People send e-cards for birthdays, holidays or to express a simple "thinking of you."
Now, an increasing number of people are sending virtual cards to inform past sexual partners they may have a sexually transmitted disease.
Although an e-card may not be the best way to break such sensitive news, the goal of the Web site inSpot.org is to get people tested and treated, said Migling Cuervo, an epidemiologist at the Florida Department of Health Bureau of Sexually Transmitted Diseases.
The site's Florida section was launched in May 2007.
The site, developed by the nonprofit company Internet Sexuality Information Services, includes customized Web sites for nine U.S. cities, 10 states and three international sites.
The Florida Department of Health Bureau of STDs maintains the content on the inSpot Florida site.
"Any additional tool that we can use to power individuals in Florida is a wonderful thing," said Sherese Bleechington, statewide health educator at the Florida Department of Health.
Each city, state and international Web site offers a choice of six different e-cards. The sender chooses the STD to which they may have exposed their partner and can include a personal message before sending it anonymously or with their e-mail address.
The recipient of the card is then directed to a page with disease-specific information.
Samantha Evans, a GatorWell Health Promotion specialist, said the Web site is an effective method for reaching partners who might otherwise be unreachable and for those who want to remain anonymous.
According to a report in the Public Library of Science Medicine journal, more than 30,000 people have sent more than 49,500 e-cards through inSpot since its launch in 2004.
Evans said the site does have its share of problems.
For example, some of the cards make a joke out of a serious situation, such as one card that reads, "I got screwed while screwing, you might have too. Get checked for STDs if you haven't recently."
Evans said students don't take advantage of the STD testing and treatment services offered by UF's student health center.
The Student Health Care Center performed about 520 HIV tests and 1,000 chlamydia tests between Jan. 1 and June 30. Evans says that number is low when compared to the 50,000 or so students on campus.
While the traditional method of telling a sexual partner is in person, Evans said the bottom line is that people should be notified and go for testing.
