OcToBER 12, 2006

LIFES LYLE

THE CADRE @ 12

Jaime Constable

Reporter

Talk about Taboo

When Mary found out she had a sexually transmitted infection (STI) four yeats ago, it was one of the most devastating moments in her life.

Mary, not her real name, is an average student at UPEI who had no idea she was going to be infected with the disease. ;

“T remember feeling really ashamed, like somehow I was dirty, even though it was my boyfriend who’d slept around, not me.” said Mary, “He just got drunk one night and slept with this other girl, and that was that.”

Being confronted with having a disease can be psychologically crippling. Anyone suffering an illness has to develop coping strategies for the physical and emotional issues raised.

“JT was told I had HPV, which is the human papillomavirus.” said Mary. *T didn’t know anything about it at the time, and I was so afraid of the things I could imagine it was, and what it would do to me.”

Many STT’s have unpleasant symptoms, and can cause complications down the road. While Mary hasn’t had any physical signs of the disease for almost three years,

she’s aware that the virus is still there, just dormant.

“T try not to worry about it too much, but I’ve heard that HPV can sometimes cause cervical cancer. I go for PAP tests to make sure things are ok.” said Mary.

Although there was a time when she thought she’d never be in a relationship again, Mary has been seeing someone for a while, having cleared the hurdle of explaining to him that she has HPV.

“Telling my new boyfriend that I might have an STI was one of the hardest things I’ve had to do. I was really afraid he’d break up with me when he found out.” said Mary, “but he didn’t, he was actually really supportive and said that we would work through it together.”

Things don’t always go this smoothly though, and there continues to be a lot of stigma around any issues related to sex and STI’s. Dealing with it is a process.

“T wouldn’t wish this on anyone, it’s been really hard, and though for the most part I’ve come to terms with things, I still feel like people around me would judge me if they knew.

Only a couple of my friends know.” said Maty.

Marty is not alone; according to Health Canada, “It is estimated that 75 percent of Canadians will have at least one HPV infection in their — lifetime.” On a more positive note, there is a new vaccine that can be administered to young adults that protects against several forms of the virus. Even those already infected can get the vaccine to avoid contracting other strains.

It is important to think about any disease objectively. “One thing Pve learned is that there are some things you can’t change. If you have an STI you have to stay positive and realize that your life isn’t over, you just have to deal with this. Lots of people live with diabetes, and asthma.” said Mary.

The most important message that Mary wanted to get across to UPEI students was that well-used word, prevention, or better yet, protection. Starting in grade school, students are lectured about the importance of safe sex but that message doesn’t always get through.

“Tt is so easy to be safe, and this small effort can save a lot of grief down the road. Plain and simple, use a condom every time. People don’t always know they are infected, and even scarier, sometimes they don’t care.” said Mary.

If you have questions or concerns regarding sexually transmitted infections there are many resources such as the UPEI Health Centre, or your local medical clinic.