No this is not a test to see if anyone is paying attention. It is new discussion.

The dreaded discussion on STI/D testing, to be more specific.

So this came up quite a bit while attempting to host my event. Where to get tested for STIs? Why do I have to get tested? How often should I get tested? What is the point?

So the last one is sort of duh. The point is to make sure you are clean and not transmitting potentially deadly viruses to others. Be it intentional or ignorance it is better to know and be treated than infecting others and getting a bad rap socially and basically ejected from the swing community.

Why get tested? Well so you know like I just said. On top of that a lot of swing groups/events/parties require recent results. The hosts have reputations that are built in trust and liveliness of the event. Trust is grown mostly on hosting safe events. Pushing you to get results is safe for everyone and gives the people that are able to host events like this more credit so when they host again more people are likely to show and the events are just better overall.

Where do you get tested. Your doctor. Its a simple pee in a cup and a couple vials of blood. It takes all of 5 minutes for them to gather what they require and typically results are back in 24 hours or less. But I do not have insurance or a doctor. Hey guess what, most counties and or cities offer free or low cost testing and fewer require appointments, all you have to do is show up and do it. Getting the results from your doctor is as easy as using your portal as doctors have EMR systems. The counties and those will provide hard copies or online access, just have to ask.

Reminder, you should never give out personal info to anyone. If hosts require test results, all you have to do is show them your test results. If they want more info I would walk away from it, but that is your call in the end.

How often should you get tested? That all depends on how active you are. Married couples that only play with yourselves or randomly with someone, once a year is fine. Single folks or more active couples should be tested every 6 months. Those of us that play around often with multiple partners in short time frames, you should be tested every 3 months. I know that is a wide range, but that is the typical recommended range. 3-12 months depending on how active you are.

All this said, remember PrEP does not protect or prevent HIV or STIs it just reduces the chances of HIV, so condoms are always the best bet unless you are in a regular rotation of the same partner(s). But be safe folks and please get tested and be prepared.

Much luv ❤️💜💙