HIV and sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) has launched a fun platform game with an important message for gay and bisexual men. Called Man Up, it reminds us that the more men we have sex with, the more often we should get screened for sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
The addictive game, which can be found on Facebook by searching for Man Up, sees players attempt to bounce between brightly coloured beds without either falling off the screen, or being knocked off by a ‘love bug’. The higher you manage to bounce, the more points you get; but points can only be banked through a visit to the floating clinic.
At key stages in the game, the player receives messages containing important facts on sexual health, including how STIs are transmitted and guidance on how often to test for them. Man Up also includes links to websites with further sexual health information, and a clinic finder with details of players’ nearest screening service.
Cary James, Head of Programmes at Terrence Higgins Trust, said, “It’s best for gay men to go for an STI screen at least once every six months. If you’re having lots of different sexual partners, it’s a good idea to go more often. The sooner you find out you have a sexually transmitted infection (including HIV), the better.
Finding out earlier makes it easier to treat and avoids any long term problems. When asked, nine out of 10 gay men said they would recommend the last sexual health clinic they visited to a friend, so there’s no reason to put off that clinic visit any longer.”