#gettested

UequalsU message in podcast on BRUZZ – Brussels Media Channel Belgium Television – Radio

Nice to share this happening through this short blog on our website. At November 2020 we, Peter and my husband Dado Garcia were spontaneously contacted by a reporter, Margot Otten of BRUZZ,be the Belgian Media House with a television channel, website, newspaper, all with current affairs and news from the Brussels. Margot was preparing new podcasts of ‘inspirational people’ living in Brussels…

People will go to any limit to avoid getting tested for STDs. Someone recently wrote to us saying that checking a one month old STD test can’t guarantee that he/she doesn’t have STD today and no one will get blood test every time before sex isn’t it? So what is the point?

Very true. No one gets tested before each sex session and a month old test report is no guarantee that the person won’t have STD. True. But please understand that tests are NOT to check your infection status on that particular day or date! It is to check your history, check if you have been following safe sex practices in the past. Getting tested shows that the person’s sex life till that point in time has been safe and whatever they have been doing till now has been safe. The results are a reflection of his past sexual explorations. It is all about probability and statistics. A clean result increases the probability that his future state will be status quo unless the person has a dramatic shift in his lifestyle. Negative test results means:

1. The person has been cautious in the past and will most probably remain cautious going ahead too.

2. The person is conscious of the dangers of STDs and has gone through the stress of waiting for test results and people usually don’t do silly things after that experience.

3. Awareness level of the person/couple around safe sex is high.

The only 100% guarantee of not getting an STD is to abstain from sex completely. That is obviously not the right path unless you’re becoming a monk or a nun. The best we can do is to take precautions. We have similar number of road deaths in a year compared to STD. We don’t stop driving. We take precautions - wear seat belts and drive slow and don’t drive when high! Similarly, we won’t give up sex and swinging but we want to add precautions - Always wear condoms and get tested at least twice a year for STDs to make sure that our lifestyle choices have been safe! Make sure you ask for ecent reports from all new lovers!

Remember that deadly STDs like Herpes, Syphilis, HPV can’t be stopped by condoms. They spread from intimate skin to skin contact also eg. Oral sex

Are you willing to bet your and your lover’s life on your next swinging session? You already did! Get Tested today!

Join the growing group of STD tested swingers and continue having fun!

#GetTested

#SafetyFirstSwinging

Last course for the entire 2 and a half years of studying in Medschool. After nun duty na. Pero bago pa man naming matawag na “clerkship-ready” na kami, may isang course pa kaming kailangang pagdaanan: Gender & Sexuality

As part of our module, we discussed HIV. Luckily, our facilitator arranged our class to be done outside school. I was a little bit excited yet anxious. Kasi prior to that, we were asked if we would like to have ourselves checked or screened for HIV (IDK if related sa National Aids Month or dahil na lang din sa course na yun).  So yeah I arrrived late as usual the following day. We started our talk with a  facilitator who discussed to us the SOGIE topic (Sexual Orientation Gender Identity and Expression). It was interesting, but  I would like to skip that part muna ngayon. hahah

Then we talked about STIs and HIV-AIDS and how the former relates to the latter. We were making random guesses until finally she simply explained that STIs serve as an entry point for the virus to get into our system. That’s how simple it is. Over-all napakasimple lang pala nyang intindihin amidst the thick and long explanations that Harrison’s and Robbin’s give us medical students. 

And finally, the HIV SCREENING.

It was free. It was fast.

First, we have ourselves sign a form followed by a one on one interview with the counselor. Frank and open minded questions were asked and no hint of judgement was seen or observed.

I was asked to proceed to the Medtech’s room were the sample was to be taken. The procedure was well explained. I actually know the medtech on Facebook but I gave no hint to avoid the awkwardness lol

My right middle finger was pin-pricked and my sample was tested on a pregnancy kit-like device. 

We were asked to wait for 15-20 minutes for the results.

It was a thrilling moment.Our group of 8 students (for the class) were all jampacked in a room where we were exchanging random thoughts about the what-ifs. haha. Until finally, the results came in... Note: This may seem inappropriate for the strict implementation of the rules in giving results, and there are strict rules. But this was just made to break the ice.

We stood there in silence. Until the faci said, “okay. Isa sa inyo ang nag test ng Reactive”

We were like: @___________________________@

It appeared to me that no one absorbed that. Everyone was in shock. Whoever it may be does not deserve the bad news for a good day, I thought to myself.

Everyone’s result was given, except for mine. As the list goes short, my heart’s beat was becoming slow. My thoughts were wandering around emptiness. My family. My future. 

Everyone’s result is “nonreactive” ... Then, my name was called. 

I didn’t want to see the paper immediately. But I had no choice. 

I slowly scanned it. There was my name on it, with my other personal information.