HED 320, Fall 2014
Agree/Disagree Paper
Sexually transmitted diseases or infections have a profound impact on the society by affecting the health of the individuals involved. Humans are faced with difficult situations in which they need to take an ethical decision whether they should disclose the fact of being diagnosed by an incurable STI with a potential partner quite early in a romantic relationship.
One in five Americans has a sexually transmitted infection. If I tested positive for an incurable sexually transmitted infection, I would disclose that fact to a potential romantic partner early in the relationship to stop the spread of the infection and to start the relationship with integrity even though it would be uncomfortable.
Thesis
The thesis statement for the current essay is that should one disclose the diagnosis with an incurable sexually transmitted infection to a potential romantic partner early (within 2-3 weeks) in a relationship. The present paper diagnoses the current thesis statement in the light of various arguments.
- The importance of screening and what STDs are incurable
I will get tested for sexually transmitted infections in order to know what to disclose to potential romantic partners.
Some of the sexually transmitted infections such as Trichomonas, chlamydia, Gonorrhea and Syphilis are curable and thus can be treated with medicines .
However, some of the sexually transmitted infections such as HIV AIDS are incurable and thus once countered, cannot be cured completely. Common incurable STIs include HIV – human immunodeficiency virus, Herpes (HSV-1, HSV-2), HPV – human papilloma virus, causes genital warts & cervical cancer (vaccine) and Hepatitis B” (Lecture Notes, 10/7/2014)
It is important to know and establish if one suffers from an STI.
You cannot disclose it unless you know about it. The most common symptom is no symptom and you can’t assume you don’t have an STD. STDs can be even transmitted when people have no symptoms
This is my first relationship when I asked my boyfriend how many sexual partners he has he said two. After knowing that it is common for people to be infected with STD without any symptoms, me and my boyfriend decided to get tested.
After getting tested for sexually transmitted infections, I will know what to disclose to potential romantic partners.
- Desire for romantic relationships to continue
Having an incurable sexually transmitted infection would not takeaway my desire to have a romantic partner. There exist a variety of reasons why romantic partners do not disclose the diagnosis of a STD with their partners. Some of the reasons include the casual attitude of the people in encountering such cases in life. Some individuals do not understand the seriousness of the situation in which the individual’s health status may also affect the health status of the partners. There are many cases where the partners are ashamed about their diagnosis with a STD and feel hesitant to discuss it with their romantic alliances . In other situations, some partners do not intentionally share such information with their romantic alliances for the fear of losing the relationships.
It may be unethical on my part to have sexual relationships with an incurable STI. Disclosure shall ensure that though I would continue to have a desire to have a romantic partner; I would not spread the infection.
- The importance of preventing a spread of disease
I am responsible for preventing the spread of the incurable sexually transmitted infection. Anyone who is sexually active can get or transmit a STD, so it's important to reduce your risk.
The number of cases of incurable STI AIDS is rising steadily in the different parts of the world. The information on the diagnosis of a potential sexual partner with an STI that is incurable can ensure the prevention of the disease transmission in the partners.
The first cases of what would later become known as AIDS were reported in the United States in June of 1981. Since then, more than 1.7 million people in the U.S are estimated to have been infected with HIV, including over 6000,000 who have already died and more than 1.1 million estimated to be living with the disease today. The response to the U.S epidemic has yielded numerous successes, but challenges remain (Course Reader, p. 259).
While the number of new HIV infections (incidence) was down from its peak in the 1980s, estimates indicate that there have been approximately 50,000 new HIV infections annually in recent years (Course Reader, p. 263).
HIV testing is important for both prevention and treatment efforts, and rapid testing is now much more widely available. Routine HIV testing is now recommended for all people ages 13-64, yet 18% of those infected with HIV don't know it, and many people with HIV (32%) are diagnosed late in their illness. (Course Reader, p. 263)
In light of these facts, it can be argued that it is important for romantic partners to share their diagnosis with an incurable STI well in time with their romantic partners so as to curb the further transmission of the disease in other perfectly healthy individuals.
Along with preventing the spread of the infection, I value honesty in relationships.
- Importance of integrity in relationships
I would be honest and disclose the infection to a potential romantic partner. I consider it ethical on my part to disclose such information, and my partner may find about it later through some other source.
It is not ok, moral or ethical to put a person at risk of contracting a STD without allowing them an opportunity to make a conscientious and informed decision.
In addition to starting a relationship with honesty, I would overcome the discomfort
- Hard to disclose
I would overcome the discomfort in disclosing the infection within two to three weeks of meeting a potential romantic partner.
Disclosing too early is bad because you don’t know each other well enough to want to get to know the person. Too late is bad because of the risk of spreading infection. When you are dating someone they either want to have sex with after 2-3 weeks and it is the best time to disclose because both have developed some level of trust and you know if the relationship is going to the next level or not.
Finding the right time to tell is important because you want that person to know STD is not about your life - you know. You want to get to that person. The first thing they know about should not be that you have a STD. Increase the chances of letting that person know you. What do you think if the first thing you want the other person to know you. The right timing is important. But it is important before having sex.
There may not be any perfect time to disclose the information about the infection with a STI such as AIDS to the romantic partner. Studies indicate that partners who share their STI status details with their potential romantic partners face the lesser stress and dilemma and fear of rejection than those who do not share the details at an early stage with their romantic partners .
The disclosure of the information about an encountered STI that is incurable such as AIDS is liable to be a reason for the rejection by the potential romantic partner. However, the sharing of this information at an early stage of dating shall ensure that the victim has less stress and feelings that are related to the fear of rejection by the other partner. It is important to note that the potential romantic partner has the right to know about such a development and the disclosure at an earlier stage can help both individuals to adjust better and react to the new development.
In cases where the partners delay the sharing of such critical information on romantic relationships, the disclosure of such information at a later stage when the relationship is at an advanced stage with higher levels of emotional bonding and feelings of trust, can be a source of potential threat to the entire relationship and a severe emotional turmoil. In view of these perceived reactions, it is advisable in the interest of the both parties, that such sensitive and critical information should be shared with the romantic partner at the earliest
I’ve found, the people who take the approach of letting someone know as soon as they start dating tend to feel less frustrated when a rejection occurs as a result of disclosing their STD status. Whereas, the people who choose to wait until they’ve developed some trust and can foresee the relationship going to the next level emotionally and (especially) physically tend to have better results in maintaining a relationship. By then, their partner is more likely to be willing to take a calculated (protected) risk. However, those same people are liable to be more hurt when the person they are dating chooses not to take a risk and ends the relationship. This is generally because the person with the STD has also begun to invest their emotions into the relationship.
- Ignorance and Stigma
Some believe STD defines your life. It is difficult to imagine how to have a relationship with someone with infection. “The best policy is to be patient and open to whatever response we might receive when we disclose; people are only human and sometimes respond uncomfortably. If we are invested enough in them to disclose our status, we might as well invest a little more if we need to educate them a bit. Remember: we may be their first exposure, as it were, to someone with HIV, and their attitude about it in the future may very well mirror what we’re putting out - comfort, anxiety, shame, health - when we disclose.” (Course Reader, p. 259)
Stigma is a mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality, or person. The diagnosis with an incurable STI is considered as a social stigma for many people.
- Conclusion
The arguments presented in the paper justify the thesis statement. It can be logically concluded that one should disclose the diagnosis with an incurable sexually transmitted infection to a potential romantic partner early (within 2-3 weeks) in a relationship.
References
Boskey, E. (2014, May 27). Ten Reasons Your Partner May Not Have Told You About Their STD. Retrieved from http://userwww.sfsu.edu/ivychen/HED%20320%2010%20reasons%20why%20not%20tell%20STD.html
Davis, J. M. (2013). When Do You Have To Tell Someone You Have An STD? Retrieved from Thestdproject.com: http://www.thestdproject.com/when-do-you-have-to-tell-someone-you-have-an-std/
Gross, G., & Tyring, S. K. (2011). Sexually Transmitted Infections and Sexually Transmitted Diseases. NY: Springer Science & Business Media.
