Bonnie Lynn Wright, PhD

Herpes is transmitted through coming in contact with the fluid from the blisters the Herpes virus produces.  That means you can get the virus by touching the blisters or touching something that has come in contact with the blisters and then comes in contact with you before it drys out or cools dow

Sex and sexual activity can result in an STD or STI. Oral, anal, vaginal sex can spread an STI because the moist tissues in these areas make it easy for viruses and bacteria to travel from one host to another. But you also have to be careful when sexual activity does not include penetration. "Outercourse"

The pathogen causing the STD or STI (I for Infection) is the same whether the host is an adult or an adolescent. The treatment, therefore, is the same as far as the medications used. The need to trace sexual contacts and to treat both partners at the same time is also the same.

There may be a dif

Domestic violence in its broadest definition includes physical, mental, emotional, economic, and sexual abuse. Each type of abuse is devastating in its own right. None of it is an acceptable part of any relationship but most particularly the relationship that is intended to support and nurture you

It is also important to understand how your pregnancy affects domestic violence. Pregnancy and the birth of a child is a major life event that can trigger violence previously held in check. When the baby comes home, Dad has to share Mom's time and affection, maybe even take a back seat to the needs

One school of thought is that domestic or intimate partner violence is due to a need for power and control on the part of one person over the other. Most often it is the man over a woman but the reverse can be true. As well, domestic violence is also seen in same sex partnerships. That would lead us to

For a very young child, witnessing/listening to domestic violence creates toxic stress which impacts the developing brain architecture. Unless the toxic stress is reduced, the child will be unable to handle stress later on in life and will be vulnerable to a wide variety of health problems, from depression

Go to your personal health care provider, a publicly funded clinic or public health unit. There are also anonymous testing clinics for HIV testing. What type of test needs to be done (blood or swabs) depends on the STI. If you are after peace of mind testing because of multiple partners, get tested

A difficult circumstance if the elder in question is living at home or with the abuser rather than in a licensed facility. This generally involves family dynamics and relationships that may have gone unchallenged for decades. If this is a longstanding problem, the elders may not be able to speak up in

A safety plan helps abused individuals escape from or protect themselves during an abusive event. This is particularly helpful for physical abuse when a person's very existence may at risk. The previously published answer indicates what should be included in a safety plan.

With mental or emotional abuse, there