Scared to talk about sexually transmitted diseases? Check out inSPOT.org, a new
Web site where people infected with STDs can send e-cards to their partners
letting them know they might be at risk.
Cap City heard about the site, inaugurated in major cities like Chicago and New
York City and states like Indiana and Florida, and perused its pages earlier
this week.
Users choose from a variety of candid cards — one carries the message, “I got screwed while screwing, you might have too. Get checked for STDs if you
haven’t recently” — and add personal messages, if they want. They send them to everyone they’ve had sex with in the past six months, either anonymously or from their e-mail
address.
Anyone can access inSPOT.org. If users live in one of the site’s affiliate cities or states, information on treatment and local testing
resources automatically comes with the card; if not, users can add local
information themselves.
Don Hunt, director of adult and laboratory services at the Sangamon County
Department of Public Health, says the department uses a similar method, sending
text messages and e-mails to contact possible cases when needed.
This article appears in Nov 20-26, 2008.
