Korean Job Discussion Forums

[umpittse]

What do you believe or know are the most common STD's in Korea? I'm not in Korea yet but am wondering about this issue.

[jcan]

I don't know but STD tests are really expensive at the International Clinic (over 100,000 won). So be extra careful when you do get here so you won't have any need to shell out that kind of dough.

[rokricky]

I think that sex education is likely zero to nil here which means youth are uneducated about STDs and condom usage ect... It's amazing how little some people know about STDs, something which I always thought was common knowledge among my age group. It seems young Koreans are completely oblivious to the STDs you could catch even if you use protection. In Korea, condoms prevent pregnancy, but if you get knocked up there's an quick solution for that as well. There is also this widely accepted idea that incidence of STDs, including HIV, is very low in Korea , so no need to protect oneself. THIS IS NOT TRUE. I know two people who have gotten serious STDs in Korea, from a Korean (not trying to point the finger at anyone but it's not only foreigners carrying diseases). As a result of this lack of knowledge (which is an assumption based on personal observation) I imagine, STDs are running rampant in Korea. I fear that Korea is in an extremely vulnerable position with regard to HIV. There are so many stigmas surrounding it, so I think people are highly unlikely to get tested if they think they may have contracted the disease (they risk losing their job). If we contract HIV, as foreign teachers, we could risk being deported. Anyway... sorry about the rant but this is something I feel pretty strongly about: The necessity of sex education. So in Korea, and anywhere else in the world, USE CONDOMS.....it's not worth the risk.

[Bryan]

[jkelly80]

They have herpes here, only it's called gimcherpes.

[bassexpander]

Chlamydia is common here.

You can get a lower-priced test for the basic STD's if you go to the "other" international clinic. It's less than 40,000 won, and although the clinic is old-fashioned, they send the tests out to a very good lab. You can find it directly across the street from the Goldfish Bar, and on the 3rd floor above the LG (or maybe it's family mart) convenience store in Itaewon.

[samcheokguy]

-hookers let you bareback for an extra fee here...I've 'heard.'

[Beej]

The Black Clap. The discharge burns holes in your underwear.

[waltjocketty]

STDs are aphrodisiacs in Korea, so enjoy! 파이팅!!

[Bread]

If you're not vaccinated for hepatitis B, do it. I think something like 10% of the population has it here.

[gteacher]

[Join Me]

1. Korean men do not like using condoms. 2. There is a large prostitution industry here. Just like anywhere in the world STDs (including HIV) are an issue here. If you are not protecting yourself EVERY TIME you have sex you are living dangerously. Don't expect any sympathy from the Korean government either. If a Korean contracts HIV, they get free medical care for life. If a you contract HIV while in Korea, you get a plane ticket back to your country.

Live wisely and take responsibility for your own actions while in Korea and you will have no problems.

[Davew125]

[MrRogers]

people here are aslo ignorant about Hepatitis C for which there is no vaccination

it is transmitted through blood

they are ignorant of it (eventual deterioration of the liver/sometimes cancer) or think that Koreans don't have it

when I went to a health clinic in this area a few days ago for a flu shot, I asked the nice English-speaking doctor, who was instructing the nurse who was not wearing gloves, if she could please have the nurse wear gloves - for you know - contagious disease that are in blood - like how do they know I don't have something or how do I know whether they have something - and what if there is a scratch or cut and/or there is blood from her fingers or my needle skin hole - hello -

the doctor told me very nicely that "...that is not a problem around here - we don't need to use gloves - it's okay..."

all these diseases are unknowns until people are tested - so the idea behind modern health care practices of using gloves, etc., - is to assume the anything is possible - anywhere in the world!

[Paji eh Wong]

Since no one has said it yet:

Kids!