Cootie Shot

So I've now spent 3 fridays at Mid-Size Suburban Hospital's ER/ED, and there are two patients, very much alike, who have me wondering one simple thing:

Is it REALLY that hard to avoid getting Syphilis?

I mean, although it's an EXCELLENT learning opportunity for ME to give large IM injections of painful antibiotics into the butts of young men, it CANT be a good sign that this many of them are presenting with "testicular pain", burning on urination, or REALLY REALLY OBVIOUS SYPHILIS CHANCRES. One of these young men (23 or so) BROUGHT HIS MOTHER WITH HIM. That must have been one interesting conversation...and makes me really wonder- if he's that big a mamma's boy, why didn't she teach him how to avoid these things?

The OTHER unfortunate young man had his syph shots and promptly went into anyphylactic shock. The intern LOUDLY says, at the nurses station, "well that's ONE way to teach someone about the dangers of STDS!"

So really, people, WEAR A CONDOM. Because as much as I appreciate the practice, your butt is going to be sore for a week.