Inspot.org is a site that allows people to contact their past or present sexual partners and inform them they have an STD. The whole process is done through the use of e-cards, which are sent to a list of e-mails. The sender can send the e-card anonymously or, if wanted, the sender’s name can appear in the notification; either way, the site will automatically send some information regarding the closest medical clinics to the one who receives the e-mail. Since the site was launched in 2004, more and more people have used this service to notify sexual partners about a transmitted STD. According to the site’s statistics, more than 30, 000 people have sent approximately 45, 000 cards.

But is this really helping? Is this the way somebody would like to get informed about the possibility of having a sexually transmitted disease? Essentially, this is bad news that can be confused with spam mail. So, once again, is this helping? Some psychologists say that this could do even more damage to one’s spirit. They say the best way of breaking this kind of news to somebody is, and will always be, in person. This shows that a human connection exists, that there is some sort of sentiment, even guilt if you want, it’s a sign of somebody offering moral support. An e-card is just a standardized message that can actually drive people mad.

Others say that especially concerning non-fatal diseases the service is just wonderful and can be seen as a solution as it becomes more and more popular. Sexually Transmitted Disease are still a major health problem in the U.S.A as 10, 000 syphilis cases are reported each ear, 50, 000 cases of HIV infections, 300,000 cases of gonorrhea a year and 1 million cases of Chlamydia.