What would you tell a friend or loved one who suspected that
she might have an STD but was afraid to get tested?
I have actually lived this exact scenario with a really good
childhood friend of mine. She has always been scared of receiving bad news in
the doctor’s office so she typically puts off treatment especially when she
suspects something is wrong. This phobia of sorts started when we were about 19
and her physician noticed an irregular mole and asked her to follow up with a dermatologist
for a biopsy. She is 27 now and has never had that mole checked because she is
terrified that someone will tell her that she has melanoma.
She called me up one evening and was in hysterics. She had
been very sick with the flu and had a high fever for many days. She was taking
a shower and noticed that she had an outbreak on her genitals. She was very
concerned and she was asking me what I thought it could be. I really didn’t know
what to tell her because I was aware of her phobia of doctors delivering bad
news to her. I assumed that it might be a herpetic outbreak and I’m fairly sure
that she knew that it was as well. But, I lied to her to try and get her to go
see a doctor. I told her that it was probable that while her immune system was
compromised with the flu she was most likely experiencing some sort of
extreme lymphadenopathy. I told her that it would be an easy fix and she needed
to go get a prescription. She sounded relived; she made an appointment and went and
had it checked out. Her diagnosis was in fact Genital Herpes. She did not tell
me this for many weeks; I am sure she was trying to deal with it and process it
for herself. This all happened about 3 years ago. She is doing well with her
diagnosis, and she is very cautious about limiting risks that would spread the disease. Although my method of getting her to seek the help of a medical
professional was very unconventional, I do not think she would have followed up
with a doctor if I had expressed any real concern for her situation.
I think my approach would have been different if it were
anyone else. I most likely would have been more honest and forthcoming with
information about the rationale for getting tested for an STD and the importance
of receiving an accurate diagnosis. I would emphasize the old adage that “early
diagnosis is the key” in an effort to persuade them to get checked.
