Dear Counsellor:

I saw a painless sore on my vagina a few weeks after having sexual intercourse with my boyfriend of four years. I went to the doctor and was told I'm infected with syphilis. Is that really true? How could I be infected with syphilis after having sex with one partner for four years?

Faithful Girlfriend

Dear Girlfriend Faithful:

Remember that syphilis is a bacterial infection of the sexual organs and that you get it by having sexual contact, oral, vaginal or anal, with someone who is infected. You are a faithful partner because you are having sex with no one else but your partner. Is he having sex with no one else but you? Remember, it does not matter how many years you have been having sex with your partner, all it takes is one act of unprotected sex and you could be infected with sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. It is important for you to take safer sex seriously. unless you are in a mutually faithful relationship, you are at risk. You have a personal responsibility to protect yourself. Unfortunately, you cannot depend on anyone to protect you.

For more information on condom use, HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections, call the AIDS/STD Helpline at 967-3830, 967-3764 or toll free at

1888-991-4444 or write to AIDS Affairs c/o the Star, 7 North Street, Kingston.