MS ADVISORY

This simple and direct anti-Aids poster was sent in by Micaela from Mozambique. According to her, this is a poster commonly seen in her hometown of Maputo, the southeastern African nation.

Thanks so much for this. I wish some developed countries had such simple posters because sometimes, to get a strong message through, it doesn't take much creativity.

Missus Singapore out!

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MS ADVISORY

This month's advisory features a poster that was quite controversial. But as it is with most things controversial, it struck a chord with many. I think when dealing with something like AIDS, the only good way to promote safe sex is with a shock effect.

A friend of mine is quite the promiscuous lass but she refuses to use protection. I often bring it up to her but its been five years and she still refuses to do so. I know there is always the risk even with protection but she seems to think she is lucky.

The thing about feeling lucky is with this is that you only need your luck to run out once and you're done in. Friend or not, I just feel that she is being totally irresponsible. But what I won't do, is stop nagging her to take precautions. I hope if you do have a friend like mine, you will do the same.

Missus Singapore out!

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MS ADVISORY

It has been quite sometime since I've posted an anti-AIDs advisory so I've chosen this one - a dutch poster which says a lot. Do we often ask ourselves who our partners have bedded before jumping in the sack with them? I didn't think so. I used to be guilty of it but these days, I'm a lot more cautious.

But of course we can only do so much alone since I read how an increasing number of women are contracting the disease from the husbands. In fact, I recently learnt how two women who had never had sex with anyone other than their husbands, had the disease.

Reckless? Perhaps. Bad luck? Maybe. Careless, most likely. I suppose you can never be too safe with AIDS.

Missus Singapore out!

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MS ADVISORY

'Clean as a whistle!'

That was how the counselor explained the results of my latest HIV test and she said it in an almost nonchalant manner that you would think I'd just had my eyes examined by a impersonal optometrist. Even my green-grocer would show more excitement trying to vendor his freshest produce.

Anyway, as many of you know that this was not a routine test since I had one in May last year. This time however, I was persuaded by a friend who wanted to have herself tested but was too afraid to go in alone. So I decided to do it again but not anonymously. She arranged it all and we did it at a private clinic-lab in Paragon. Classy joint really with great cappuccino.

I think there is a lot of misunderstanding floating around with regards to HIV testing. But to be honest, while the anxiety is normal, those taking the blood could be rather cold. Still, if you think about it, they might probably be doing so to remove the possible ramifications of the tests. It is like any normal time at the polyclinic when you have to get blood taken. So they may purposely doing so to make you feel like its really not a big deal going for a HIV test.

Some people would rather not know if they do have it or not and so stay away from these tests but I feel that is being a little irresponsible especially if you continue to be sexually active. Besides, with all sorts of viral mutations these days - from birds, cows, swines - who is to know if the darn virus has not mutated to survive a journey through the air or via transmission through another third party?

You just can't be too safe these days. Viruses rule the world. Hell, we can't even find a cure for the influenza (common cold)!

Just be safe, and check yourselves up regularly.

Missus Singapore out!

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MS ADVISORY

It's a new year and before we get things started for 2011, I'd just like to take a little time out to highlight the importance of being safe while you're having sex.

In the course of doing some research for a book, I had the opportunity to speak with two people, a man and a woman who are both HIV+. The former contracted it through needle-sharing while the woman had it with a man she had sex with. He was only the second man she had ever had sex with. She was married for six years but got a divorce in 2006.

This other man was an expatriate who frequented Bangkok and Hanoi during that time. He was dignosed with HIV in 2008 and six months later, she too suffered the same fate.

Just remember that a moment's fun could end you in a lifetime of misery. There is really no reason why fun cannot still be had but there is such a thing as smart fun.

Missus Singapore out!

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MS ADVISORY

Here is this month's sex advisory. It is a self-explanatory poster sent in my Marcel who helps run an AIDS Awareness Group in Holland. He started out helping the organisation as a volunteer in 1998 when a friend he knew succumbed to the disease a year earlier. Since then, he has become a full-time staff.

He is open about being gay and admits that even he thought at the time it was a gays-only disease. Ever since he joined the organisation, he has been seeing an increasing number of heterosexuals with AIDS coming in for counselling. According to him, figures show that it has surpassed the growth rates amongst the gay community.

Thanks for sharing this Marcel.

Missus Singapore out!

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