We don’t want to continue to be touch-deprived, do we?
Before we were all afraid to touch or get closer than six feet apart without a full HAZMAT suit on, being casually affectionate was acceptable. Visiting your friends and family, celebrating birthdays, weddings, even gathering for funerals was a regular part of life – and no one gave gathering a second thought. Now, we have been programmed to not give a second thought to standing on circles stuck to the floor that say, “Wait Here,” or “Stay Six Feet Apart.” We have learned that, despite all the disagreements, COVID is dangerous and can be deadly, and taking chances with our health or our lives is not something most of us are willing to do.
Touching, kissing, hugging, even standing too close to someone with COVID without proper protection has been detrimental for many people. Even with the COVID vaccines, boosters, masking, and social distancing, some of us have gotten COVID despite our best efforts. As much as we hate to admit it, some things are just out of our control, like those who don’t take protection seriously. We can only be responsible for ourselves, but even the best efforts by some of us have failed during the COVID pandemic.
Alas, let me switch to a more positive topic – one in which you have TOTAL control. In a world where the biggest concern has been COVID for the past two years, there are still health issues all of us need to be aware of and not pretend they are no longer issues just because we have something “scarier” to focus on.
The health issues I am referring to have to do with our sexual health. Sexual health is a human issue that occurs because we have physical bodies and humans share themselves physically. Touch, sex and affection are all wonderful and amazing things that we humans get to enjoy. If we take and maintain control of our sexual health, there is no reason these things can’t stay amazing without causing us annoying, painful, contagious and sometimes dangerous infections or diseases.
Of course, we want touch, sex and affection to stay amazing because not only are these things physically enjoyable, but also, they are so important for our mental health! Research has shown repeatedly that receiving and giving physical signs of affection boosts our mental health. It does not matter in what form we give or receive physical touch; what does matter is those who do not receive it are considered “touch-deprived” and are more likely to experience stress or depression. Not good!
OK, so because COVID has kept many of us from getting the physical attention we need as humans, where do we go from here? We don’t want to continue to be touch-deprived, do we? Hopefully, you have taken the precautions to stay safe from COVID; but here is my burning question: Are you taking the precautions to stay safe from HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections?
If your answer is yes, good for you! Keep taking those precautions and staying safe!
If your answer is no, it’s not too late – know your HIV status by getting tested with your PCP or at a facility that does regular testing. If you are currently or recently were sexually active, it is imperative that you get a full-panel STI test. Even if it has been a while since you’ve enjoyed a sexual relationship, do yourself, your sexual health and your future partners a favor. Your body (and your partners) will thank you for it!
Considering we are still working our way through a horrible pandemic, do all you can to stay healthy and COVID-free. Just as importantly, take your sexual health seriously so if you and your partner do manage to avoid the pandemic, you can enjoy all the touch, sex and affection you can handle.
This holiday season, get all the affection you can and catch feelings, not HIV or STIs! FBN
By Vonda Chisholm
Vonda Chisholm is the Executive Director of Northland Cares, a specialty HIV and Prevention Clinic that serves HIV-positive clients in Yavapai County and provides Education, Prevention, and Testing services for all Northern Arizona. Northland Cares is located at 3112 Clearwater Drive, Prescott, AZ 86305 and can be reached at 928-776-4612. Call us for information on free testing today!
