With newly diagnosed people signing up here every day I now know this is an epidemic that really needs to be addressed.

Answer:
I agree completly. I am in my 4th year in college and i've only been schooled on std for maybe 3 weeks if that. 3 weeks and i've been in school for almost 16 years. I didn't know any stat's and if I did I would have been alot more precautious. I tell my freinds to be careful because 1 out of 4-5 people have herpes. Millions have HPV ect. I never knew any of this till I got herpes. My freinds don't believe the numbers but its true. Ignorance is not bliss.

Answer:
The number one best way to spread information today is on the internet.

Okay maybe no one would want to see it but someone needs to do some You Tube information shots. I simply can't think of a better or more efficient way to put it out there.

Is there anyone creative out there who wants to do a short play of two guys sitting at a bar talking about how they got herpes?

Answer:
Caliope,

I think that's a great idea and I also think it's very important for it to be educational and not just scare people. There's way too much on the Internet that makes herpes look horrible and makes us seem dirty. I'd like to see something that informs people about this skin condition, that educates them that people with coldsores have the same thing as people with genital herpes; and that there are safe practices regarding sex.

Answer:
Being 20 something and growing up in the age of HIV and the safe sex condom campaigns I feel a little let down by the sex ed info being put forth. I'm an educated woman yet it didn't really occur to me how little you are protected with the use of condoms. It's drilled into our heads to use condoms so you don't get HIV or pregnant but mention of the other STD's just falls by the wayside. I think there really needs to be more emphasis on diseases like herpes. I've had an HIV test every year but didn't have a herpes test til I had my first ob. I definitely had a false sense of security using condoms. With newly diagnosed people signing up here every day I now know this is an epidemic that really needs to be addressed. I agree absolutely. Your experience is similar to mine. Add to that a cluelessness about oral sex and herpes transmission.

Better sex ed, please!!!