Keep Yourself Alive - Queen and the Importance of STD Testing

Would STD testing have saved the life of Freddie Mercury? The chances are that it would NOT have since the STD that he caught was HIV/AIDS and there were no reliable treatment options at that time. Still, testing for sexually transmitted diseases should be part of everyone's general health plan (unless, of course, you are a practicing celibate). It's the smart and responsible thing to do.

Queen burst onto the music scene in the early seventies, combining progressive rock with opera undertones meshed with hard driving, straight-up rock & roll. Their sound was not easy to categorize, their lead singer harder still. Farrokh Bulsara-better known as Freddie Mercury-was born in Zanzibar to Zoroastrian parents, but quickly shed both name and religion to become one of the greatest rock front men ever. Living his life with sheer abandon, he eventually passed away from complications due to AIDS on November 24th, 1991-just one day after publicly admitting he was sick from the virus.

Living the life of a rock and roll star certainly came with consequences for Freddie. STD testing would have been the norm for anyone in his position, but his unease regarding his bi-sexuality may have caused him to bury his head in the sand when it came to actions that would have been second nature to anyone else in his position with more traditional sexual proclivities.

Freddie's performances were legendary and he was considered by many to be on a completely different level than his contemporaries. Over their career, Queen played many shows in packed soccer arenas and Freddie had no problem singing directly to the last row as well as the first. Testing the bounds of his chosen genre, he was flamboyant and phenomenal, using his four-octave voice to belt out some of the biggest hits of the time. These hits include We Will Rock You, We Are The Champions and the singular and sensational Bohemian Rhapsody.

For anyone engaging in sexual activity, no matter your age or orientation, or whether in the fast lane or the tortoise freeway, STD testing is a great way to stay on top of your health-and the health of your lovers. Claiming to love someone and then infecting them with a harmful STD is something we should do anything we have to in order to avoid.

There are over twenty five separate diseases that qualify as an STD and chances are that if you engage in sexual activity with more than one person you are going to catch (at least) one of them. Freddie Mercury caught the deadliest of all STDs, and it is possible for anyone to suffer the same consequences as he for lack of testing. Here is a list of just some of the diseases that you should be tested for and their symptoms.

Chlamydia

Chlamydia sufferers may show no symptoms at all, especially in men. In those individuals that do show symptoms they include discharge from the penis or vagina and inflammation of the eyes.

Genital Herpes

Be on the lookout for the presence of blisters and sores on the genitals and their surrounding areas, discharge from the penis or vagina and/or swelling and itching in the infected areas.

Gonorrhea

A bloody or yellowish discharge and a painful burning during urination are this disease's symptoms. The pain has been described as, "pissing razor blades." That'd give me a sheer heart attack.

Genital Warts

Symptoms include small painless bumps on or near the genitals.

Hepatitis B

Obvious symptoms include jaundice (a yellowing of the skin and eyes), fever, joint and muscle pain, headaches and fatigue.

HIV/AIDS

Low fever, night sweats, fatigue, extreme weight loss, red and purplish splotches on the skin.

When it comes to testing for HIV/AIDS who fits the bill? Here is a list of individuals and circumstances that would make you a prime candidate for testing.

• Anyone who engages in unprotected sex

• Anyone who has multiple sexual partners

• Anyone with a history of other sexually transmitted diseases

• Anyone beginning a new sexual relationship

• Victims of rape

• International bi-sexual rock stars

HIV Testing-like all STD testing-is completely safe and quick. Testing is achieved by an analysis of your blood which is scanned for antibodies produced by the immune system when HIV is present. The test is over ninety nine percent accurate. In the case of a positive result, a secondary test is performed using the same blood sample to negate a false positive result.

For those in the New York City area thinking about getting HIV testing in NYC or any STD at all, log onto STD testing in NYC STDCenterNY.com for more information. The clinic is located just blocks from Grand Central Station and thus easily accessible by bus and subway. Or call 1-212-696-5900 to arrange an appointment today. Queen was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in 2001. Freddie Mercury was not there to share in the honor.

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