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| Condom in the shape of an AIDS ribbon. AIDS awareness series for MedAPT: Medical Awareness & Preparedness Training PREVENTION (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
One of
my all time favorite songs is “Life in the Fast Lane” by The
Eagles. One of the great things about it is not only do you get a
fantastic rock song, but it also presents a very powerful message
about life. A tough guy and a beautiful girl living a promiscuous
lifestyle filled with partying, alcohol and recreational drugs.
However, life soon caught p with them and they were soon fighting to
get out of 'the fast lane'. Although it was released in 1976, that
message still resonates today when so many young people – both men
and women – are living a care free bachelor life with little
regard to their ongoing health.
The
often deadly combination of unprotected sex and drug taking is
commonplace among the bachelor community and according to the CDC,
individuals who partake in both are much more likely to contract and
spread sexually transmitted disease (STDs) without ever realising
because so any STDs do not have any clear symptoms. If left untreated
infections such as chlamydia and gonorrhea can cause infertility, HPV
(human papilloma virus) and have been linked to cervical and anal
cancers . Advanced stages of syphilis can also affect the heart, the
brain and other major organs. There are other STDs like genital
herpes which once infected the individual will have the virus for
the rest of their life and suffer constant flare ups and pose a risk
to any future sexual partners. Of course, I haven't even touched on
the big one – HIV and AIDS which is a fatal virus which even modern
medicine cannot cure, only treat the symptoms.
I
guess what I am trying to say is that maybe life in the fast lane
isn't all it is cracked up to be! The best form of defence is
protection. I'm not saying bachelors should be practising abstinence,
but if you are going to engage in casual sexual encounters, then you
should definitely use condoms. It is also important to know how to
use term properly and above all safely. As well as using condoms you
should also use regular STD testing as an important way to maintain
your sexual health.
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