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STI's and social responsibilty.
For some time now a fair amount has been written in some threads here with regard to the transmission of STI’s both to and/or from individual clients and escorts. There is considerable disagreement over what should be done to overcome the receipt of such unwanted “gifts”, with some very heated and unrealistic comments being made on both sides of the issue.
Publicly identifying (outing) suspected sources of infection has already been mentioned here as a solution. In opposition to that for example, it has been said that no one person has a right to know another person’s medical history.
Both views have support by some these days, especially now when confidentiality, particularly in respect to medical files, is socially very much in the forefront BUT, any concealment of the presence of life-threatening pathogens, by a purveyor of sexual acts completely disregards the rights of others (who might prefer to avoid any risk what-so-ever to themselves of receiving such an infection).
I am not referring here to anyone who may deliberately accept such risk, but to those who may, despite their taking of all reasonable precautions, become infected entirely by accident.
It is my belief that one’s personal wishes should never be considered a priority, BEFORE taking into consideration, the good of the community or of society as a whole.
In defense of that position I submit, that without such consideration being the norm in the past, the world would be in a much worse state than it now is. So many diseases have already been eradicated or seriously reduced by containment or isolation of the carriers, even prior to the development of effective current medical cures. Seldom do we hear today of epidemic outbreaks of tuberculosis, typhoid fever, leprosy, or smallpox, all of which have been responsible for the deaths of millions over the years, and which have today, essentially been eliminated by the methods of containment used in the past, and now today with the help of modern pharmaceuticals such contaiment can be maintained with relative ease.
A few examples to consider:
- Consider the Tainted Blood scandal of a few years ago. Everyone demanded then that the government take action to control the outbreak!
- Consider the situation recently at Maple Leaf Foods. Everyone demanded that the government take action to control the outbreak!
- Consider the Melamine in Pet Food and now in Chinese milk products. Everyone demanded that the government take action to control the situation!
- Despite the ongoing attempts to distribute un-pasteurized milk in Ontario, very few of us seem to be aware that cow's milk was the principle mode of transmission of Tuberculosis, and Louis Pasteur became world famous for his discovery of the process used to destroy the pathogen responsible. Elimination of Tuberculosis, an epidemic at the time, was THE reason for pasteurization of milk back in 1862. It evntually became the norm in an effort to control the Tuberculosis epidemic of the day.
- It was Pasteur who first realized that disease was caused bacteria and that for this reason doctors should wear gloves of rubber to prevent the transmission of their patients sickness to them. While Pasteur did not invent condoms it was his belief in the protection provided by rubber gloves that I am sure inspired the develpment of the rubber condom.
- Many of you will be too young to be aware of this, but not too many years ago, and before a pharmaceutical cure for TB was found, if a school student in Ontario tested positive for Tuberculosis, the Medical Officer of Health was required to have that student removed from that school immediately, and sent to a sanitarium, possibly for years. Then the primary treatment was principally rest. (I remember a classmate being called out of class one day, and within 30 minutes his locker was emptied, he was gone, never to return home for more than 3 years). As a carrier of a pathogen he was removed from society for the protection of others!
- In various countries including Canada, governmental staff also tracked down individuals (as well as all of their contacts), who were thought to be infected with any common diseases, including some STI's which were then known as Venereal Diseases. Once located, the individuals were isolated if necessary, and treated to effect a cure and thereby reduce chances of spreading the disease.
- In view of the successful use of isolation and enforced treatment of diseases in the past, and the near or total elimination of some of the scourges of mankind by these methods, perhaps it is time now for us to give some serious thought to finding an effective new way to help ensure the best possible protection is afforded to the public/society today.
Of course, for such a system to again work successfully, that process must necessarily involve the government!
THERE IS NO EASY SOLUTION TO THIS DILEMMA!
Publicly identifying (outing) suspected sources of infection has already been mentioned here as a solution. In opposition to that for example, it has been said that no one person has a right to know another person’s medical history.
Both views have support by some these days, especially now when confidentiality, particularly in respect to medical files, is socially very much in the forefront BUT, any concealment of the presence of life-threatening pathogens, by a purveyor of sexual acts completely disregards the rights of others (who might prefer to avoid any risk what-so-ever to themselves of receiving such an infection).
I am not referring here to anyone who may deliberately accept such risk, but to those who may, despite their taking of all reasonable precautions, become infected entirely by accident.
It is my belief that one’s personal wishes should never be considered a priority, BEFORE taking into consideration, the good of the community or of society as a whole.
In defense of that position I submit, that without such consideration being the norm in the past, the world would be in a much worse state than it now is. So many diseases have already been eradicated or seriously reduced by containment or isolation of the carriers, even prior to the development of effective current medical cures. Seldom do we hear today of epidemic outbreaks of tuberculosis, typhoid fever, leprosy, or smallpox, all of which have been responsible for the deaths of millions over the years, and which have today, essentially been eliminated by the methods of containment used in the past, and now today with the help of modern pharmaceuticals such contaiment can be maintained with relative ease.
A few examples to consider:
- Consider the Tainted Blood scandal of a few years ago. Everyone demanded then that the government take action to control the outbreak!
- Consider the situation recently at Maple Leaf Foods. Everyone demanded that the government take action to control the outbreak!
- Consider the Melamine in Pet Food and now in Chinese milk products. Everyone demanded that the government take action to control the situation!
- Despite the ongoing attempts to distribute un-pasteurized milk in Ontario, very few of us seem to be aware that cow's milk was the principle mode of transmission of Tuberculosis, and Louis Pasteur became world famous for his discovery of the process used to destroy the pathogen responsible. Elimination of Tuberculosis, an epidemic at the time, was THE reason for pasteurization of milk back in 1862. It evntually became the norm in an effort to control the Tuberculosis epidemic of the day.
- It was Pasteur who first realized that disease was caused bacteria and that for this reason doctors should wear gloves of rubber to prevent the transmission of their patients sickness to them. While Pasteur did not invent condoms it was his belief in the protection provided by rubber gloves that I am sure inspired the develpment of the rubber condom.
- Many of you will be too young to be aware of this, but not too many years ago, and before a pharmaceutical cure for TB was found, if a school student in Ontario tested positive for Tuberculosis, the Medical Officer of Health was required to have that student removed from that school immediately, and sent to a sanitarium, possibly for years. Then the primary treatment was principally rest. (I remember a classmate being called out of class one day, and within 30 minutes his locker was emptied, he was gone, never to return home for more than 3 years). As a carrier of a pathogen he was removed from society for the protection of others!
- In various countries including Canada, governmental staff also tracked down individuals (as well as all of their contacts), who were thought to be infected with any common diseases, including some STI's which were then known as Venereal Diseases. Once located, the individuals were isolated if necessary, and treated to effect a cure and thereby reduce chances of spreading the disease.
- In view of the successful use of isolation and enforced treatment of diseases in the past, and the near or total elimination of some of the scourges of mankind by these methods, perhaps it is time now for us to give some serious thought to finding an effective new way to help ensure the best possible protection is afforded to the public/society today.
Of course, for such a system to again work successfully, that process must necessarily involve the government!
I have no idea of what that might be! Do you?
I don't think hiding an infection from others will help anyone!
Do you really believe that it would?
Should infected individuals be isolated from society in some way as they once were??
How much less contagion would there have been had that individual in Hamilton been removed from society a few years ago?
?. but honestly, if you have something, you shouldnt be in the business, thats just 
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