Prevention is The Best Medicine
I am mother to two very great teenagers, but like any good mother I worry about my kids and have sat them down and had the "talk". I preach abstinence to my kids, but have also explained to them what could happen should they decide to ignore my advice. Along with that I have told them how they can protect themselves against sexually transmitted disease (STD's).
This information is something we all need to be aware of - no matter how old. Many seniors find themselves back into the dating scene due to divorce or death and may find themselves in the same situations my kids (God forbid) may find themselves in.
Emerging into the world from a long-term committed relationship can be a very dangerous and scary place. Sexually transmitted disease knows no age boundary.
Adults (especially adult women) over the age of 50 are among the fasted growing group to be infected by HIV, the virus responsible for AIDS. There have been some wonderful advances made in treatment but those medications are expensive and can have some very debilitating side effects. Gonorrhea and syphilis are still around along with a host of other organisms that can be acquired from an infected sexual partner.
Preventing STD's
* Abstinence
The only 100% guaranteed way of preventing STD's is to abstain from sexual intercourse.
* Monogamous Relationships
Maintaining a stable, faithful, long-term relationship with a spouse or partner can be very effective in preventing STD's. It would not be unreasonable to request a partner in a new relationship to have a check-up. Discuss past sexual experience before entering a relationship. No matter how uncomfortable the subject, the information could save your life.
* Protection
Use of a latex condom for protection is nearly as effective as abstinence in preventing STD's. Condoms must be used faithfully and correctly to be effective. Condoms made from animal skin do not provide protection against sexually transmitted viruses, such as the one that causes AIDS. The failure rate for condoms is estimated at 1 to 5% in regular use.
Prevention is always a much better option than therapy. Most STD therapy includes medications that can be very expensive in many cases. Many of the medications used for treatment of AIDS have side effects that make them difficult for many to use. Some of these medications may be contraindicated in the presence of other medication use or underlying medical problems.
In the end it is better to be safe than sorry. Your life may depend on it.
http://seniorhealth.about.com/cs/accupunture/a/std.htm
