In Brazil, you've got mail - and possibly an STD

[August 22, 2009]  RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) -- You've got mail - and possibly an STD. The Brazilian Health Ministry has created a Web site to let people inform partners they've got a sexually transmitted disease via an e-mailed virtual postcard.

The official in charge of the ministry's STD and AIDs programs notes that many people have a hard time telling partners they're infected.

Mariangela Simao said in a statement this week that the e-mails may help people "to tackle these diseases directly and with minimum exposure."

One of the cards shows a young man reclining in his underwear. It reads: "Hi! I don't know if this is the best way to tell you, but I've learned that I have an STD."

The card suggests the recipient see a doctor.

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On the Net:

One of the cards on the Health Ministry's site (in Portuguese):

http://www.aids.gov.br/muitoprazer/index.php?qdiganao

[Associated Press]

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