This is regarding “Unsound barrier; Condoms far from perfect in stopping certain diseases” (RedEye, March 9).
I applaud Maegan Carberry’s article for noting that condoms are highly effective in preventing HIV.
But the tone of the article maligns condoms by positioning them as useless in protecting individuals from other sexually transmitted infections.
By de-emphasizing the importance of condoms, we open the door for individuals to simply decide that condoms are not worth using at all.
Individuals need accurate information about STIs so that they can make informed decisions about their sexual health. Scare tactics that denigrate condoms will only bring disastrous results.
Instead you ought to remind readers that condoms, while not perfect, are currently our best defense against STIs.
According to health experts, condoms can reduce–although not eliminate–the transmission of the human papilloma virus, chlamydia, herpes, syphilis and other diseases.
Condoms may not be the ultimate barrier for all STIs, but they are the best one we have, and the only one that, when used correctly and consistently, is nearly 100 percent effective in blocking the deadly HIV virus.
