| Frequently Asked Questions |
It is important for gay men/MSM to get tested for STDs and HIV. In 2011, 82% of reported primary and secondary syphilis and 51% of reported gonorrhea was in gay men/MSM . Furthermore, between 2007 and 2011, 75% of all reported HIV infections in SD were gay men/MSM. Gay men/MSM are infected by STDs at alarming rates, and that's why it is important that we all test! You can help by signing up with WeAllTest.com, and letting others in the community know about the program.
WeAllTest.com is a web-based system for gay men in San Diego that allows you to enter your e-mail and or cell phone number to receive regular STD/HIV testing reminders via e-mail and/or text. The reminders are sent out every 3 or 6 months, depending on how often you would like to receive them. The system then sends out messages simply telling you that "it's time to get tested!" The purpose of WeAllTest.com is to stop the spread of STDs among gay men in San Diego. Since many men don't have symptoms when infected with an STD they can transmit the infection to others without even knowing they have it. The only real way to know if you are infected is to get screened. The program was launched by the County of San Diego, Public Health Services and Family Health Centers of San Diego.
No. The reminders are intended to support you in accessing regular testing for all STDs, including HIV. We all test is for everyone! Whether you are HIV negative or HIV positive, it's important to remember when it's time to get screened for STDs. Everyone can become infected with STDs, and people who are HIV positive often have higher rates of STDs when they test. If we all test, then we can stop the spread of STDs.
Yes. The purpose of WeAllTest.com is to stop the spread of STDs. Just because someone is HIV positive doesn't mean they aren't at risk for other STDs. Also, if you know you are HIV positive, regular STDs testing is an important part of staying healthy. Therefore it is a great idea for everyone to sign up to receive reminders from WeAllTest.com regardless of HIV status.
No. Wearing WeAllTest.com apparel, including t-shirts, wristbands, bracelets, or other items with the WeAllTest.com logo, doesn't mean that you have an STD or are HIV positive. What it means is that you care about the health of your community. By signing up and promoting the service it means you are concerned about your health and the health of your community, and that if we all test, we can stop the spread of HIV and STDs!
Signing up for WeAllTest.com to begin receiving STD and HIV testing reminders is easy. Just visit www.wealltest.com, and submit the required information that will allow you to receive e-mail or text message reminders. In addition to an address for e-mail reminders or a cell phone number for text reminders, the system also requires a first name, which can be a nick name or an alias if you do not wish to give your real name. No personal identifying information is requested. Your name, email address and/or phone number will only be used for the purposes of sending syphilis testing reminders and gathering your opinions regarding the 'We All Test' campaign. Your name, email address and/or phone number will not be shared beyond the We All Test team.
Unless you have decided to abstain from sex or a part of a monogamous relationship, we strongly encourage everyone to sign up and continue to receive reminders. However, we also respect that some people may opt to leave the program. You can do this easily by clicking the unsubscribe button at the bottom of each reminder e-mail or replying "stop" to any text message reminder that you receive. You can sign up again at any time in the future.