Unseasonal Illness

I was tickled pink when someone sent me this e-card to share with all of you, because it's true. Many people are scared witless of getting the swine flu, but won't even take the simplest precautions against contracting a sexually transmitted disease. I find it particularly amusing when individuals are willing to humiliate themselves by wearing face masks in public (more useful if you're the one with the flu than if you're trying to avoid it) but are too embarrassed to discuss or practice safe sex.

I don't mean to negate people's worried about swine flu, or the regular flu, but STDs are something that individuals should be concerned about all year. If you're willing to get a vaccine, avoid work, or carry a giant bottle of hand sanitizer everywhere you go, is it really so difficult to just buy a condom?

• STD 101
• How to Have Safe Sex
• Condom Buyer's Guide