These days, scoring a hooking-up is more accessible than ever. With an abundance of classified ads seeking casual encounters on Craigslist and hookup apps like Tinder and Grindr, a sexual encounter is at your fingertips. However, with this increased ease and significant level of anonymity comes an increased concern for STDs.
The impulsive ability to find an encounter at any time leads to a web of hookups, quite possibly in a short time. If someone were to contract an STD, that STD could spread furiously. A study by the University of Minnesota researched this matter. They concluded that, between 1999 and 2008, Craigslist casual encounters were guilty of causing a 15.9 percent rise in HIV cases. This is a startling revelation, as hookup apps have become more prevalent in recent years. While the increase in HIV/AIDS was more influenced by men seeking other men, women were not excluded. An increase in syphilis was also noted and was most commonly associated with heterosexual encounters.
Keep in mind there are many common STDs. For instance, the CDC estimates at least 75% of reproductive-aged people have come into contact with or have been infected by human papillomavirus (HPV). They also estimate 15% of these people are actively infected at any given time. It’s also estimated that 1 in 5 of this age group is infected with Herpes; women and African Americans were more commonly affected. Neither of these diseases can be entirely prevented by condom usage.
The decreased odds of being in contact with a casual hookup later on diminishes the likelihood of making or receiving a call if an STD is discovered. There is a clandestine nature to casual hookups via the internet; often, these are one-time meetups. This increases the risk of spreading STDs, and precautions must be taken to protect you.
Regular STD Check Might Help You
In addition to the obvious and essential practice of safe sex, regular STD checks are vital to your health and well-being. Many STDs have no noticeable symptoms but can have genuinely detrimental effects. Everyone should make it a point to check for STDs regularly. However, the testing frequency will need to rise when there is a higher frequency of hookups, especially of a casual nature. While we hear a lot about websites and apps used for this nature, it’s important to remember that testing is necessary regardless of where and how the hookup came about.