About Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Gene Transfer Technology May Lead To HIV Vaccine

2009-05-31T11:46:00.000-07:00

A research team may have broken the stubborn impasse that has frustrated the invention of an effective HIV vaccine, by using an approach that bypasses the usual path followed by vaccine developers. By using gene transfer technology that produces molecules that block infection, the scientists protected monkeys from infection by a virus closely related to HIV—the simian immunodeficiency virus, or SIV—that causes AIDS in rhesus monkeys.

"We used a leapfrog strategy, bypassing the natural immune system response that was the target of all previous HIV and SIV vaccine candidates," said study leader Philip R. Johnson, M.D., chief scientific officer at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Johnson developed the novel approach over a ten-year period, collaborating with K. Reed Clark, Ph.D., a molecular virologist at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.

Johnson cautioned that many hurdles remain before the technique used in this animal study might be translated into an HIV vaccine for humans. If the technique leads to an effective HIV vaccine, such a vaccine may be years away from realization.

Most attempts at developing an HIV vaccine have used substances aimed at stimulating the body's immune system to produce antibodies or killer cells that would eliminate the virus before or after it infected cells in the body. However, clinical trials have been disappointing. HIV vaccines have not elicited protective immune responses, just as the body fails on its own to produce an effective response against HIV during natural HIV infection.

The approach taken in the current study was divided into two phases. In the first phase, the research team created antibody-like proteins (called immunoadhesins) that were specifically designed to bind to SIV and block it from infecting cells. Once proven to work against SIV in the laboratory, DNA representing SIV-specific immunoadhesins was engineered into a carrier virus designed to deliver the DNA to monkeys. The researchers chose adeno-associated virus (AAV) as the carrier virus because it is a very effective way to insert DNA into the cells of a monkey or human.

VIA: Sciencedaily

AIDS patients with serious complications benefit from early retroviral use, study shows

2009-05-17T12:11:00.000-07:00

HIV-positive patients who don't seek medical attention until they have a serious AIDS-related condition can reduce their risk of death or other complications by half if they get antiretroviral treatment early on, according to a new multicenter trial led by researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine.

The study results could lead to widespread changes in treatment for HIV patients, particularly those diagnosed at an advanced stage, experts say.

"Even in San Francisco, one of the first epicenters of HIV in the United States, we still find that many people present late in the course of their illness with an opportunistic infection," said Mitch Katz, MD, San Francisco's director of health, who was not involved in the study. "This study shows that it is life-saving to treat those persons with antiretroviral drugs while they are still in the hospital. The results of this study will change practices throughout the world."

Some 60,000 to 70,000 newly HIV-infected individuals are identified every year in the United States, according to recently revised figures from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A growing number of these patients, particularly minorities, youth, injection-drug users and those in poor rural areas, are being diagnosed late in the disease process when they've already developed life-threatening conditions, said Andrew Zolopa, MD, associate professor of infectious diseases and geographic medicine at Stanford and first author of the study. When these patients come for treatment of these complications, doctors are often reluctant to give them anti-AIDS drugs at the same time, fearing the two therapies could interfere with one another.

"A lot of people wait, thinking, 'Let's get the patient out of acute crisis, and then we'll deal with the underlying HIV infection later,'" said Zolopa. "But that answer is wrong. If we're more aggressive with HIV drugs, we can reduce AIDS-related complications and death by 50 percent. It's a substantial clinical benefit."

The study was conducted by the AIDS Clinical Trials Group, the world's largest clinical trial organization. Results will be published May 18 in the online journal PLoS-ONE.

William Powderly, MD, dean of medicine at the University College Dublin School of Medicine, said the study addresses one of the last, longstanding unknowns in the management of AIDS.

"Clinicians have long grappled with the question of whether or not early treatment with antiviral drugs will help people who come to the hospital with advanced infections, such as pneumonia," said Powderly, the study's senior author. "The answer is clearly yes. Early antiviral treatment for HIV improves the clinical outcome, including the likelihood of surviving in the next few months. It probably does so by improving the immune system and therefore adds to the ability to resist these infections."

VIA : Physorg

Study shows that HIV antiretroviral treatment should start earlier

2009-04-11T22:23:00.000-07:00

A new analysis of more than 45,000 people with HIV in Europe and North America suggests that the minimum CD4-cell count threshold for initiation of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) should be 350 cells per µL of blood. This is at the upper limit of levels for starting cART currently recommended in many countries.

The findings are published in an article in an upcoming edition of The Lancet, written by Jonathan Sterne, Professor of Medical Statistics and Epidemiology, University of Bristol, and colleagues from the When To Start Consortium of observational cohort studies of people with HIV.

The CD4-cell count at which cART should be started is a central, unresolved issue in the care of HIV-1 infected patients.

In the absence of randomised controlled trials, the authors analysed data from 18 prospective studies from Europe and North America, of which 15 provided eligible patients who had not previously been treated with antiretroviral drugs. Patients were included if they had started cART (while AIDS-free, with a CD4-cell count less than 550 cells per µLm and with no history of injecting-drug use) on or after January 1, 1998. Data from patients followed up in seven cohorts in the era before the introduction of cART were used to estimate the relationship between when treatment started and AIDS related events or death.

Data was obtained for 21,247 patients who were followed up during the era before the introduction of cART and 24,444 patients who were followed up from the start of treatment. Deferring combination therapy until a CD4-cell count of 251-350 cells per µL was associated with a 28 per cent higher rate of AIDS and death than starting therapy in the range 351-450 cells per µL. The adverse effect of deferring treatment increased with decreasing CD4-cell count threshold. Deferred initiation of combination therapy in the above ranges was also associated with higher mortality rates (13 per cent), though the effect on mortality was less than the effect on the combined endpoint of AIDS and death.

The authors said: “When patients and their physicians consider starting antiretroviral treatment, they must balance its beneficial effects on rates of progression to AIDS and death with several other issues. Eradication of HIV from an individual is not currently possible; therefore, treatment is expected to be lifelong. Antiretroviral drugs can be inconvenient to take, and have side effects that include nausea, diarrhoea and headache. Combination antiretroviral therapy is associated with serious toxic effects including redistribution of body fat, hepatitis, renal failure and mitochondrial toxicity, and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. However, these toxic effects are to an extent avoidable through choice of drug regimen.

VIA : Physorg

Scientists Find Rare, Potent Antibody to HIV-1

2009-03-01T02:11:00.000-08:00

Scientists at Duke University Medical Center have for the first time isolated an important antibody in human serum that could potentially play a key role in the design of an AIDS vaccine. The research appears as a highlighted feature online in the Journal of Virology.

"The 2F5-like antibody is one of the gold standards for what an HIV vaccine needs to induce, but no one had ever found it before circulating in the blood of infected patients," says Georgia Tomaras, PhD, associate professor of surgery, immunology and molecular genetics and microbiology in the Duke Human Vaccine Institute and the senior author of the study.

The 2F5 antibody is especially valuable because previous research has shown it can successfully neutralize 80 percent of transmitted HIV viruses.

Now that researchers have found the antibody in circulating blood, Tomaras says they might be able to find ways to duplicate or enhance it, thereby boosting the body's defense system.

2F5-like antibodies belong to a class of immune cells called broadly neutralizing antibodies, one of the body's most powerful responses to infection. Only a small fraction of patients with HIV make these antibodies and they typically appear many months after initial transmission of the virus - at a point when scientists feel it is too late to do much good.

Tomaras, working closely with lead author Xiaoying Shen, led a team of researchers who examined the antibodies present in 300 patients infected with HIV-1. They found only one patient who had developed 2F5-like antibodies, supporting the notion that they are, indeed, very rare.

Researchers discovered that the 2F5-like antibody was potent enough to block multiple strains of HIV in the laboratory, but researchers say they are not entirely clear if it played any part in controlling the virus in the patient who carried it.

The scientists were also struck by another discovery: The 2F5-like antibodies arose concurrently with particular autoantibodies that may be a clue as to why these antibodies developed in this person and not in others.

VIA : Physorg

HIV is evolving to evade human immune responses

2009-03-01T02:09:00.000-08:00

HIV is evolving rapidly to escape the human immune system, an international study led by Oxford University has shown. The findings, published in Nature, demonstrate the challenge involved in developing a vaccine for HIV that keeps pace with the changing nature of the virus.

‘The extent of the global HIV epidemic gives us a unique opportunity to examine in detail the evolutionary struggle being played out in front of us between an important virus and humans,’ says lead researcher Professor Philip Goulder of the Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research at Oxford University.

‘Even in the short time that HIV has been in the human population, it is doing an effective job of evading our best efforts at natural immune control of the virus. This is high-speed evolution that we’re seeing in the space of just a couple of decades.’

HIV has already killed 25 million people, and an estimated 33 million are currently infected. However, HIV does not kill all people at the same rate. On average, an adult with HIV will survive for ten years without anti-HIV drugs before developing AIDS. But some people will progress to AIDS within 12 months while others can make effective immune responses to the virus and survive without any anti-HIV therapy for over 20 years.

Genes encoding a key set of molecules in the human immune system called the human leucocyte antigens (HLA) are critically important. HLA determine the progress of many infectious diseases including HIV, and enable the recognition and killing of HIV-infected cells. Humans differ from each other in the exact HLA genes they have, and small differences can make the difference in how long it takes to progress to AIDS.

The research team set out to determine whether HIV is adapting to human immune responses. They looked at HIV genetic sequences in different countries around the world, including the UK, South Africa, Botswana, Australia, Canada, and Japan, wanting to see whether the HIV sequences could be related to the different HLA genes present in the different populations.

The collaboration between Oxford University, the Ragon Institute at Massachusetts General Hospital, Kumamoto University in Japan, the Royal Perth Hospital and Murdoch University in Australia and others analysed the genetic sequences of the HIV virus and human leucocyte antigen (HLA) genes in over 2,800 people. The work was funded by a number of organisations including the Wellcome Trust, the Medical Research Council, the US National Institutes of Health, and Oxford’s James Martin 21st Century School.

VIA : Physorg

Trojan's Evolve One Evolve All Campaign Encourages Social Media for Social Good

2008-12-10T10:08:00.000-08:00

Using social media for good has gotten a lot easier lately. By sharing stories with your friends, watching videos, taking quizzes, and donating some time of yourself, you may be able to help those less fortunate too. Trojan is making that happen with its Evolve One Evolve All STD Awareness Campaign. Those less fortunate can get free condoms -- just by you taking less than 2 minutes out of your day to watch a video, send an email to a friend, or to take a quiz.

Here's how it works. The Evolve One Evolve All site has a variety of parts. There are videos to watch (you can upload your videos too), you can rate videos, you can take the pledge to practice safe sex, or you can share the site with a friend. For all of these different activities, Trojan will set aside condoms to give those who can't buy them -- for free.

The breakdown is as follows:
* 1 condom will be donated for a comment left on each video
* 1 condom will be donated for a rating left on each video
* 2 condoms will be donated if you take the quiz on the site
* 2 condoms will be donated if you make the pledge
* 3 condoms will be donated if you forward the site to a friend. Each friend = 3 more condoms!
* 5 condoms will be donated if you upload a video

What are you waiting for? It's definitely a way to use social media for the public good, and time is running out!

Good News - Not All Genital Warts Are Caused By STDs

2007-08-19T08:03:00.000-07:00

When a man who is not active sexually finds that he has warts on his penis, he may be confused and panicked. But, most people don't realize that warts on your penis may not be caused by an STD. It is possible that they are caused by one of several skin conditions.

These nonvenereal warts often look exactly like sexually transmitted warts. Often, warts on the penis are caused by HPV, or papillomavirus, a sexually transmitted disease. A layman can't tell the difference, but any dermatologist can tell you which is which.

Psoriasis is a skin condition where warts and lesions appear in certain areas of the body due to dry skin. You will often find these warts on the scrotum, penis itself or rectal area, the same places sexually transmitted warts appear. You may also experience itching and skin irritation around the wart. You may notice that the itching comes and goes. If you suffer from psoriasis, you probably will have other similar lesions on other parts of the body. Most commonly these are found on the back, knees or elbows.

Lichen planus is another non-sexually transmitted condition which may produce warts on the penis. These have a certain look; they are often flat on top, polygonal and slightly scaled. As with psoriasis, those who suffer from lichen planus often have similar skin trouble on different parts of the body.

These conditions are usually harmless and the warts usually disappear by themselves without treatment. But, in certain cases, they may become more numerous. If this happens, you should definitely talk to your doctor about treatment. Often, the same kinds of treatment are used for both venereal and nonvenereal warts such as these. The options are the same; chemicals, surgery or laser treatment to remove the warts. The main point of this treatment is to simply reduce the discomfort on your penis.

There are also medications which may be prescribed by your doctor for you to treat your penile warts by yourself at home. These are almost always used by prescription only. There are also over-the-counter drugs used to treat warts, but most doctors recommend not using them. If used incorrectly, the result can be serious pain and worsening of the problem. When you are being treated for penile warts, or during times when you are suffering from an outbreak, you should always wear loose clothes and cotton underwear. This will keep the affected areas from becoming irritated, and it goes for both HPV and nonvenereal warts.

If you aren't a sexually active person, but you find that you have warts on your penis, talk to your doctor about treating the problem. Don't be ashamed and feel like you picked it up somewhere. Cases of non-venereal genital warts are quite common.

Bacterial Vaginosis: What Every Woman Should Know

2007-08-19T08:00:00.000-07:00

What is bacterial vaginosis (BV)?

Bacterial vaginosis, also called BV is the most common vaginal infection in women of childbearing age. It happens when the normal balance of bacteria in the vagina is disrupted and replaced by an overgrowth of certain bacteria.

What causes BV?

The cause of BV is not understood. Bacterial vaginosis is not caused by a particular organism but by a change in the balance of normal vaginal bacteria or a change in the PH balance.(Vaginal PH is usually between 3.8-4.5). Bacterial vaginosis is caused by an overgrowth of harmful bacteria in the vagina due to the depletion of lactobacillus. The vagina normally contains a lot of good bacteria called lactobacilli and some other bacteria called anaerobes. Too many anaerobes can cause this imbalance. Bacterial vaginosis is most common among sexually active women although this is not always the case. You are more at risk of getting BV if you have multiple sex partners, have an intrauterine device as birth control or if you douche.

What are the signs of BV?

Women with BV may have an abnormal vaginal discharge with an unpleasant odor. Some women report a strong fishy odor, especially after sexual intercourse. Irritation and burning when urinating is also common. Some women with BV have no symptoms at all.

How can I find out if I have BV?

There are several test that can be done to establish whether a woman has BV. These include a WET MOUNT TEST where a sample of vaginal discharge is mixed with a salt solution and placed on a microscope slide. The slide is then examined for CLUE CELLS. The presence of clue cells indicates that you have BV.

Another test commonly used is a WHIFF TEST. This involves dropping potassium hydroxide solutions to a sample of vaginal discharge. A fishy odor on a whiff test suggests BV. Also a rise in vaginal PH above 4.5 can often indicate BV. Normal vaginal PH is usually between 3.8-4.5.

* The presence of clue cells, increased PH and a positive whiff test are enough evidence to treat BV.

Is it safe to treat pregnant women who have BV?

All pregnant women with symptoms of BV or who have had a premature delivery or low birth weight baby in the past should be tested for BV and treated if they have it.

SHOULD BV BE TREATED?

YES. Although BV causes no complications in most cases, there can be serious problems if left untreated:

* There is an increased risk of miscarriage during pregnancy or premature delivery (before 37th week)

* There is a risk of developing Pelvic inflammatory disease or PID. This is an infection that can affect a woman's uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes, which carry eggs from the ovaries to the uterus.

* Higher risk of getting other STDs. Having BV can increase the chances of getting other STDs, such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, and HIV.

* It can also cause discomfort during sex which can lead to high anxiety and low self esteem.

HOW CAN I PREVENT BV

BV is not well understood by scientists, and the best ways to prevent it are unknown. What is known is that BV is associated with having a new sex partner or having multiple sex partners.

HERE ARE SOME SOME IDEAS TO HELP YOU LOWER YOUR RISK:

* Don't douche. Douching removes some of the normal bacteria in the vagina that protects you from infection. This may increase your chances of getting BV. It may also increase the chances of BV coming back after treatment.Most douches also contain hydrogen low concentration (PH) which deviates from the normal level, making you prone to more Bacterial vaginosis.

* Have regular pelvic exams. Talk with your doctor about how often you need them. Many tests for STDs can be done during an exam.

* If you are pregnant and have symptoms of BV or had a premature delivery or low birth weight baby in the past, get tested for BV. Get tested as soon as you think you may be pregnant.

* Avoid using biological washing powder. Washing powder contains harsh chemicals which can irritate your vagina.

* Avoid vaginal deodorants as they can irritate the mucous membranes. They can make your vagina dry and itchy and can cause allergic reaction.

* Intra-uterine device or IUD for short can put you at increased risk of vaginal or uterine infections. If you are prone to repeated attacks of bacterial vaginosis and you have one fitted, try and talk to your Doctor about other methods of contraception.

* Finish your medicine. If you have BV, finish all the medicine that you are given to treat it. Even if you feel better.

How is BV treated?

Most common treatment for BV is with antibiotics, which are medicines prescribed by your doctor. Your doctor may give you either metronidazole or clindamycin. Antiobitics does have its place in treating bacterial vaginosis. However for many women they get repeated attacks and end up taking antibiotics over and over again. There is then the risk of developing antiboitic resistance which can be potentially dangerous.

The key to treating BV is to deal with the root cause of your infection and make simple changes to your lifestyle. Encourage healing with a healthy diet, regular exercise, no smoking, daily exposure to the sun, enough sleep and effective stress management. Have regular cervical smears as bacterial vaginosis can encourage abnormal cervix cells.

Sex Tip: Sexually Transmitted Disease What you need to be safe and healthy NOW

2007-08-19T07:54:00.000-07:00

The repetitive dire messages about "safe sex" have waned a bit in recent years, compared to the all-out media assault surrounding the explosion of sexually transmitted disease a couple of decades back. But with the message generally off the front pages, does that mean things have gotten safer? Or that you can let your guard down?

The answer is an emphatic NO. In fact, quite the opposite -- sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are more widespread than ever, and are some of the most widespread diseases both in the United States and the world. Statistics show that about 2/3's of all STDs are originally contracted by people younger than 25 years old, but since many STDs have no cure or go undetected for years, age alone is not a predictor of a person's sexual health status. In fact, STDs strike every age group, culture, and people from all walks of life. All it takes is exposure to an STD through sexual contact via the genitals, the mouth (oral), or the rectum (anal).

Your risk goes up if you have more than one sex partner or do not use condoms. Probably that is common knowledge. Yet many people rely on the sworn word of their prospective partner rather than on protecting themselves.

Here's a quick reference list of STDs. Be aware that quite often, there are no signs or symptoms:

* Chlamydia * Genital herpes * Genital warts or human papillomavirus (HPV). Certain high-risk types of HPV can cause cervical cancer in women. * Gonorrhea * Hepatitis B * Syphilis * Trichomoniasis * Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which causes AIDS.

Other infections that may be sexually transmitted include hepatitis A, cytomegalovirus, scabies, pubic lice, molluscum contagiosum, bacterial vaginosis, Mycoplasma genitalium, and possibly hepatitis C.

As if that list isn't scary enough, you should be aware that many of the STDs caused by viruses, such as herpes, can be treated but not cured. Once you contract it, you'll have it for the rest of your life. The bacterial STDs like Chlamydia can be cleared up with antibiotics and other treatments, but that doesn't mean you'll never get it again. You can be re-infected as many times as you are exposed. And a final discouraging word: once you have one STD, such as genital warts, you are at even greater risk of picking up HIV.

But despite these sobering facts, new infection rates are at an all-time high. In fact, studies show that between 12% and 25% of sexually active teen girls test positive for Chlamydia, and as many as 30% to 50% of sexually active teenagers have been infected with the human papillomavirus (HPV), a mostly asymptomatic disease that can cause cancers and reproductive problems later. What can you do?

Genital self-examination Get in the habit of checking the look and feel of your genitals and surrounding tissues at least once a month. It's important to begin doing this now, to determine what's normal for you (everyone's a bit different) and to make sure you'll notice if anything changes.

Stay healthy Obviously, you want to be responsible and avoid coming into contact with disease. Along with using condoms and knowing your partners' sexual history (two definite MUSTs on your stay healthy list) you can also lower your risk of trouble by keeping your immune system strong and overall health excellent. You'll also notice that taking better care of yourself overall creates greater self-respect and less willingness to take chances with your health.

Get regular checkups, keep your weight in check, eat unprocessed foods as much as possible, and make an effort to get any use of drugs or alcohol under control. That includes caffeine, tobacco, OTC drugs - and even if you don't think you have a problem with alcohol or recreational drugs, take a serious look at your lifestyle choices.

Fortify your sexual health by taking supplements designed specifically for keeping your reproductive system in peak condition. While natural supplements won't cure STDs, they may help make you less susceptible to infection, by working to make for a healthier, better-performing sexual YOU. VigRX™ and VigRX Plus™ pills are used by countless men for the benefits to their sexual performance, but many don't know that VigRX™ and VigRX Plus™, as natural herbal formulas, could boost your overall well-being and therefore the proper functioning of your reproductive organs. Semenax™ is another favorite among the top of all male enhancement supplements. View comments and reviews from some of the users of these products at BetterSexMall.com.

Use lube! You know that condoms help prevent the transmission of disease - but did you know that the correct lube can make them even more effective? Here's why: Lack of lubrication can cause condoms to break, thereby leaving you wide open to infections. Also, low lubrication can cause tiny tears in the vagina or rectum during sex, again exposing your bloodstream to STDs. Use lube, but always, always make sure you choose a condom-safe one (petroleum jelly and mineral oil based lubes actually make things worse, since they cause condoms to deteriorate). For even better results, get more from your lube by choosing Maxoderm™ or VigRX Oil™ - both great for slipperiness with the added bonus of making you harder and longer lasting.

Know your healthcare resources Many people - especially young adults -- don't have a regular doctor. Yet any suspicious change to your body or any recent high-risk sexual activity means you must get some professional help from a healthcare provider. Make note of these resources to get information on STD evaluation and treatment; check the phone book, search online or call a nearby hospital for information:

Local health departments that have STD clinics.

Family planning clinics, such as Planned Parenthood (1-800-230-PLAN [1-800-230-7526]).

Free or low-cost clinics for reproductive health care.

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention STD hot line (1-800-227-8922, 1-800-342-2437) or website: http://www.cdc.gov/std.

Prevent spread of disease If you suspect you may have symptoms of an STD: Do not have sexual contact or activity. Not only will you keep from spreading infection to others, but you'll lower the risk of making your infection and symptoms worse.

Women should not douche, since douching changes the normal balance of bacteria in the vagina and may push an infection up into your uterus or fallopian tubes. This could worsen the infection or even cause pelvic inflammatory disease.

See a healthcare professional as soon as possible if you have symptoms. You'll have a better, more informative and helpful appointment if you make exact note of your symptoms, when they started and what your exact sexual history is. Take this info to your appointment, and don't be afraid or ashamed to be asking for help. These folks are right there to help you. They want to lend a hand!

Notes on AIDS and HIV

2007-07-10T11:54:00.000-07:00

In 1981, scientists in the United States and France first recognized the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), which was later discovered to be caused by a virus called the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). HIV breaks down the body's immunity to infections leading to AIDS. The virus can lie hidden in the body for up to 10 years without producing any obvious symptoms or before developing into the AIDS disease, and in the meantime the person can unknowingly infect others. Currently, an estimated 40 million people worldwide are HIV carriers, and three million a year are dying of AIDS.

HIV lives in white blood cells and is present in the sexual fluids of humans. It's difficult to catch and is spread mostly through sexual intercourse, by needle or syringe sharing among intravenous drug users, in blood transfusions, and during pregnancy and birth (if the mother is infected). Using another person's razor blade or having your body pierced or tattooed are also risky, but the HIV virus cannot be transmitted by shaking hands, kissing, cuddling, fondling, sneezing, cooking food, or sharing eating or drinking utensils. One cannot be infected by saliva, sweat, tears, urine, or feces; toilet seats, telephones, swimming pools, or mosquito bites do not cause AIDS. Ostracizing a known AIDS victim is not only immoral but also absurd.

Most blood banks now screen their products for HIV, and you can protect yourself against dirty needles by only allowing an injection if you see the syringe taken out of a fresh unopened pack. The simplest safeguard during sex is the proper use of a latex condom. Unroll the condom onto the erect penis; while withdrawing after ejaculation, hold onto the condom as you come out. Never try to recycle a condom, and pack a supply with you, as it can be a nuisance trying to buy them on short notice.

HIV is spread more often through anal than vaginal sex, because the lining of the rectum is much weaker than that of the vagina, and ordinary condoms sometimes tear when used in anal sex. If you have anal sex, only use extra-strong condoms and special water-based lubricants, since oil, Vaseline, and cream weaken the rubber. During oral sex you must make sure you don't get any semen or menstrual blood in your mouth. A woman runs 10 times the risk of contracting AIDS from a man than the other way around, and the threat is always greater when another sexually transmitted disease (STD) is present.

The very existence of AIDS calls for a basic change in human behavior. No vaccine or drug exists that can prevent or cure AIDS, and because the virus mutates frequently, no remedy may ever be totally effective. Other STDs such as syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, hepatitis B, and herpes are far more common than AIDS and can lead to serious complications such as infertility, but at least they can usually be cured.

You should always practice safe sex to prevent AIDS and other STDs. You never know who is infected or even if you yourself have become infected. It's important to bring the subject up before you start to make love. Make a joke out of it by pulling out a condom and asking your new partner, "Say, do you know what this is?" Or perhaps, "Your condom or mine?" Far from being unromantic or embarrassing, you'll both feel more relaxed with the subject off your minds, and it's much better than worrying afterwards if you might have been infected. The golden rule is safe sex or no sex.

An HIV infection can be detected through a blood test, because the antibodies created by the body to fight off the virus can be seen under a microscope. It takes at least three weeks for the antibodies to be produced and in some cases as long as six months before they can be picked up during a screening test. If you think you may have run a risk, you should discuss the appropriateness of a test with your doctor. It's always better to know if you are infected so as to be able to avoid infecting others, to obtain early treatment of symptoms, and to make realistic plans. If you know someone with AIDS, you should give them all the support you can (there's no danger in such contact unless blood is present).

About the author :

David Stanley is the original author of Lonely Planet guidebooks to Eastern Europe, Cuba, and Canada's Maritime Provinces. His personal collection of Cuba travel photos is on Cuba Pictures.

You have permission to publish this article electronically or in print, free of charge, so long as the byline and resource box are included. Please do not use this article without the byline and resource

A Simple Overview To Genital Herpes And How To Talk To Your Children About It

2007-07-10T11:45:00.000-07:00

Genital herpes is one of the most commonly occurring Sexually Transmitted Diseases in the world and it is caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus.

There are two variations of the virus: type 1 also referred to as HSV-1 and type 2 commonly known as HSV-2. Type 1 which is the reason behind the cold sores you might see people sporting on their lips and type 2 which is most commonly responsible for genital herpes.

Genital herpes has no preference when it comes to gender, age or social status. It affects men and women, teenagers and adults, single and married people.

A person can only get infected during sexual contact with someone who is already infected. The most common way to transmit the HSV virus is thru sexual intercourse. Sexual intercourse can be vaginal, anal or oral sex. Most people have none to very minimal signs or symptoms from type 1 or type 2 infections. When signs do occur, they tend to appear as small blisters in the pubic and anal region of the person infected. These blisters break leaving sores that may take several weeks to heal. In most cases, the first outbreak is the most severe with signs and symptoms that include flu-like symptoms, fever and swollen glands. Outbreaks tend to happen less often and less severe over time.

When a person has an outbreak, which means that the blisters are present, they are more likely to transmit the disease. That doesn't mean that someone who is infected with genital herpes and doesn't have blisters is safe. They're not. Safe sex practices do need to be followed regardless of the presence of blisters.

The only accurate way to be diagnosed with genital herpes is by getting a blood test though most diagnosis are visual when sores are present. When you are diagnosed with genital herpes you may view that as the end of your sexual life. It's not. Many people live with this condition and enjoy active intimate lives. There are multiple sites dedicated to introduce singles with herpes for dating.

Some surprising facts about genital herpes that many people aren't aware of include:

* Approximately 1 million people are infected with genital herpes each year. * In the United States it's estimated that 1 in 5 people are infected with genital herpes. * Type-2 infections are more common in women than in men. * Up to 90% of people who are infected with genital herpes aren't aware of it.

In order to manage this condition you do need to be diagnosed by a doctor. That's the first step towards treatment. Although there isn't an available cure for genital herpes it can be managed by oral medication known as suppressive therapy.

If you are a parent, you shouldn't wait to start talking to your children about genital herpes and do not expect their school to educate them about STDs. It is best to start educating your children when they are in their pre-teen or early teen years.

If your partner or child confides in you that he or she may have genital herpes or you suspect that you may be infected, plan a visit to your physician as soon as possible.

Quick Look At The Possible Causes Of Infertility

2007-07-10T11:40:00.000-07:00

The causes of infertility can be various and involve either just one of the partners, or both of them:

Man or woman exposure to DES, a medication taken by their mothers to prevent miscarriage

Man's reproductive system problems

Woman's fallopian tubes problems

Woman's uterus and cervix problems

Ovulation problems

Statistics show that 40 percent of the cases of infertility in women are due to their ability to ovulate and other 40 percent are caused by fallopian tubes or pelvic disorders.

In the couples affected by infertility half the cases are caused by woman's dysfunctions of the fallopian tubes, uterus or ovaries and one third of the cases are caused by the man's reproductive tract dysfunctions. In the rest of the cases, both the partners contribute to the infertility.

Unusual problems like exposure to DES are found in only five percent of the infertile couples.

Until the age of 30, a woman is most fertile and presents the lowest rate of risks of problems in pregnancy. After that age, her fertility begins to gradually decrease due to her eggs supply aging. Is abortion a cause for infertility?

Abortion is not linked in any way with endometriosis, an important cause for female infertility.

Endometriosis is more likely to appear in women that have never had children. The endometrium, the tissue that lines inside the uterus, becomes implanted in the fallopian tubes, ovaries or tissue lining the pelvis. This disease can produce scaring, pain and irregularity in menstrual cycles and can affect woman's ability to achieve pregnancy.

Though it very unlikely, an abortion can affect fertility by scarring the endometrium and interfering conception or subsequent pregnancies. The greatest possibility to affect a woman's body is that the abortion may increase the risk of adenomyosis. This disease manifests by extended endometrium into the muscular wall of the uterus. This can cause pain and abnormal bleeding during menstruation cycles. However, adenomyosis does not affect fertility. The risks increase when:

Both man and woman in a couple may cause infertility. In some cases even, both of their conditions cause it. Some of the factors that may lead to infertility may controlled.

The factors of risk that cannot be controlled are:

Congenital birth defects. Problems that either him or her have since birth with their reproductive tract.

Infertility rates increase in women with aging:

7% in women aging 20-24.

9% in women aging 25-29 .

15% in women aging 30-34 .

22% in women aging 35-39 .

29% in women aging 40-44 .

DES exposure before birth .

Moderate or severe endometriosis .

Exposure to highly toxic environmental factors, drugs, or high doses or radiation.

STD infections that damaged the reproductive system.

The factors of risk that can be controlled are:

Heavy use of tobacco or marijuana, which affects the sperm count and female fertility.

Polycystic ovary syndrome. Ovulation is interfered by a hormone imbalance.

Male infertility and sperm injury can be caused by heavy use of alcohol.

High frequency or infrequency of ejaculation may lower the sperm count.

Frequency of intercourse. The opinions are divided in this matter. Some specialists say that during a woman's ovulation an interval of 36 hors between the intercourses is optimal while others say that daily sex can affect sperm count, yet, they sustain the idea that it increases the overall chances of obtaining pregnancy.

Surgical sterilization like vasectomy and tubal ligation. In many cases those procedures can be reversed depending on the method used in the original surgical intervention and the amount of time passed since it was done.

Intense physical exercising, for months or years, affects the sperm count and ovulation.

High temperature in the scrotal area can damage sperm.

How to prevent infertility

Failure in conceiving a child or in carrying a pregnancy to term has many causes.

There are many cases or combined factors that lead to infertility in a couple, or other cases of incompatibility between 2 fertile partners which called immunological or genetic cause.

Many psychological effects may arise from infertile couples. The partner's anxiousness may ironically lead to sexual dysfunctions. Marital problems can also create infertility in couples especially when they are pressured to make medical decisions. Clinical depression may occur in women who are trying to conceive.

Preventing infertility

Lifestyle and health conditions affect fertility. Protect your fertility by:

Don't smoke cigarettes. They reduce sperm count.

Don't abuse alcohol. It damages the sperm and eggs.

Avoid hormonal imbalance by maintaining you weight in ideal limits for your height.

Practice safe sex and with a limited number of partners. STDs that go untreated or undetected may damage your reproductive tract and cause infertility. If you suspect symptoms of STD consult a doctor and treat it. Learn more things about protection against STD.

In case of diagnosed cancer, talk to your doctor about the links between cancer treatments and infertility.

The urinary infection

2007-07-10T11:38:00.001-07:00

The urinary infection is one of the most common reasons for a person to be diagnosed with kidney infection. The most common kind of infection affecting the urinary tract is the bacterial urinary tract infection (UTI). The fluid that is filtered out of the bloodstream by the kidneys is the urine or pee. Salts and waste products are present in urine. A UTI can result when bacteria get into the bladder or kidney and multiply in the urine.

The three main types of UTI are: urethritis which is caused by bacteria that infect only the urethra, cystitis, a bladder infection caused by bacteria, pyelonephritis which is the infection of the kidney. In the case of pyelonephritis a person has back pain, high fever, and vomiting.

The bladder infection causes discomfort and inconvenience. To avoid a more serious infection of a kidneys the patient should get the treatment promptly and in this way he will be quickly and easily treated. Bacteria are the ones which affects all patients.

E. coli, bacteria that are found in the digestive tract and on the skin around the rectal and vaginal areas causes UTIs. The infection is caused when the bacteria enter the urethra.

Because of the differences in the shape and length of the urethra women are more predisposed to tract infections more than guys. In the case of girls the urethras is shorter than the one of guys and the opening lies closer to the rectum and vagina where bacteria are likely to be.

Vesicoureteral reflux is the most common functional problem of the urinary tract. In this case the urine flows backward, or refluxes, from the bladder into the ureters and even up to the kidneys.

A bacteria can get into the urethra several ways. During sexual intercourse in the vaginal area the bacteria may be pushed into the urethra and eventually end up in the bladder and the urine provides a good environment for the bacteria to grow. UTIs are present at women who are sexually active. By wiping from back to front after a bowel movement, which can contaminate the urethral opening a bacteria may be introduced into a woman's bladder. The risk of getting a urinary tract infection is increased by using spermicides (including condoms treated with spermicide) and diaphragms as contraceptives.

UTI symptoms like pain with urination are caused by sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The inflammation and irritation of the urethra or vagina causes pain that can be associated sometimes with chlamydia and other STDs. Serious long-term problems, including pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility can occur if STDs is untreated. Opposite UTIs, STDs are contagious.

With bladder infections the following symptoms are associated: frequent urination, burning or pain during urination, the feeling of having to pee even though little or no urine actually comes out, pain in the lower abdomen, pain above the pubic bone (in women), a full feeling in the rectum (in men), bloody or foul-smelling urine, mild fever, a general feeling of shakiness and fatigue.

More serious symptoms of kidney infection are: high fever, chills, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, cloudy or bloody urine, pain in the back, just above the waist.

If the symptoms won't go away and they become worse a doctor should be called as soon as possible and in this way the patient will suffer less.

Condoms

2007-07-10T11:36:00.000-07:00

Probably one of the biggest selling items in any convenience store in North America. In this article I am going to try and enlighten you a little on the different types of condoms and what women like about them.

Chrysler has cars, Trojan has condoms. Condoms have come a long way over the years. Today condoms come in different sizes, colors, shapes and even flavors. Small, large, ribbed, purple, black, chocolate, peppermint, if you can name it you can probably find it associated with a condom. There was a time when there was only one kind of condom on the market but just like anything else times have changed and advances have been made. All condoms can fall into eight different categories.

1. Material

For the most part condoms fall into two different material categories. One is polyurethane and second is latex.

2. Size

Once upon a time there was only one size of condom to be found. That's usually still the case when you're buying them at convenience stores. What's different now however is that there are specialty stores and mail order that you can now get different sizes from. There are smaller ones, longer ones, wider ones and narrower ones.

3. Lubrication

Different condom companies use different lubrications for their condoms. Some people even have allergic reactions to certain lubes. It is however buyer beware. You should know what you're allergic to so a sudden rash doesn't wreck a planned night of passion.

4. Spermicidal

Spermicidal lubricants are often used on condoms to reduce the risk of pregnancy. One of the most common used is nonoxynol-9.

5. Ribbed

There are mixed feelings on ribbed condoms. Younger people for some reason think they are disgusting while older people think this is a condom sent from heaven. The ribs advance the feelings in sex making for stronger orgasms

6. Color

Not much can be said about color other than years ago all you could get was a transparent condom while today you can actually buy your condoms in packs with varieties of different colors.

7. Flavor

Again this is pretty self explanatory. The varieties of flavors are endless and of course these are used with couples who are more into oral sex. One warning about flavored condoms is that they should not be used for vaginal or anal sex.

8. Reservoir Tipped

Some condoms have reservoirs built into the end to store the semen after ejaculating. One thing to remember when putting this condom on make sure you pinch the end to get all the air out. Without doing this you stand the chance of the condom breaking and we all know what that can lead to.

So what do women want in a condom? Many condoms are packaged to look like a tampon so they can be carried in a women's purse without anyone knowing anything different. French ticklers are a long time favorite because of how they intensify the sexual pleasures. A funny little story that one woman told was that it annoys her that condoms are made by men because if women made them they would be padded on the sides to add girth since for most women length isn't an issue but wider is better for hitting that certain spot.

There are many other factors to condoms and this is just meant to be a guide line. Couples will experiment and get comfortable with what they like. While condoms are on the market to prevent pregnant and STDs you have to be careful of the novelty products because they don't all work alike. If unsure read the container they come in and if still not sure talk to your doctor or the pharmacist at the drug store.

The importance of condoms

2007-07-10T11:34:00.000-07:00

One stupid mistake can lead to a life time of regret. At a young age people need to have drilled into them the importance of condoms and safe sex.

Pregnancy, HIV, AIDS, STDs are all caused from unprotected sex, and it is rare to meet someone who doesn't know a story of a person who has had something unfortunate happen to them because of a slip they made in the bedroom.

Unfortunately many of the consequences of unprotected sex are happen in teenage years and are alcohol induced. It's no secret that when we drink, we lose touch with reality and stupid mistakes can happen, and unfortunately this means unprotected sex.

Just one head job with no condom or vaginal dam can result in a lifetime of carrying a disease. Just one sex encounter with no condom can result in carrying a disease for a lifetime. Sharing sex toys with no protection and with people you don't know can lead to carrying diseases for a lifetime. And no condom can mean pregnancy.

The stakes are high for not using condoms. The argument people use is that it feels so much better without a condom, or I am on the pill, I don't need a condom. These are the thoughts that lead to bad actions and a lifetime of regret.

Diseases can be spread from mouth to genitals and vice versa, and they can be spread from bodily fluids. It's important to put the condom on at the start of sexual activity as the fluids produced early on in the piece are just as potent as those from ejaculation. No matter if you are on the pill, the pill may protect you against pregnancy, but not against diseases.

Condoms are particularly important on one night stands or with people that you don't know their sexual history. If you are in a relationship and you are considering stopping using a condom, it is highly recommended that both partners get checks to ensure a clean bill of health.

Accidents can always happen when using condoms, however the chances are in your favour that pregnancy and STDs will not be caught if you do use a condom.

The Fact Women Should Know

2007-06-22T01:50:00.000-07:00

In this age of diseases, where women is more prone to fatal conditions, it is important to know that how can she reduce or minimize the chances of risk.

Be it a sexual intercourse, where she is vulnerable of STDs and HIV's, or be it the pregnancy or child birth, where the death rates are alarmingly high, she must know the measures which she can take to avoid this. In this fast developing world everything is in reach, and which can be used to their benefit.

Prevention is better than cure. Life is not the matter of choice; it is to be lived and to be enjoyed with better health. A good and balanced diet, is what one must take. Healthy eating habits go a long way, so it must be induced at the early age. Women are prone to be anemic because of the blood loss every month, which is to be replaced by a proper and healthy diet. It reduces the chances of complications while child birth. Only a healthy mother can deliver a healthy baby.

Every woman should know the unprotected sex can play havoc to their lives, especially if they are in multiple sexual relationships. They should know that a condom reduces the chances of sexually transmitted diseases, and they must insist to their partner on using the condom, every time, whenever, wherever, they have sex. Right use of condom is also must, otherwise it is ineffective. It is a shield to protect the women from the unwanted pregnancy and STDs, like Syphilis, Gonorrhea Hepatitis (viral), Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), or Genital Warts.

To get rid from the unwanted pregnancy women often go to the wrong places to terminate it. Abortions are killing millions of women worldwide, every year. It must be done under the medical supervision, in any case. Whenever she feels that she wants to go ahead with the baby, she must plan it accordingly. Till then, she must use the contraceptive methods. She has the vast choice, oral pills, condoms, shields, Copper T, and even female condoms. These all are available at any nearest drug store. Within the reach of every women.

Try to have sex with the partner, who you know is not carrying any virus. If he is suffering from STD, she should stop having sex. It is the matter of no-compromise. It is the matter of life.

Fishy Vaginal Odor | Bacterial Vaginosis

2007-06-22T01:39:00.000-07:00

Vaginal odor is usually caused from inflammation of the vaginal area. This is almost always a result of infection in or around the vagina. The most common infection that causes this fishy vaginal odor is bacterial vaginosis.

What is bacterial vaginosis?

Bacterial vaginosis is an abnormal vaginal condition that is most often recognized by a fishy vaginal discharge. This is a result from an overgrowth of normal bacteria in the vagina. You may have heard of Gardnerella vaginitis. This is what this condition used to be called. It was named after the bacteria that was thought to cause the condition.

New research found that there are several different species of bacteria that live naturally in the vaginal area. Gardnerella is not the only bacteria causing all the odor. The name of this condition has been changed to bacteria vaginosis to reflect these new findings. When all the different species of bacteria become imbalanced, you will notice a vaginal discharge that is associated with a fishy odor.

Bacterial vaginosis is not a STD. It is not passed by sex. It is very embarrassing and disturbing but it is not dangerous. If you notice an unusual discharge, you should have it checked so you can rule out chlamydia and gonorrhea which are serious infections.

Symptoms of bacterial vaginosis?

The symptoms of bacterial vaginosis are a foul, fishy odor and a grayish white discharge. The amount of the discharge varies so there is no amount that is considered "normal". There are no other symptoms. If you have a vaginal discharge that is abnormal for you, it is a good idea to see a health practitioner to rule out all other conditions. Some women with bacterial vaginosis will experience no symptoms at all.

What causes bacterial vaginosis?

Current research has determined it is an imbalance of natural vaginal bacteria that causes bacterial vaginosis. The problem is it is not possible to determine which bacteria is out of balance. Consequently, locating the offending bacteria and eradicating it is not a solution.

How is bacterial vaginosis diagnosed?

Generally, your doctor will perform a pelvic exam to rule out other, more serious, problems. A sample of the discharge will be collected to examine under a microscope. Bacterial vaginosis can be distinguished from other common problems, such as yeast, with this microscopic exam.

There is a particular test your doctor can perform called a "whiff test". A drop of potassium hydroxide testing solution is added to the discharge. The result is usually a strong fishy odor.

How do you treat bacterial vaginosis?

The most common treatment for bacterial vaginosis is antibiotics. Usually, one course of treatment is successful. A small percentage of women will experience recurrent symptoms within a month. Consequently, a second course of antibiotics will be prescribed.

As women, we know that taking antibiotics to cure this problem will almost absolutely cause another problem, yeast infection. This is why more and more women are seeking natural, herbal remedies for this problem. With the antibiotics, you are trading one problem for another, more difficult, problem.

Are there complications of bacterial vaginosis?

Once bacterial vaginosis is treated, the problem is usually over. No special follow-up is necessary if the symptoms disappear. The infection is not transmitted sexually so sexual partners need not be treated.

If you are pregnant, bacterial vaginosis can cause premature labor, premature birth, infection of the amniotic fluid, and infection of the uterus. You doctor will probably test for bacterial vaginosis early in your pregnancy. Any unusual discharge during pregnancy should be reported immediately to your doctor or mid-wife.

Is there a safe, natural remedy for bacterial vaginosis?

Enzara, a product manufactured by Selmedica Healthcare, is a great natural remedy for bacterial vaginosis. It eliminates the need for antibiotics so you can treat your problem without getting another problem.

Chlamydia - Complications You May Face If Chlamydia Is Not Treated In Time

2007-06-13T11:57:00.000-07:00

Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease. It is caused by a bacterium that is transmitted by sexual contact. Any sexual contact that causes your mucous membrane to get in touch with infected secretion may cause chlamydia. The complications of chlamydia are bad if it is left untreated. Please learn more so that you can prevent them.

Chlamydia - early symptoms

The early symptoms of chlamydia include- painful intercourse in women, vaginal discharge, penile discharge, difficult urination, etc. Sometimes these symptoms are very mild and are ignored. These symptoms appear after about two weeks of sexual contact. If chlamydia is left untreated it can cause serious complications. In the early stage antibiotics can clear chlamydia within a week or two and you are free of the disease. Afterwards, it becomes a long drawn process to get treated. Therefore it is important that you get treated immediately as soon as you see any symptoms described above. Your doctor will take a swab and test you. If the test is positive, you will be prescribed antibiotics. Let us find out about the later complications.

Chlamydia and women

Women may lose fertility if chlamydia is left untreated. Untreated chlamydia leads to Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in women. This is an infection of the reproductive organs of women. She may get her ovaries, cervix, and uterus, fallopian tubes infected. If the diseases progresses, she may lose her ability to be fertile. Many times PID develops without showing any outer signs. Some women may have lot of pelvic pain with PID.

Chlamydia and men

Men may develop swelling and pain in the testicles. This is an inflammation that is quite painful. Men may also develop complications of the prostrate gland.

Chlamydia and eye infection

If you touch infected fingers to your eyes, you may infect your eyes. Please consult your doctor immediately if you suspect anything like that.

This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article.

Kissing - Does It Transmit Gonorrhea?

2007-06-13T11:54:00.000-07:00

Gonorrhea is a STD. it is also called clap. Bacteria spread gonorrhea. Most of us believe that kissing is very harmless. But kissing can cause Gonorrhea. Let me tell you more.

Gonorrhea - the affected areas

Gonorrhea bacteria affect most of the places in the body with mucous membrane. That includes the genitals, the anus and rectum, throat, and possibly eyes. The bacteria pass from secretions of any of the affected areas. Once your mucous membrane comes in contact with secretions of an infected person, you may contact Gonorrhea. Any sexual activity will transfer the bacteria. if the bacteria has invaded the throat of the infected person, a kiss will transfer it. If such a person performs oral sex on you, you will get Gonorrhea.

Gonorrhea complications

Gonorrhea is a disease, which is better avoided. if it is left untreated, it can cause infertility in both men and women. In men it may even close the urethra( from where men pass the urine) , infect the testicles and create other complications, In women it may infect the fallopian tubes and may cause PID- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease.

Gonorrhea - the early symptoms

Yellowish discharge from the penis or vagina, painful passing of stools, burning sensation in the genitals are some of the common symptoms of Gonorrhea.

This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article.

Unlike Most STDs Chlamydia Can Be Cured

2007-06-13T11:49:00.000-07:00

The most effective treatment for the Chlamydia disease is antibiotics. Sometimes a single does of antibiotics will cure the disease. Two of the most commonly used antibiotics prescribed for this disease are: azithromycin (Zithromaxa) and doxycycline (Atridox, Bio-Tablets). These treatments can last as long as one day or seven days depending on the type of antibiotics you are prescribed. Some doctors prefer the one day treatment (referred to as the single dose treatment) while others prefer the seven day treatment. Chlamydia is never treated with Penicillin as is the case with most other Sexual Transmitted Diseases.

Some patients may require alternative treatment and they are usually prescribed erythromycin or ethylsuccuinate. Whatever medication you are prescribed it is recommended that you go through the entire course, even if the symptoms have disappeared and abstain from any sexual intercourse until you have finished all medication and have been tested with a clean bill of health once again. Some doctors require that you return for further tests after the course of the medication has been completed to ensure that you are fully cured from this disease.

There are two main types of tests for Chlamydia: one is to take samples of body fluid from the infected part of the body, usually the vagina or penis, and then sending it to the laboratory for tests. Another way is to take a urine sample and also have them tested in the laboratory; this is becoming a very popular way of testing for Chlamydia virus.

Through modern technology they have now developed a Diagnostic Test Kit for Chlamydia which you can purchase and use in the privacy of your own home. This kit contains all the tools that you will need to test yourself and it is color coded thus making it very simple to understand. It uses specimens and urine from the genital parts of the body for testing for Chlamydia and is available for both men and women.

Because Gonorrhea and Chlamydia are so much alike it is sometimes very difficult to determine exactly which disease you have contracted and further intricate testing will have to be done to determine this fact, also sometimes it is possible for a person to contract both of these viruses at any given time.

HPV Vaccine: A Topic Of Interest For Every Woman

2007-06-13T11:42:00.000-07:00

Researchers have been hard at work developing a vaccine for human papilloma virus. HPV is an STD that affects millions of people each year. Although many cases of HPV will clear up without treatment there is a concern because HPV is the leading cause of cervical cancer. With the introduction of the HPV vaccine many women can be assured that their chances of developing this serious form of cancer will be reduced.

Considering that in the United States alone the incidence of HPV infection in women aged between 18 and 22 is 50%, it's obvious that a vaccine could have a significant impact. In many other under-developed countries this percentage is much higher and with limited access to medical treatment 80% of the world's cervical cancer deaths occur in these countries.

Some of the factors regarding HPV vaccine that need to be taken into consideration are:

* The age at which vaccination should occur. Some medical experts argue that the HPV vaccine should be administered to young women before they become sexually active. This would mean the HPV vaccine would be given at a fairly young age which has upset many people. They view the HPV vaccine as a signal to these young women that they can be sexually active without worry of STDs.

* Pap smears still need to be done. Women need to remain vigilant about their annual Pap test even after receiving the vaccine. Although the HPV vaccine can reduce the incidence of cervical cancer it is certainly not the only cause. A Pap smear can detect any abnormalities early which allows for the highest rate of survival in women who do have pre-cancerous or cancerous cells.

The cost of the HPV vaccine is also heavily debated. Although many researchers view it as a necessity and instrumental in the sexual health of women, it is a concern in underdeveloped countries where the resources just aren't available.

The HPV vaccine could certainly add to a woman's health arsenal. As with any STD, prevention is truly the key. When a woman employs safe sex practices along with an annual Pap smear and the HPV vaccine she has a fighting chance against cervical cancer.

Natural Treatment for Genital Warts - It IS Possible to Treat Genital Warts Without Surgery!

2007-06-13T11:39:00.000-07:00

Naturally Treating Genital Warts is far preferable to a number of other options available.

For one, you can treat genital warts in the privacy of your own home. For another, you and your spouse need to undergo treatment at the same time. How likely are you to get your spouse to go to the hospital or doctors with you?

Having a sexually transmitted disease can be embarrassing, especially if you are an innocent recipient. While the Christian ethic of staying faithful to, and honouring your spouse, is taught for just this reason - preventing and/or limiting the transmission of STDs - many people in today's world struggle with sexual addiction problems, and inadvertently pass Genital Warts, Genital Herpes or other Sexually Transmitted Diseases on to their spouses.

Admitting, even to your doctor, that you both have the condition, can be difficult. While doctors and gynaecological specialists are excellent in treating these condition, they are somewhat limited by what they can prescribe or offer as treatment.

Some Treatments for Genital Warts include:
- Freezing (cryosurgery)
- Electrocautery (burning)
- Prescription medicines (including Podophyllin - best applied by a medical practitioner as large doses can have severely harmful side affects)
- Poisons (Podophyllum / Phodophyllotoxin)
- Laser surgery
- Other surgery

All of the above can either have harmful side effects, or can lead to irritation, discomfort and scarring. Genital Warts may appear on the penis, vulva, urethra, vagina, cervix and around the anus.

The ability to Naturally Treat Genital Warts is available, though not widely known to the public as yet.

A Natural Remedy for Genital Warts is topically applied (i.e. no pills and no drugs). A recommended natural treatment for Genital Warts has already been effectively used to get rid of Genital Warts by hundreds of people around the world. If you need to Treat Genital Warts, and if you are reluctant to use prescription medications or undergo surgery, it may be worth trying this Natural Home Remedy Treatment for Genital Warts. It is certainly cheaper, has no known side effects, and comes with a 60 day money back guarantee.

If you have it, don't spread it. Genital warts can lead to cancer of the cervix as well as other cancers. It can also cause complications during pregnany, child-birth and can be passed to the infant with life threatening complications. Of the more than 100 types of Genital Warts, 30 are sexually transmitted. Over 25 million people living in the USA have Genital Warts and more than 5 million new cases are reported each year. Be safe. Stay Faithful.

How Can You Tell if Someone Has Genital Herpes?

2007-06-13T11:37:00.000-07:00

Do you take a good look at the person? Do you ask and look straight in their eyes? Do you inquire about their sex lives? Well, my answer is no, maybe and maybe.

It may be a good idea to ask someone if they’re aware of having genital herpes. The more sexual partners a person has had in their lives, the more likely they’re to be infected by herpes. But these methods are quite insufficient. Did you know that the majority of people who have genital or oral herpes are not aware of it? So how do you explain that? Simple, many oral or genital herpes infected people just don’t have any herpes symptoms, others have some symptoms which are mild enough to confuse them with a rash or a mosquito bite or anything that may cause, redness, swelling, itching, burning and blisters, and some may not even know what herpes symptoms are.

The fact that somebody doesn’t have or recognize herpes symptoms doesn’t mean they don’t have it. About 25% of the US population is infected with genital herpes, with women being more affected than men. Studies have shown that the vast majority (80%-90%) of people who have genital herpes have not been diagnosed with the condition.

According to a recent paper published by Carnegie Mellon University in January 2006, most sexually active teenage girls know almost nothing about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), except AIDS, until it is too late. Another 2006 study led by Dr. Herbert Kaufman, Boyd Professor of Ophthalmology at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans, found herpes virus-1 in 98 percent of healthy participants. None of them displayed any symptoms; however they shed the herpes virus in their saliva and tears at least once during the course of the 30-day study. Even though this study didn’t target genital herpes directly, it demonstrates that most people can be totally unaware of carrying the virus and being infected by herpes.

Shed or shedding means that the virus is present on the skin and ready to be transmitted. Herpes is transmitted through skin contact 98% of the time. Studies have shown that shedding may occur in almost 40% of HSV-2 (usually associated with genital herpes) infected people. Asymptomatic viral shedding may last 1 to 5 days, meaning that a person can be contagious without presenting any symptoms at the time. The average duration of each period of viral shedding has been assessed through laboratory studies but is just an estimate.

So how can you tell for a fact if someone has genital herpes? The only way to know is to look at blood, PCR or swab test results. Swab and PCR tests are very accurate when they detect herpes. However, if a test was performed late or delivered to the lab late, it may return a false negative result. Western blot test, a blood test, is the most accurate test available but may return a false negative if the person tested was first infected within the past 3 months. So it is not easy to know if a person has genital herpes or not.

One last consideration, herpes Simplex 1 or HSV-1 usually causes oral herpes and cold sores and herpes simplex-2, genital herpes. But herpes virus-1 genital herpes is becoming more and more prevalent nowadays. It is mostly transmitted during oral sex from a person who’s having an oral herpes infection with or without symptoms. So if getting genital herpes is a concern to you, you should consider oral herpes as well as genital herpes when asking a partner.

As you can see, it is very difficult to assess if a partner has genital herpes. There are no proven products to prevent genital herpes transmission at the moment. Some are currently undergoing testing for FDA approval and will hopefully be marketed soon. In the meanwhile, the best option is using a condom.

Understanding HIV and AIDS

2007-06-13T11:31:00.000-07:00

HIV and AIDS are some of those diseases, where precaution is the best treatment. Let's go exploring.

HIV
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a retrovirus. It was first discovered in early 1980s. It affects a type of white blood cell (T Cell). Once this virus enters inside the body it completely cover the T Cell and start making a number of copies of itself. It fails the immune system of the body, which causes Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Currently, there is no vaccine available to prevent HIV infection.

AIDS
When HIV virus weakens the immune system of the body, the person is unable to fight the infection. This life threatening infection caused by HIV is called AIDS. It spread through human. It affects the normal functioning of immune system of the body. Currently, there is no treatment for AIDS is available. However there is significant improved HIV medications helping HIV positive people to live their life longer and healthier.

Transmission of HIV virus

Sexual intercourse is the one of the big reasons of transmission of HIV virus. Those who practice unsafe sex, having more than one partner or involved in anal sex may be at higher risk.

Child can get the virus from his/her HIV infected mother and as a result of breast-feeding.

Contaminated needle is also a reason of transmission of HIV virus.

Causes and symptoms

Other people do not see any symptoms in infected person. Even the infected person may not experience infection for many years.

An HIV positive person may begin to feel sick. He or she can feel low-grade fever, regular cough, chronic fatigue and extreme weakness.

Heavy sweating at night occurs

Loss of appetite

Chronic Diarrhea

Trouble in remembering things However, when the doctors examine a patient, they will go through overall symptoms of AIDS instead of any one of the findings.

Prevention

Practice only safe sex and be monogamous.

Condoms are successful in preventing AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). So, always use latex condom for you sexual activities.

Never share needles.

Blood must be tested before transfusion.

Treatment If you think that you may have HIV infection, you must get it tested. An early treatment may postpone the development of AIDS. The treating specialist will examine you and do the blood tests. Depending on the tests, results may take from several hours to several days. You can also approach AIDA testing center.

Since at present there is no cure for AIDS, prevention becomes more important. However a group of antiviral drugs that pump the immune system have helped many people to resist HIV infections. They are living a healthy and happy life. But at all these drugs may not be referred as a cure.

Genital Wart Symptoms

2007-06-13T11:28:00.000-07:00

Genital warts are caused by a group of viruses called human papilloma virus, also termed condylomata acuminat and are spread by sexual contact with an infected partner.

Today, sexual transmitted diseases infect nearly 20 million people. There are one million new cases per year and another one million don’t know they’re infected because they have no symptoms. Like other STDs HPV, infection may not be symptomatic. Infected cells from a partner with no genital warts may adhere to the genital area of a partner with no warts spreading the infection.

In men, genital warts can be found in the urethra, penis and rectal area. Warts are soft raised masses with a surface that can be smooth or rough with many projections. They can vary in shape, size and color. They are mainly whitish or flesh colored and some times, invisible to the naked eye. Some genital warts may appear as cauliflower shape as individual growths or in clusters. Some of these types of genital warts show absolutely no signs at all, so that you could spread the virus without even knowing you have it. For this reason, you should get a check-up every time you switch partners; that way, the risk is reduced.

In women, warts occur on the lips of the vagina, inside the vagina or around the anus with an increase in dampness and moisture in the infected area as well as an increase in vaginal discharge. Abnormal vaginal bleeding occurs after the sexual intercourse.

As symptoms of genital warts may appear after several days of viral infection, regular checkups are recommended.

Genital Warts provides detailed information on Genital Warts, Genital Wart Medication, Genital Wart Removal, Genital Wart Symptoms and more. Genital Warts is affiliated with HPV Treatments.

Genital Wart Cures

2007-06-13T11:24:00.000-07:00

Genital warts, also called condylomata acuminata, are one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases (STD). In fact, research reveals that genital warts infect 5.5 million Americans each year. HPV (Human papillomavirus) is responsible for genital warts.

Genital warts are viral infections, which persist for a long periods in the tissue around the genital area of both men and women. They look like small bumps similar to a cauliflower. They may be as small as 1 to 2 mm in diameter or multiply into a large cluster.

Currently there is no cure for HPV infection. When the HPV virus infects a person, he or she carries the virus for life. Treatment can remove the visible warts but cannot eradicate the virus. The development of a vaccine against HPV is under way, but is not yet available. So once treated the virus remains in the infected area and can recur at any time. Also, the virus can lay dormant in such a way that, even if you believe the virus to be eradicated, you can infect a partner without even knowing it. For this reason, you should get tested for all STDs anytime you switch from one partner to another.

Topical chemical solutions and anti-viral solutions have been applied successfully as well as cryotheraphy, surgical removal and electrosurgery. Abstaining from sex with individuals infected with warts or HPV or using condoms are the best ways to avoid contracting the virus or passing it on to a sexual partner, however, these precautions may not always protect you from infection since the virus may present outside the protected area.

Genital Warts provides detailed information on Genital Warts, Genital Wart Medication, Genital Wart Removal, Genital Wart Symptoms and more. Genital Warts is affiliated with HPV Treatments.

Can Genital Herpes be Avoided?

2007-06-13T11:20:00.000-07:00

Many kinds of diseases, especially sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) like genital herpes, can be avoided if a person is conscientious enough in practicing health habits. For genital herpes, the adage “an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure” is appropriate. In fact, there is no vaccine against genital herpes.

Abstinence is definitely the most effective way of avoiding genital herpes and any other STDs. Having no sexual contact with anyone assures you that you will never be exposed to genital herpes.

However, abstinence can never be the choice of many people. And so, the next best thing is fidelity. It means that you must maintain a strictly monogamous relationship with a partner who has no genital herpes. This must be a two-way street. That is, you don’t have multiple sex partners, and your partner doesn’t maintain other sex partners. Having several sexual adventures may turn out to be nightmares in the end.

Unfortunately, finding one true love could be a trial and error process for some people. And so, to avoid genital herpes, the third best thing is being responsible. That is, you must practice safe sex.

Before starting a sexual relationship with a new partner, talk about STDs. It is probably not the most scintillating and romantic topic you could think of, but it is a vital one. Find out if your potential sex partner may have been exposed to the HSV virus. Having blisters and sores in the genital area and in the lips and mouth are hazardous signs. But you must also remember the fact that a person infected with HSV or any STD may never show any symptom. Thus, find out about your potential partner’s lifestyle, health history and sex history. If you are the 100th partner, think twice before consulting to a more intimate relationship. Prowess acquired due to experience may not always be a good thing.

Safe sex also means the use of condoms. Condoms, even if used properly, do not entirely prevent the transmission of genital herpes. But they do reduce the risk of acquiring STDs. Sometimes, the sores of genital herpes spread to the anus, the buttocks, and the thighs. These areas could not be covered by condoms. If your sex partner has genital herpes and the sores are limited to a small area, then either male or female condoms can be used. But let us reiterate that condoms do not offer 100% protection.

If pregnant, do everything in your power to avoid HSV infection, so that you do not endanger the health and life of your newborn.

If you are already infected with genital herpes, then have mercy and give others the chance to avoid your disease: avoid any sexual contact.

HIV- AIDS And STD Prevention Requires New Strategies

2007-06-13T11:09:00.000-07:00

The world wide epidemic of HIV/AIDS, genital herpes, and other incurable viral STDs is largely a result of there being an insufficient incentive for individuals to be tested. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) have found increased testing to be the most effective means of prevention. However, currently, an individual’s fear of receiving positive test results is not adequately counterbalanced by an incentive to receive negative results.

The receipt of positive test results adversely impact everything from one’s dating and sex life to one’s credit rating and insurability. This fear makes not knowing and not being tested the preference of the majority. Left unchecked, and absent mandates for global testing, people will continue to avoid testing and continue to insidiously both, knowingly and unknowingly infect their partners. Without a cure or improved treatments for viral STDs, an individual’s fear of receiving positive results will be difficult to overcome.

Therefore, the focus of the new prevention strategy should be to develop incentives for individuals to be tested that also appeal to selfish motivations, rather than global calls for social responsibility, which have proven insufficient. The most economical and powerful solution is to leverage the tools of social networking, which CDC have found to be effective. This requires an efficient means by which prospective sexual partners can mutually communicate their negative HIV/STD test results, prior to sexual activity.

Problem - No Incentive for Testing

The principal problem of HIV and other viral STDs is that both the carriers and their partners are not aware of their infection. CDC estimates that in the United States 25% of those infected with HIV are unaware that they are infected. They have also found that the best means of preventing new transmissions is to ensure that those infected are aware of their condition, because when people know they are positive they tend to reduce their level of sexually risky behavior.

CDC and World Health Organization (“WHO”) now call for annual HIV for all between the ages of 18 to 64. However, these recommendations are still incomplete models to effectively isolate the disease. They do not provide a self-interested motivation for individuals to be tested and they remain biased toward a philosophy of treatment over prevention.

Current Partner Notification Systems

There are examples of online partner notification systems that have proved successful; however they are also retroactive measures of disease isolation, rather than proactive prevention. Inspot.org is a non-profit website that allows people who have been infected with HIV to anonymously notify past sexual partners that they are at risk and should seek testing.

Statistical data on the effectiveness of this system is not available, but one may surmise that it would at least help to encourage high risk people to seek testing. This is a beneficial system for those already infected, but does little to help individuals prevent contraction. Its anonymous system, although practical, does little to encourage open discussion about HIV/STDs before sexual activity takes place.

Sites for Positive Carriers

Interestingly, there are a number of successes systems that “sero-sort” positive carriers from the larger population. For example, in Africa, there is a popular Internet dating site called HIVSingles.com, which encourages HIV positive people to date other HIV carriers. It is successful because it allows people to mutually identify themselves as carriers, thereby removing the moral and ethical dilemmas, awkwardness, guilt and legal liability associated with dating someone who may not be infected.

There are other such sites like HerpesSingles.com, which have become popular in the United States and similarly encourage people infected with genital herpes to date others also infected with the disease. These sites do however instill a false sense of security because there are many strains of these viruses, which may cause more or less severe symptoms depending on the individual.

Also, there is a risk that new, more dangerous and more easily communicable viruses may be born out of increased cross-contamination in individuals who are exposed to multiple strains. However, at least these sites isolate those infected with certain sexually transmitted infections, from those who may not be infected. The popularity of these sites begs the question of why similar systems are not available for people who have tested negative for sexually transmitted diseases and who wish to remain healthy.

New Approach

An online health service could provide a practical means for couples to identify each other as having received negative test results. If popularized, this will make routine testing and disclosure a social imperative. The site leverages social networking to foster a socially driven incentive for individuals to be tested for HIV, herpes and others STDs. By making it easy to identify one-self to others as having been recently tested, with negative results, it will make one more attractive to a prospective partner.

This creates a self-interested incentive for people to engage in testing and to disclose it openly to their partners. It also provides the tools for members to require that their partner be tested and to disclose negative results in kind. The networking effect will become increasingly powerful as the membership grows, for failure to produce such information will make one less attractive and result in fewer occasions to engage in sexual activity with other members.

The risk of contracting HIV and others STDs is now the single greatest fear for daters with new partners, which has created interference to the normal course of sexual relations. This signal of a CheckTonight membership will reduce the fear in others and demonstrate one’s social responsibility. Membership will reduce the interference and add an additional layer of protection in addition to the use of condoms.

Condom Use Insufficient

The rising rates of new STD infections shows that the condom alone is an insufficient measure of prevention. The condom has been clinically demonstrated to be a highly effective tool in preventing HIV and some other STDs, however, the increasing rates of new STD infections show that the condom in practice is insufficient. The porosity of condoms, the slippage and breakage rates and the limited area of coverage all compromise its strength of prevention; however its primary failure is its practical requirement.

The condom is required immediately prior to sexual activity taking place, when clear reasoning and normal risk aversion are often clouded by passion and or alcohol. The reality is that most who claim to “use condoms” do not use them properly in every single instance of sexual activity. In fact, 70% of Americans with multiple sex partners do not use condoms for every act of sexual intercourse.

For example, condoms are often applied after several minutes of sexual activity, rather than from start to finish. It is time to reevaluate the effectiveness of the condom, based not on its ability to prevent the transmission of viruses in a laboratory, but based on its effectiveness in reducing the number of new sexually transmitted viral infections.

Cultural Shift A new web service should will provide a trusted and reliable means of communicating health information between partners, at their choosing and will provide an incentive for people to be tested more frequently. Over time, routine testing and partner disclosure will become a social imperative and greatly slow the spread of disease.

By introducing a means of easily communicating fundamental indicators of personal health and social responsibility, it allows critical information to be used to assist in partner selection. This process may occur long before sexual activity takes place. Such a service will also improve safer sex practices among members and help to promote and educate people on the risks of STDs and the importance of proactive measures for prevention.

Additionally, rather than creating a false sense of security or encouraging greater promiscuity, it will assist in fostering risk aversion. Members will be more likely to engage in safer sex practices and to select their partners more carefully in order to sustain their status as members, who must test negative every 6 months. We need incentives for people to be tested often and to discuss matters of sexual health on an informed basis. This system is required to advance public health and for people to be accountable and proactive about disease prevention.

Genital Herpes- Understand The Treatment

2007-06-13T10:44:00.000-07:00

Genital Herpes- Understand The Treatment

Genital herpes is treated with oral anti-viral medications. There are many medications available for herpes. They all reduce the intensity of the attack. No medicine cures herpes. The choice of medication depends upon factors such as- the first episode, subsequent episodes, suppressive therapy, compromise of immune system etc. Your doctor may adopt episodic or suppressive therapy. In episodic therapy, your doctor will give you medicine whenever you have an episode of genital herpes. In suppressive therapy, anti-viral medication is continued to suppress any outbreak of herpes. Let us discuss about them.

Episodes - the first episode may be the most difficult one. The medication choice a, strength and duration will therefore depend upon the intensity. In subsequent episodes, the strength may be reduced depending upon the intensity of the outbreak.

Suppressive therapy-

Some people get frequent outbreaks of herpes. To stop this, you may be prescribed suppressive therapy. In suppressive therapy you would take medication daily for a long period and your doctor will monitor you about any change needed in therapy.

Herpes during pregnancy- pregnancy makes women more vulnerable to herpes outbreaks. Most of the women who are carriers of herpes virus may get an outbreak during pregnancy. There is also danger to the yet to be born child if the mother delivers the child through her vagina that has active outbreak. This calls for regular consultation with doctors about the medication and method of delivery.

Immune system- some people have compromised immune systems. That happens in AIDS, regular intake of steroids, and other diseases such as blood cancer etc. Your doctor will judge your immunity and prescribe the medication accordingly.

This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article.

DoctorGoodSkin.com is a popular skin care guide where you can find a lot of information, articles and tips about STDs, skin diseases and conditions, skin treatments and procedures, skin care, skin care products, etc. You will also find information about hair and nails. You can try out some of the skin and health quizzes, to test your knowledge about various skin, hair and nail conditions. Other popular topics on the site include eczema, psoriasis, dermabrasion, hair loss, liposuction, cosmetic, sun damage, chemical peeling, etc. To learn more about Genital Herpes visit doctorgoodskin.com

The Ins and Outs of STD's

2007-06-13T10:38:00.000-07:00

STD’S are a problem that many of today’s youth are faced with. They are a real threat to our society. STD’s consist of any disease that is acquired primarily through sexual contact. They are infectious diseases that spread from person-to-person through contact with infected bodily fluids. In this, you will be exposed to two of the more common threats in the world of STD’s. (However, there are several more.)

Chlamydia is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases (STD’S) of our time caused by a bacterium know as Chlamydia trachomatis, which if left untreated for long can damage the reproductive organs. Symptoms may often times go unnoticed because they are usually mild or none at all. Un-reparable damages can be caused silently before the condition is even noticed, such as infertility. It’s very important to get a yearly physical and get tested to ensure your health. Most of the time there are never any symptoms at all in men.

Here is an interesting and very frightening statistic for everyone: between the years of 1987 and 2004 reported cases of chlamydia jumped from 50.8 to 319.6 cases per 100,000 population!

Some methods fore treatment for chlamydia include:

• Azithromycin
• Doxycycline
• Erythromycin ethylsuccinate
• Ofloxacin

*Chlamydia is one of the most easily treated STD’S. These medications, when taken correctly will eliminate the disease 99.9% of the time. (These medications must be prescribed by your practicing physician.) See a doctor if you have questions.

A current threat to the youth of today is another STD by the name of hepatitis. Hepatitis is a rather more serious one however. Hepititis is inflammation of the liver that is caused by a virus. The result in contracting this one can almost certainly lead to death in many cases! There are five different types of viral hepatitis. They include but are not limited to: hepatitis A, B, & C. Also know as HAV, HAB, & HAC. These are merely the most common forms of the disease. However, the only one of these that is an STD is hepititus B. All others have alternate forms of infecting.

HBV

HBV can survive outside the body at least 7 days and still be capable of transmitting infection. The symptoms for all three types of viral hepatitis are much the same. Symptoms are much more predominant in adults than in infected children. If symptoms do occur, they usually include:
• Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
• Tiredness
• nausea
• dark urine
• clay-colored bowel movements
• loss of appetite
• abdominal discomfort

Some of the treatment medication that can be used to treat this disease include:
• Acyclovir (Zovirax)
• Famciclovir (Famvir)
• Valacyclovir (Valtrex)

*These statements are merely facts that have been gathered. They are in no way a substitute to seeing a physician. If you have any doubts, see a doctor immediately. If you have been promiscuous in the past and have not been tested within the last 6 months, it is strongly suggested to do so.

Chlamydia: Checking the infectious bacteria group & the ailments

2007-06-09T22:14:00.000-07:00

CHECKING CHLAMYDIA

The term 'Chlamydia' refers to a bacteria collection. It causes different types of infectious ailments in human beings and animals.

CHLAMYDIA AILMENTS

There are two main types of Chlamydia diseases. They are Chlamydia trachomatis and Chlamydia pneumoniae. People having multiple sex partners are prone to various strains of chlamydia.

CHLAMYDIA BACTERIA

The three species of chlamydia are Chlamydia psittaci, Chlamydia trachomatis and Chlamydia pneumoniae.

CHLAMYDIA PSITTICA

Chlamydia psittica occurs in rare cases. People affected by Chlamydia psittica experience a flu-like illness. It is called psittacosis. It is also known as parrot fever as the organism is mostly carried by lovebirds, parakeets, and parrots. Many cats, and other animals and avian species carry this organism. Occasionally human beings may also be the carriers of Chlamydia psittica. Usually, people working with pets like birds and animals contract the Chlamydia psittica syndrome. Therefore, the most prone sections of humans are the workers employed in poultry processing plants, or pet shops and avian pet owners.

CHLAMYDIA TRACHOMATIS STRAINS

This is the most common chlamydia illness. It is caused by the different strains of trachomatis bacteria species. A particular Chlamydia trachomatis strain affects the eyes. The resultant illness is conjunctivitis. During conjunctivitis, the eyes turn red and there is swelling. Moreover, the eyes become light sensitive. There can also be pus discharge from the eyes. Most importantly, babies may contract chlamydia infections from their mothers even before they are born.

TRACHOMA

This is a severe type of conjunctivitis. Trachoma is caused by a fly-borne strain of Chlamydia trachomatis. If untreated, trachoma can lead to blindness. Trachoma cases are common in the Third World countries.

LYMPHOGRANULOMA VENEREUM

Another offshoot of Chlamydia trachomatis is Lymphogranuloma venereum. This ailment affects the lymphatic tissue. Many people in the tropical regions are affected by this disease. Lymphogranuloma venereum is rare in USA, though.

CHLAMYDIA TRACHOMATIS & AIDS

There is a close link between Chlamydia trachomatis and various STDs (sexually transmitted diseases) including AIDS. Chlamydia trachomatis generally gets transmitted through sexual intercourses with affected persons. In the USA, three million people fall prey to Chlamydia trachomatis-caused STD cases every year. These mainly include NGU (nongonococcal urethritis). NGU is an infection of the urinary tract.

CHLAMYDIA TRACHOMATIS (STD) SYMPTOMS

The Chlamydia trachomatis form passing on through sex can affect both the sexes. The common symptoms of Chlamydia trachomatis (sexually transmitted) are pain and watery discharge during urinating. The women can also have vaginal inflammation as well as swelling of the ovaries, Fallopian tubes, uterus, and the cervix.

There can be genital area pain, abdominal pain, fever, and vaginal discharge. Notably, as much as 70 per cent of women suffering from Chlamydia trachomatis infections do not have any symptoms. So, the ailment also remains untreated. Ultimately, Chlamydia trachomatis degenerates into serious conditions: These may include infertility, ectopic pregnancy, and pelvic inflammatory disease.

CHLAMYDIA PNEUMONIAE

Chlamydia pneumoniae affects the upper respiratory tract. Chlamydia pneumoniae infections can also strike the bronchitis, pneumonitis, and the pharyngitis. Chlamydia pneumoniae is a contagious ailment caused by the Chlamydia set of bacteria. Chlamydia pneumoniae can also lead to heart attacks and coronary heart diseases. Anybody between the ages of five to 35 can be affected by Chlamydia pneumoniae.

The In fact, Chlamydia pneumoniae has been identified as the second main cause of pneumonia in US. Chlamydia pneumoniae bouts are usually mild in nature. The Chlamydia pneumoniae symptoms are fever and cough. At times, there can be more sputum production. Sputum is a mixture of various mucus and saliva.

It arises from the respiratory tracts. The Chlamydia pneumoniae symptoms may not be very visible initially. Or, at times, the Chlamydia pneumoniae signs may also point to the other forms of Chlamydia dysfunctions. One type is the chlamydia type of illnesses caused by various strains of the trachomatis species. Another severe type of chlamydia disease is caused by a strain of the fly-borne Chlamydia trachomatis.

TREATING CHLAMYDIA

Antibiotics are quite effective in treating Chlamydia infections. To diagnose Chlamydia infections, patients generally have to undergo various tests. These include cell cultures that exclude other illnesses with similar symptoms. The other ailments having similar symptoms are candidiasis, trichomoniasis, herpes, and gonorrhea. The modern method of diagnosing Chlamydia infections are immunoassays blood tests. These examinations pinpoint the specific antibody that may have been constituted by the patient's immune system against chlamydia infection.

MANDATORY SCREEN TESTS

The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) suggests yearly screening for chlamydia especially for all sexually active women. Such periodic screenings are must for such women under 20 years of age and those above 20 years. It is also mandatory for such women enjoying multiple sex partners. To prevent re-infection, all the individuals who have had sexual relationships with the affected person, must be treated for Chlamydia infections or STDs (sexually transmitted diseases). An important preventive measure is the latex condom during intercourse. This step can prevent transmission of chlamydial infection.

Protect Yourself: Yeast infection and STDs

2007-06-09T22:06:00.000-07:00

Often when we think of sexually transmitted diseases, we rarely put a yeast infection and STDs side by side as coconspirators. In fact, yeast infections are the most common type of vaginal infection in women. Up to 75 percent of women suffer from yeast infection, also known as candida infection.

Yeast grows like a weed. As fungi, it will procreate spontaneously if given the right conditions, which often causes the infection. It needs warm, moist place to live and grow, and thus the vagina makes a perfect home.

Women will know that they have a yeast infection by three obvious signs: itching, burning, and a thick, cottage cheese like discharge. If they even suspect a yeast infection, they should see a doctor immediately. Over the counter medications exist, but doctors recommend a physician's visit because the infection could be more than just a yeast infection, and an over the counter treatment will not cover everything. Doctors will end up often prescribing an antibiotic cream that patients must apply directly to the affected area. This will kill the yeast and treat the infection effectively.

Often when we think of a yeast, we do not immediately think of a disgusting infection passed from one careless person to another, but we picture grandma's homemade bread, rising and then baking in her oven. Maybe we even think of a beer commercial where the producer will boast of the type of yeast used to create the best brew. This yeast is different. It is the saccharomyces cerevisiae type, much different than the candida which has people screaming in pain and running to the bathroom.

As an STD, yeast infection can be passed from person to person through direct, sexual contact. Women can pass it to men, and men can pass it to women. Additionally, those who engage in oral sex run the risk of an oral yeast infection, also known as thrush.

Individuals can put themselves at risk for such an infection. Sexually active people are especially prone to this infection. Furthermore, women on antibiotics even for common illnesses are prone to infection as the antibiotics can cause the yeast to multiply. We can prevent yeast infections by obviously abstaining from casual sex, but on another level, we can prevent them with just a daily dose of yogurt. The bacteria in consumed yogurt will prevent infections.

Thus while a yeast infection is not a life threatening illness like herpes or gonorrhea, it causes unnecessary pain and discomfort. So protect yourself, and pick up some Yoplait today.

The STD You Might Already Have And Don't Even Know It

2007-06-09T22:03:00.000-07:00

You've probably heard of genital warts, right?

Sure, it's not the typical lunch room conversation topic, but most of know the basics, like... it's a sexually transmitted disease ...it's embarrassing... and... we all hope we never get it!

Unfortunately few of us know the real facts. Facts like this: HPV (human papillomavirus) is the culprit, HPV can lead to Cervical Cancer, and 25 percent of women think that Pap tests prevent it.

But, contrary to what most websites (and even some doctors) would have you believe... it's not all bad news. No, in fact, when you know ALL of the facts, HPV is not as scary as it might sound. The best news is that genital warts are very treatable and there have been major advancements in the medical world to treat the dreaded virus, not to mention ways to boost your own immune system to deal with it as much as possible.

Not All HPV types are Created Equal

There are literally hundreds of the human papillomavirus types, but only thirty of them are sexually transmitted. The other little troublemakers show up as warts on the hands, feet, eyeballs or other parts of the body when you come in contact with the skin of someone infected with the virus.

So what happens when you find out your partner is infected with the sexually ...and terribly embarrassing... form? Do you panic and wait for massive outbreaks in unspeakable regions? Interestingly enough, only about fifteen viruses will ever show up. Most can be fought off by your immune system, given enough time and provided you are a healthy person (also not smoking and staying out of stressful situations can help too.) In these situations, you might never see or be aware that you were ever infected.

But what about the fifteen remaining culprits? This is where you've got to be especially careful! In these cases, genital warts may crop up and should be treated while your body tries to fight off the virus. Not only do these HPV types cause trouble, they can lead to Cervical Cancer if left unchecked.

The Day You Discover You Have It Can Be A Nasty Surprise

HPV is more common than most people would ever guess. In fact, the chances are that at any rodeo, race track or other social event, there is an all out viral attack going on inside the jeans of three out of four people you see. White hair and a senior citizen status don't nix the chances of infection, either. If you've reached your 50th birthday, you have a whopping 80% chance of having had the virus in your lifetime.

Why would a virus be so common that it's perfectly normal for women in their teens and early 20s to test positive? Because the virus is spread just by touching infected skin. You know what that means? Intercourse isn't necessarily the culprit and no, condoms don't always do the trick. If you touch an infected penis or scrotum with your skin, bingo... you've got it.

Genital Warts - More Bark than Bite

Out of all the STD's you could possibly have, genital warts are probably the most tame. The worst part of it is probably the embarrassment factor, because these types rarely progress into anything serious or threaten fertility - unlike more serious STDs such as Chlamydia or Gonorrhea.

Within as little as one week to six months of contracting genital warts, you'll notice the appearance of warts or clusters of warts - usually white or flesh colored. The sizes range from tiny little bumps to larger growths the size of a pea. Don't freak out... these problematic growths usually don't burn or bleed, but can sometimes itch.

It's important to remember that once you've discovered genital warts, your sex life is not forever in ruins and your life is not over. You just need some help. I've helped a lot of people from this point forward, but as far as your gynecologist or doctor goes, they can prescribe a cream, however many people have reported it to badly burn and a lot of times not work very well anyway. It's also fairly expensive, especially when you have to go back and get more of it next time. Another option they might suggest is getting the warts frozen or burnt off. Sometimes this works for people, but many report the warts returning within three to four months.

When it comes to genital warts, just because you can't see them doesn't mean that the virus isn't busy at work. The only way to be sure that it's safe to have unprotected sex is to have your gynecologist check with a special magnifying glass. After about two years of no new eruptions, you've probably kicked the virus.

When something like HPV is so easily spread, we expect that every gynecologist will test for it along with the yearly exam and PAP. Right? Wrong! Here's the deal...

Almost ALL of us would have a positive HPV test should we be tested annually. But not all HPV viruses are worth even worrying about. They show no symptoms and our bodies beat them up and kick them out without us ever knowing it. So why have most of the women across America sweating it out for nothing?

Another reason? Who would guess that HMO's would be concerned with the cost-effectiveness of the test? So until you turn 30, or have symptoms that concern you, don't expect a test. Before 30, a PAP smear that checks the cervical cell is probably all you'll need or get.

What happens at 30? HPV that is still hanging around and hasn't been beaten by then could be cause for concern. At that point your gynecologist will want to watch closely to be sure cervical cells are not being affected, changing and become early stage cancer cells.

Cervical Cell Changes... Then What?

About 5 percent of the 55 million PAP tests performed each year come back ASCUS (indicating an undetermined abnormality). If this happens to you, don't start an all out panic attack yet. The lab will retest the cell sample for HPV. If the results are negative, the abnormal PAP was due to an inflammation.

What if it's not negative? The next step is a colposcopy, a procedure that let's your doctor get a close up look at the cervical cells. If there's nothing suspicious, a six month follow-up PAP will be scheduled. Any threatening looking cells will be sent off for a biopsy.

It gets scarier sounding by the moment, but even if you have cells sent for a biopsy the chances that you have anything to worry about are only 50/50. So keep your head on your shoulders and remember that most of the cases disappear on their own.

If after two years the cells haven't cleared up, your gynecologist may want to get rid of them using a scalpel, laser treatment or an electric current.

An HSIL (high grade cervical change) result is more cause for concern than the ASCUS. This means that precancerous or cancerous cell changes have been noted. You can expect a colposcopy, a biopsy, and even immediate removal of the cancerous cells.

The Shot That Prevents HPV From Getting Out Of Control

In 2006 the FDA approved a shot (for women only) that is nearly 100 percent effective for the two types of HPV that are the culprits in 90 percent of genital wart outbreaks. Better yet, it also protects against two virus types that 70 percent of cervical cancer cases stem from.

Just three shots in a six month period can keep you HPV free. Who can get these shots? Females between the ages of 9 and 26. The shot is intended to protect females by immunizing them before they become sexually active.

That may be good for them, but... what about the rest of us?

Once you've reached 27, you've probably already been exposed to the virus. Some gynecologists argue that women over 26 may not have been exposed to all of the virus types the shot targets and would also benefit from it. The only drawback is that the effectiveness of the shot has not been tested on women over 27. Should your gynecologist suggest that you get it, regardless, you may want to consider both the pros and the cons.

Don't throw away the condoms and safe sex rules! There are still cervical cancer causing types of the HPV that you aren't protected from. A vaccine targeting these four types is expected to be introduced soon. And another thing to think about... the shots are so new that they don't even know yet whether you'll need a booster shot every five years to stay protected!

Safe is Best!

Did you know that for every partner you slide between the sheets with during a month, your chances of contracting HPV increase ten times? It pays to put the breaks on your sex life, if it means living longer.

Smoking too is a cause for concern for gynecologists who detect cervical abnormalities. Their advice to women is to QUIT. Yes, I know it's easier said than done, but women who have HPV are 67 percent more likely to have cervical cell changes.

Here's the easy one... eat more pink and red fruits. Dining on a succulent and divine watermelon or eating a fresh vine-ripe tomato isn't hard to do. The great part is that while we're enjoying the delicious taste lycopene, an antioxidant, is invading your body and fighting for you. In fact, eating these two foods can decrease long-term infections from cancer causing HPV types by a whopping 56 percent!

As for men and those of you who have already contracted the virus or are out of range to benefit from the vaccine, you CAN be helped. Check out my website for pictures and more information.

If The Symptoms Of Genital warts Are Not Treated Early, It Could Lead To More Serious Conditions Like Cervical Cancer!

2007-06-09T21:55:00.000-07:00

Symptoms of genital warts - If spotted early enough and treated, can reduce the chances of developing cancer of the cervix.

Symptoms of genital warts can be many and varied and can even be mistaken for another disease. This is especially true hpv genital condition hasn't manifested itself in the form of physical warts. It must be noted that even though HPV is not curable as of yet, it is easy to find a cure for genital warts.

What Are The Symptoms of Genital Warts?

Like many other STDs, HPV infection often does not cause symptoms. One study sponsored by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) reported that nearly half of all women with HPV had no noticeable symptoms. However, in many cases, small, hard spots (easily visible to the eye) can develop within three weeks to three months after exposure.

In women, these warts can occur on the lips of the vagina, inside the vagina or even around the anus. Anogenital warts may cause itching. Women also develop cervical warts, which are flat lesions unseen in their early stages.

Some other symptoms may include:

Cauliflower-like appearing growths around the anus or genitals
Increased dampness or moisture in the area of the growths
Itching of the penis, scrotum, anal area, or a vulvar itch
Increased vaginal discharge
Abnormal vaginal bleeding (not associated with a menstrual period) after sexual intercourse

You may have all the symptoms of genital warts but still not have any physically on your genitals. One possible reason that symptoms of genital warts are mistaken for something else is that the warts can be almost invisible to the naked eye.

In these circumstances, your physician will take your symptoms into account and use a number of methods to determine whether you have genital warts. One of the most common is to dab a small amount of acetic acid (vinegar) on the suspected area infected with warts.

The symptoms of genital warts may also be missed if they occur within the vaginal walls. In this case, the symptoms could be of another disorder called yeast infection. That's why it's a good idea to seek immediate professional help when the signs of genital warts are detected.

Getting the most accurate diagnosis for the symptoms you are displaying is vital, the last thing you want is self diagnosing yourself, and the likelihood of you being wrong is high, and then treating yourself for a completely different condition. This can have further repercussions, in that using the wrong medication to treat a disorder can let your body become used that medication, rendering it useless when you will need it the most.

The flipside would be to ignore the symptoms of genital warts and leaving the condition untreated, leading to even more serious conditions such as cancer of the cervix. An even more worrying possibility is that if you have recurring genital warts symptoms, it could be a sign of cervical cancer or even HIV- AIDS.

Therefore the seriousness and the urgency of a proper checkup when you display any of these symptoms is paramount. You will then be able to receive the correct treatment needed to help you get rid of genital warts.

It must be noted that even though you can find a cure for genital wartswith the right treatment ad fight off the symptoms, the underlying virus, the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) cannot be cured. You will have to rely on your immune system to help fight the HPV virus.

Symptoms of Genital Herpes- Know More To Save Yourself

2007-06-09T21:53:00.000-07:00

Many people who contract genital herpes may not show any symptoms. Some may show mild symptoms that are taken as something else, while others may get severe problems. Genital herpes occurs in episodes. When you contract the virus, the virus travels to the nerve centers near the spinal cord. It travels back from there to the genital area and breaks out from time to time.

First Episode-

The first episode begins within a fortnight of contact. Some people get severe symptoms of herpes in this episode while others may get very mild symptoms of herpes during the first episode. The main symptom is appearance of lesions. You may see blisters filled with fluid or ulcers. The blisters rupture in to ulcers in few days and crust and heal within a month. The common areas are: on the vulva, penis, near anus, thighs, and inside vagina. Commonly women get more severe symptoms then men. If women get blisters in the vagina, cervix or urethra they may take it as something else.

The symptoms of urethra may be treated as urinary tract infection. The symptoms of the vagina or cervix may be treated as yeast infection, if they are also accompanied by a discharge. If a woman repeatedly gets such symptoms, she should get herself checked for herpes. Blisters in the urethra of men may also be misdiagnosed by the patient. One should keep watch over any such symptoms after having unprotected sex.

Painful urination and headache may also occur during the first episode. Some patients also show flu-like symptoms during the first episode. Those who get mild symptoms may take them as insect bites, rashes, ringworm, etc. As these symptoms resolve soon, people are left unaware of the fact that they have herpes.

Recurring Episodes-

Most often the recurring episodes are far milder than the first episode. While some may have up to eight episodes in a year, others may have only one or two episodes. The recurrence depends upon the triggers of herpes. Certain factors trigger herpes. If you are careless about them you may get more recurrences.

In the next episodes, the symptoms of genital herpes may appear like: ingrown hair, insect bites, pimples, spots, etc. If blisters form, they crust over in few days and resolve. Most of the following episodes resolve much quickly than the first episode. Symptoms mimicking hemorrhoids may also appear on the anus.

If you get repeated fissures or any other symptoms near or on the genitals, you should get screened for genital herpes. On average, a person having genital herpes from HSV2 may have three to four episodes of recurrence every year. Many times, despite the virus being active near the genitals, one may show no symptoms. But during this phase the person sheds the virus. That is called asymptomatic shedding.

Prodrome phase-

Prodrome is the early symptom that indicates that a disease attack is imminent. Many people feel some pain, tingling or itching before active onset of genital herpes. Within a day or two, lesions appear on the affected area. Once you recognize the prodrome, you should begin your medicines to reduce the intensity and duration of the attack.

DoctorGoodSkin.com is a popular skin care guide where you can find a lot of information, articles and tips about STDs, skin diseases and conditions, skin treatments and procedures, skin care, skin care products, etc. You will also find information about hair and nails.

You can try out some of the skin and health quizzes, to test your knowledge about various skin, hair and nail conditions. Other popular topics on the site include eczema, psoriasis, dermabrasion, hair loss, liposuction, cosmetic, sun damage, chemical peeling, etc. To learn more about Genital Herpes visit doctorgoodskin.com

Genital Herpes- The Types Of Common Tests

2007-06-09T21:51:00.000-07:00

The experienced eyes of the doctor commonly diagnose genital herpes. Most of the doctors recognize the disease with clinical examination. To confirm the presence different tests are done. Many times the test reports indicate absence of herpes.

They need to be repeated after some days. All the testing facility may not be available everywhere. You need to discuss with your doctor about the reliability of the test and identification of HSV1 or HSV2. The test reports may be misleading if sample is withdrawn from old crusted sores. The common tests that are done to find out the presence of herpes are as below.

Viral Culture-

The common test to confirm the presence of herpes is culture test. In culture test, a small sample of fluid or cells is taken from the suspected sore with a swab. This sample is sent for testing. Many times, the results may be negative but you may be having genital herpes. This test is therefore repeated after some time. The test reports of rapid viral test can take 2 to 3 days while that of standard culture may take up to two weeks.

Herpes virus antigen detection test- In this test, cells that are taken from the sore are viewed under a microscope,. The presence of herpes antigens confirms the presence of herpes infection. The results o9f this tests are reported in a day.

PCR- this test is done on cells or sores. In this test the DNA of herpes virus is detected. This test can identify between the two types of Viruses- HSV1 and HSV2. PCR results are reported within three days.

Blood test-

In blood test, blood is drawn either by a needle or with a pinprick. This blood is tested for the presence of herpes virus. Some tests can identify between HSV1 and HSV2. A blood test can only tell you about the presence of virus in your body. It cannot tell you if you have an active breakout.

Commonly blood is tested for the presence of anti bodies of herpes virus. Your doctor will inform you about the reliability of the blood test he/she has performed, because many varieties of blood test options are available. Antibody test results are reported within two days.

DoctorGoodSkin.com is a popular skin care guide where you can find a lot of information, articles and tips about STDs, skin diseases and conditions, skin treatments and procedures, skin care, skin care products, etc. You will also find information about hair and nails.

You can try out some of the skin and health quizzes, to test your knowledge about various skin, hair and nail conditions. Other popular topics on the site include eczema, psoriasis, dermabrasion, hair loss, liposuction, cosmetic, sun damage, chemical peeling, etc. To learn more about Genital Herpes visit doctorgoodskin.com

Genital Herpes- Some Facts Everybody Must Know

2007-06-09T21:49:00.000-07:00

1. Genital herpes and oral sex-

If your partner has cold sores (carrier of virus type1), he/she can pass HSV1 to you by performing oral sex on you. You will contract Genital herpes.

2. Genital herpes is not life destroying-

Genital herpes is not life destroying. A large population is living with genital herpes without any serious problem. Control your triggers and outbreaks of herpes. A person suffering from genital herpes is more susceptible to get HIV. Maintain a healthy life style and you can live life normally.

3. Genital herpes cannot be transmitted through toilet seat-

The herpes virus cannot live long on dead surfaces such as toilet seats, towels, etc. It is rare to contact herpes from these objects.

4. Silent transmission-

An affected person, who does not have any signs of active sores, can also pass on the virus. That is called asymptomatic shedding of virus. So if your partner is suffering from genital herpes, you may also get it even if your partner shows no active outbreaks.

5. You may get the indication of herpes outbreak-

Before any herpes outbreak there is a period called prodrome. During this period you may get sensations such as- tingling, itching or some pain. That indicates that the genital herpes will break out in a day or two. Genital herpes can also spread easily during this prodrome period.

6. Prevention-

The best safeguard for genital herpes is to have a single partner who is free of herpes. If not, use of latex condoms and minimizing partners may reduce the risk.

7. Pregnancy & genital herpes-

A woman who is having active sores in or near vagina or having her first outbreak of genital herpes can pass on the disease to her newborn. In such cases herpes is controlled with anti-viral medications and cesarean delivery is performed to protect the new born from contacting herpes.

8. Reducing the spread of virus-

Anti viral therapy reduces the shedding of herpes virus considerably.

9. Cure-

There is no cure for genital herpes. The virus remains in the body for life. You should get treated whenever you get active sores (ulcers) to reduce the intensity and period of the outbreak.

10. Recurring episodes-

Some people get active genital herpes only once, while others may have several recurrences through their lifetime.

11. Affected Areas-

In men, the affected areas of genital herpes include- urethra, penis, scrotum, anus and buttocks. In women, the herpes appears on external genitals, vagina, cervix, buttocks and anus.

12. Transmission-

Genital herpes commonly gets transferred through skin cuts or mucous membranes. Oral cavity, vagina, anus and glans penis are all covered with mucous membrane.

13. Testing- Herpes is tested with viral culture during active outbreaks. During dormancy (no visible signs), a blood test is performed. These tests are not very accurate and may need to be repeated.

14. Many people do not know that they have Genital herpes-

Many people who have genital herpes may not show any symptoms or the symptoms may be so insignificant that they ignore them.

Chlamydial Infections - Definition, Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

2007-06-09T21:45:00.000-07:00

Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted disease (STD). It caused by the bacterium, Chlamydia trachomatis, which can damage a woman's reproductive organs. Name "chlamydia" is derived from the Greek word "chlamys," which was a kind of cloak worn by men in ancient Greece. Even though symptoms of chlamydia are usually mild or absent, serious complications that cause irreversible damage, including infertility, can occur "silently" before a woman ever recognizes a problem. Chlamydia also can cause discharge from the penis of an infected man. Chlamydia is one of the most widespread bacterial STIs in the United States.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates 2.8 million people are infected each year.Chlamydia bacteria live in vaginal fluid and in semen. About 70 percent of chlamydial infections have no symptoms, thereby naming it the "silent" disease. Chlamydiae have a unique biphasic life cycle that is adaptable to both intracellular and extracellular environments. In the extracellular milieu, the so-called elementary body (EB) is found.

Chlamydophila psittaci infection is spread by bird droppings and aerosols and causes psittacosis. These infections are not discussed in this article. Symptoms usually appear within 1 to 3 weeks after you are infected. Those who do have symptoms may have an abnormal discharge (mucus or pus) from the vagina or penis or experience pain while urinating.

These early symptoms may be very mild. In women, bacteria can infect the cervix and urinary tract in women. If the bacteria move into the fallopian tubes, they can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). In men, bacteria can infect the urinary tract and the epididymis, causing epididymitis (inflammation of the reproductive area near the testicles).

Chlamydia is known as a "silent" disease because about 75% of infected women and about 50% of infected men have no symptoms. Even if symptoms are present, they may be mild and last only a few days, and may not be noticed or considered significant.

Causes of Chlamydial Infections

1.Chlamydia trachomatis.

2.Chlamydia pneumonia.

3.Chlamydia psittaci.

4.Unprotected intercourse (without condoms).

Symptoms of Chlamydial Infections

1.Vaginal irritation with discharge.

2.Cough and fever can occur in pneumonia (although the classic description is afebrile).

3.Eye discharge and/or swelling develop in conjunctivitis.

4.Lower abdomen tender to palpation.

5.Dysuria.

6.Exchange of sex for drugs or money.

Treatment of Chlamydial Infections

1.Chlamydial infection is treated with antibiotics azithromycin 1 gram oral as a single dose. Doxycycline 100 milligrams twice daily for seven days. Tetracycline, Erythromycin, Amoxicillin once a day until infection subsides, Ciprofloxacin 500 milligrams twice daily for 3 days.

2.Persons with chlamydia should abstain from sexual intercourse until they and their sex partners have completed treatment, otherwise re-infection is possible.

3.Having multiple infections increases a woman's risk of serious reproductive health complications, including infertility. Retesting should be considered for women, especially adolescents, three to four months after treatment. Latex male condoms, when used consistently and correctly, can reduce the risk of transmission of chlamydia.

4.Use condoms correctly every time you have sex.

5.Limit the number of sex partners, and do not go back and forth between partners. Practice sexual abstinence, or limit sexual contact to one uninfected partner.

6.Common methods of birth control, like the oral contraceptive pill or the contraceptive shot or implant, do not give women protection from STDs. Women who use these methods should also use condoms every time they have sex to prevent STDs. Get a screening test.

Genital Warts: A Common Sexually Transmitted Disease

2007-05-25T09:51:00.000-07:00

Genital Warts: A Common Sexually Transmitted Disease

Genital warts are also called condylomata acuminata or venereal warts. They are the most easily recognized sign of genital human papilloma virus infection. In women, genital warts occur on the outside and inside of the vagina, on the opening to the womb, or around the anus. In men, they are seen on the tip of the penis, on the shaft of the penis, on the scrotum, and just like in women, around the anus.

Genital warts often occur in clusters and can be very tiny or can spread into large masses in the genital or anal area. They do no appear until two to four weeks after infection and sometimes months pass before they become visible. They do not usually hurt, but they can be very itchy.

Genital warts are like raised, flesh-colored lesions or can be cauliflower-like appearing growths around the anus or genitals. Some early signs that one can be suffering from genital warts is the itching of the penis, scrotum, anal area, or in vulva, increased vaginal discharge, and abnormal vaginal bleeding after sexual intercourse, which is not usually associated with menstrual period.

People with many sexual partners are more at risk to have genital warts. And also those people who do not practice safe sex. Genital warts are very contagious and can easily spread during oral, genital, or anal sex with an infected partner. But these do not develop right after contact, Development of genital warts usually occurs within three months of contact.

In order to avoid being infected, use condom during sexual intercourse because this can partially protect you against genital warts. Keep in mind always that total abstinence is the only foolproof way of avoiding genital warts and other STDs. Also stick to one sexual partner who is disease-free. But if you suspect that you are already infected, you should contact your doctor immediately for early diagnosis.

Genital warts can be diagnosed by a doctor or other health care worker by seeing them on a patient though a clinical examination. But there are some genital warts that are so flat and almost become invisible to the naked eye. These "invisible" genital warts can be detected though by a doctor.

This is done by swabbing the skin with acetic acid, and the genital warts will then show as white patches on the skin. For women, in order to detect genital warts in the cervix, they should take a Pap smear test. In a Pap smear, a laboratory worker examines cells scraped from the cervix under a microscope to see if they are cancerous. If a woman's Pas smear is abnormal, she is very likely to have HPV infection.

Early diagnosis of genital warts is very important so that these can be treated soon and to avoid spreading the infection to others. It is important that both partners are treated and to make sure you follow the treatment. Genital warts are easy to treat when they are small and few by swabbing with the cell poison, podophyllum. In some cases, this condition can be referred to a skin specialist to remove the genital warts under local anesthesia using surgery, freezing, or laser treatment.

Remember that anyone who has previously been infected with genital warts runs the risk that they will return now and then for the rest of their life. So you should always be on the look out and practice safe sex.

10 important Facts About Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD's) & Sexually Transmitted Infections

2007-05-25T09:48:00.000-07:00

1. WHAT ARE SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES (STDS)? Sexually transmitted diseases are diseases that can be passed from person to person through sexual contact. In this case sexual contact means penis-vagina penetration, oral sex which is sexual contact using the mouth, and insertion of the penis into the rectum which is anal sex. Some of these diseases may be transmitted by exchange of sexual fluids such as semen or vaginal discharge. Some of the STD's result in open sores, and it can be spread by contact with skin of someone else. There are also ways to transmit these diseases in a non sexual way, an infected pregnant woman can either give it to her baby during pregnancy, or when the baby is being delivered. Drug abusers can transmit the disease through sharing hypodermic needles that have been used by an infected person. The seriousness of STD's varies, some are cured easily by drugs, others need a combination of treatments and drugs, whilst others have no cure, and the only option is treatment.

2. WHAT ARE SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED IINFECTIONS (STI's)? Any infection that is usually passed through sexual contact.

3.ARE THE TWO WORDS INTERCHANGEABLE. Fifteen years ago both these categories came under one name Venereal Disease (VD). To distinguish

between them they were separated into infections(STI) and diseases(STD). Infection means that a germ, bacteria, parasite or virus is present in the body. An infected

person does not necessarily have any symptoms, which means that they do not usually feel ill..A disease is any abnormal condition of the body or mind that causes

discomfort, dysfunction, or distress, in other words your body tells you that you are unwell. This means that STI covers a wider range than the term STD. STD

refers only to infections that are causing problems. Because most of the time, people don't know they are infected with an STI until they start showing symptoms of

disease, the AIDS Resource Center uses the term STD, even though the term STI is also appropriate in many cases.

Let's see if we can simply un-muddy the waters here. Genital herpes has two states when the blisters are present and when they are absent. When they are present they are causing symptoms, ie the blisters, at this stage it is an STD, and it is that this stage that the infection is most likely to be spread to another person.When the blisters are absent then there are no symptoms, and this is then an STI, and the likelihood of an infection is reduced. However HIV can be an infection, in the sense that there may be no symptoms, when they develop symptoms then they have AIDS which is an STD. However it is important to remember that HIV infection can be spread at any time.

4.WHAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN STD'S AND HIV? A person who is already infected with STD, has a higher risk of contracting HIV if they have unprotected sex, without a condom. This risk is greater if the STD causes open genital sores, as these wounds provide a break in the skin which enables the HIV infection to enter the blood stream. STDs that can cause genital ulcers include genital herpes, syphilis, chancre, gonorrhoea, trichomoniasis, and scabies.

5.WHY IS IT DIFFICULT TO RECOGNIZE THAT YOU MAY HAVE A STD. First of all the majority of the people with STD have no immediate symptoms and when they do have them it can be misleading to diagnose as the symptoms can be confused with non sexual diseases. Please note that this applies much more to women than men.

6. WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON SYMPTOMS FOR WOMEN WHEN THEY ARE SUFFERING FROM AN STD. unusual or A bad-smelling vaginal discharge, severe itching or burning in the genital area, unusual bleeding, pain in the pelvic region, pain during sex, rashes on the genitals, open sores or warts on the genital area, and/or recurrent urinary tract infections.

7. WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON SYMPTOMS FOR MEN WHEN THEY ARE SUFFERING FROM AN STD. In men, the most common symptoms of STD are: pain when urinating, open sores or warts on the genital area, genital rash discharge from the penis, and/or pain in the scrotum/testicles.

8. WHAT ARE THE OTHER SYMPTOMS NOT CONNECTED TO THE GENITALS The following symptoms are present in both men and women. discharge from the anus, swelling of the groin, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes), oral thrush (white tongue), arthritis, sores or bumps in and around the mouth, and generalized rashes.

9 CAN I CONTRACT STI AS A RESULT OF MUTUAL MASTERBATION Yes you can and listed below are some examples. Bacterial Vaginosis Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Herpes Simplex Human Papilloma Virus (HPV, Warts) Pubic Lice Scabies

10. CAN I PREVENT GETTING STI or STD The only foolproof way is abstinence from sex. A condom merely reduces the risk, and it must be used every time, before any sexual fluids are exchanged.

Sexually transmitted diseases - The Price of Sexual Freedom

2007-05-25T09:46:00.000-07:00

In this modern era, sexual freedom is taken for granted and little is thought of promiscuity as it was in past generations. However, the reality is that this sexual freedom also carries with it the very real threat of sexually transmitted disease. Because not all sexually transmitted diseases are curable, it is essential to take steps to avoid them.

A sexually transmitted disease or STD is actually a combination of several different conditions that are all acquired through sexual intercourse. AIDS, a disease caused by the HIV virus, is the most serious of the sexually transmitted diseases and, despite some progress in recent years, is still incurable and is usually fatal.

Some of the other problematic STDs include syphilis, gonorrhea, genital herpes, and non specific urethritis. There are also a few other diseases such as pubic lice, genital warts, trichomoniasis, and monilia that are classed as STDs but are of a less serious nature.

The incidence of sexually transmitted diseases has increased over time and today there are more recorded cases than at any time in the past three decades. This is because people, especially young people, feel that the use of contraception allows more sexual freedom and has led to a change in the views of sexual behaviour. It is also a fact that this sexual freedom has led to people becoming sexually active at an increasingly younger age. However, not all contraception can stop the spread of infections caught during sexual intercourse.

Syphilis One of the most serious STDs is syphilis which is highly infectious and, if it remains untreated, can result in death. Even if it is not fatal, the probability of disability is high.

Not only can the syphilis bacteria be contracted during sexual intercourse, but it can also be passed to the unborn child of an infected mother. The baby is then born with a condition known as congenital syphilis. This is quite uncommon in this era as all pregnant women undergo routine blood testing.

The incubation period for syphilis varies. The first symptoms can also vary, thus making early diagnosis difficult. Usually, the first symptom is a painless ulcer around the genital area, the anus, or the mouth. Because this ulcer heals without any medical intervention, the person doesn't normally do anything about it, thinking that it is nothing important.

If this disease is not treated early, it is likely to result in death. It is therefore essential that, if a person believes he or she may have been in contact with an infected person, that medical advice is obtained immediately.

Gonorrhea Another serious and very common disease contracted by sexual intercourse is gonorrhea. Often, the female is unaware that she is infected because around eighty percent have no symptoms. Other women suffer from dysuria (pain while urinating) or from lower abdominal pain. This is because it involves the fallopian tubes and can therefore lead to sterility.

The disease is more obvious for the male, resulting in dysuria followed by a discharge from the penis. This occurs within a week of contracting the infection. Gonorrhea in the male is usually confirmed by laboratory testing of the discharge.

A dose of penicillin is the normal treatment for gonorrhea in both male and female sufferers. It is also vital that the person abstain from alcohol and from sexual intercourse for a period of several weeks. Although the treatment relieves the symptoms quickly, it is essential that the person continues to have medical maintenance to ensure that the cure is complete. A responsible person should inform any sexual partners of their infection so that they may be examined and treated if necessary.

NSU

The most common sexually transmitted disease is nonspecific urethritis or NSU which continues to increase at an remarkable rate. Many cases of NSU are caused by the Chlamydia germ but not all. NSU is an inflammation of the urethra and has no identifiable cause.

The primary symptom is a discharge from the penis. This may be nothing more than moistness at the tip of the penis but this can vary. The discharge is different to the discharge in gonorrhea and makes it easier to recognize. There is also pain on urinating.

Genital herpes

Genital herpes, another sexually transmitted disease, has reached epidemic proportions in the Western world. This is because the herpes virus cannot be cured and so, once infected, the person carries the germ permanently. Thus, any person infected adds to the population of carriers.

There are two herpes viruses. The first one, HSV 1, is normally found around the mouth and is known as cold sores. The second one, HSV 2 , is an infection passed by sexual contact and is normally found in the genital area and the anus, as well as on the bladder, the buttocks, the thighs and the legs of both male and female sufferers.

After the first attack the virus lies dormant in the body. It will then recur time and time again, usually in the same place, appearing as a painful blister. When any of these blisters are open, the carrier is extremely infectious. Usually, the attacks are linked to emotional or physical lows such as depression, stress, or injury.

Genital herpes causes pain and distress to an adult but is not fatal. However, if the herpes virus is passed to an infant during its journey down the birth canal of an infected mother, it is often fatal. It is important for the mother to inform the medical professionals so that they can monitor her pregnancy and possibly advise her to have the baby by cesarean section.

Genital herpes cannot be cured but there are ways of making the attacks more bearable. By keeping the affected area clean and dry, the carrier can ward off secondary infections. Pain can be kept to a minimum by the application of cold compresses and also by taking salt baths.

Female sufferers need to have a pap smear annually as genital herpes has been linked to cervical cancer.

In women, vaginal discharge may constitute reasons for concern. However, if the discharge is clear, it is unlikely to be the result of disease. If the discharge is offensive and discolored and causes irritation to the vagina and vulva, it would suggest the presence of infection which may need to be investigated. It is essential that this is not allowed to continue and medical advice should be sought as soon as possible, especially if this is accompanied by abdominal pain and fever as it may be an indication of a sexually transmitted disease.

Prevention

Obviously, the best way to avoid sexually transmitted diseases is by abstinence or monogamy. However, if considering sex with a new partner, it would be wise to use a condom until you are sure about the person. If you are worried, cleaning the genital area thoroughly with soap and water after intercourse will kill many of the bacteria. This is true for both males and females.

It is extremely dangerous to apply antiseptic lotions to the genital area and particularly to pour strong antiseptic into the urethra or vagina as it can cause serious and permanent internal damage.

If you believe there is any possibility that you may have an STD, do not hesitate to seek medical attention. Everything that happens is confidential and no information is given to anyone without your permission.

Remember that the staff are there to help you, not to judge you, and the atmosphere is usually very friendly and helpful.

Genital warts- How To Avoid Them?

2007-05-25T09:43:00.000-07:00

Genital warts are bad. If they form in a bunch on your genitals, you will have a very bad time getting them treated and your relationships will shatter. They look very bad and they will rob you of all mental peace. How to avoid genital warts? With the relationships we have now a days, unless we become aware, we will surely get in to some problem. All of us try to think that bad things happen to others and not us. But that is only wishful thinking. Better to be safe than regret afterwards. To prevent genital warts, let us first understand them.

Genital warts- what are they?

Genital warts are caused a group of virus called HPV. This HPV virus also causes the common arts found on other parts of our body. The difference is in the type. HPV are of more than hundred types. The virus that causes genital warts is different to the virus that causes other warts. Virus of the same family of HPV also causes cervical cancer in women.

Genital warts- how do they occur?

HPV virus is transmitted by sexual contact. It can spread both by vaginal and anal sex. After you catch the virus you may not develop any warts for months or years. You are a silent carrier yourself unaware that you have contacted HPV. When the warts appear they will appear singly or in a bunch. They look skin colored bumps and form cauliflower shape. To learn more about the common warts, please click here- Warts. To learn about other STDs such as Herpes Simplex.

Genital warts in women-

In men the warts are seen but if they form in a woman's vagina, they will not be seen unless a doctor examines her. These warts spread very fast in the genitalia of women because the virus thrives in the moist warm surroundings.

To protect yourself from getting HPV, always use condoms and try to keep a monogamous relationship. Keep yourself safe at all the times. We will discuss the treatment of genital warts in next article.

What Are Sexually Transmitted Diseases

2007-05-25T09:38:00.000-07:00

Contagious diseases that are spread from one partner to the other during sexual intercourse are called as sexually transmitted diseases, or by their very popular anagram, STDs. STDs can affect anybody within the sphere of sexual population; hence it can be said that all STDs are global problems. Some of the very common STDs that are affecting the world population today are syphilis, gonorrhea, genital herpes, Chlamydia infection, hepatitis A, hepatitis B and AIDS.

STDs are mainly transmitted due to penetrative sexual intercourse, i.e. when the man inserts his penis into the vagina of the female. But most of the STDs can also pass on during other types of sexual activities like oral sex and anal sex. The microorganisms causing these diseases could be viruses, bacteria or fungi and they can generally live in most of the body fluids.

The chances of sexually transmitted diseases are very high when a person has sex with many partners, or has sex with a person who has many partners. Most STDs can be prevented by using a condom during any kind of sexual contact with a person of unknown sexual history.

Since there are many STDs, there are also many symptoms. Syphilis, which is also known as the French disease is diagnosable by the presence of button-sized warts called chancres near the genital area.

These chancres could also develop on the anus and in the throat region. Gonorrhea is commonly known as the clap or the drip disease. With a gonorrheal infection, a person will have continuous mucus-like discharge from the penis or from the vulva. In people with genital herpes, there are blister-like ulcers developed around the genitals. With almost all STDs, there are urinary problems.

Prevention of STDs is mostly through abstinence. Out of all the sexually transmitted diseases in humans, only two of them - hepatitis A and hepatitis B - are preventable by vaccination, but the others aren't. The best way of preventing them is then to limit the number of sexual partners, and to have sex only with people whose sexual history is properly known about.

Using a condom is also a good option, but if the condom is used in the wrong way, then it may lead to an infection. Also, condoms are not guaranteed protection. Condoms can only prevent the penis from coming in touch with the skin of the other partner; but it cannot prevent the rest of the genital area from coming into contact. Syphilis sores which are present all around the genital area can be transmitted even after using a condom.

Once a person is sexually infected, it is very necessary that he/she stop all sexual activity. It is a moral responsibility of any person to check the further spread of the STD. Also the person must make it amply clear to his/her spouse that he/she is a victim of the infection. All STDs except AIDS are treatable and the treatment is much more effective if it is started at an early stage.

Treatment of STDs adopts several different ways depending on which is the cause of infection. In conditions like genital herpes, where there is no cure, the infection may last throughout the life of the person. Alarmingly, this disease is found among about half a million in the US alone.

Chlamydia is another issue that requires constant screening to prevent from becoming an epidemic. Doctors surreptitiously check teens for such infections. Conditions like hepatitis A and hepatitis B are thought to be self-resolving with little medication.

One bigger concern with the sexually transmitted diseases is the large number of complications they can cause. Most of the STDs can cause impotence in men and infertility in women. Men could suffer from erectile dysfunctions, while both men and women can suffer from pain during urination and/or several abnormalities in the flow or urine. Add to that, there could be severe itching, pain, tenderness and blisters on the affected area. This could indeed make life miserable for the person as long as the STD lasts.

Hepatitis A and hepatitis B can cause severe liver problems in the long run. There could be cirrhosis of the liver, or liver cancer, both of which are fatal conditions. AIDS is the most dangerous of all sexual infections. It has no treatment yet, and the only option with this disease is death.

Sexually transmitted diseases are found more commonly among the sexually teen population of the developed countries. This population is generally ignorant about the repercussions of unsafe sex, and therefore indulges in it till it is too late. With age comes experience, and hence STDs are found to a lesser extent in the older population. Tourists are responsible for carrying STDs from one part of the globe to the other, and so also people who visit commercial sex workers are very much accountable.

Only proper education can control the problem of STDs. Governments of various nations are taking serious steps in eradicating the problem. School syllabi contain references of such diseases, and condoms are being freely distributed by charitable institutions to vulnerable populations.

Treatments and Medication for Genital Warts Available in the Market Today

2007-05-20T07:16:00.000-07:00

The Podofilox medication for genital warts is a cream based topical treatment. It's available as a prescription medication for genital warts but it can be applied at home. Directions for application should be followed strictly according to instructions or what your doctor prescribes. The way it works is by attacking the genital warts and dissolving them. A few weeks are needed for the Podofilox to work. Additionally this gel is not recommended for women who are pregnant.

Imiquimod is a medication for genital warts available only by prescription but it is one of the few that can be applied at home, and not under a doctor's supervision. Imiquimod is applied topically to the genital warts. Although the dosage and the results for children under 12 years of age have not yet been established, it can also be used to treat genital warts on children over 12 years.

It works by helping to boost your immune system, and this is turn can help to fight off any virus that you have. And since the human papilloma virus is just that, a virus, Imiqiumod works to fight it in this way. You should also be aware that Imiquimod can in some instances weaken condoms and diaphragms. So if you aren't already abstaining from sexual intercourse because of the genital warts, you should at least abstain whilst using this particular treatment method.

Trichloracetic acid & Bichloracetic acid, As the name implies both these medication for genital warts are acidic in nature and should be used accordingly. Both the Trichloracetic acid and the Bichloracteic acid, works by burning the wart away. It has to be applied by a physician as it is an acid treatment and therefore needs to be used carefully. The acid needs to be applied only to the genital wart infected area so that it doesn't burn the skin around it. This medication for genital warts should only be used as per your doctor's orders, and is applied as a topical agent.

Interferon medication for genital warts has many side effects associated with it, besides which it is also an expensive medication for genital warts. Most of the time Interferon is used when other methods of genital warts removal have failed, or when genital warts recur after successful surgical removal the first time around. Even after the use of this treatment though, the chances for recurrence of genital warts is much the same with as it is with other treatments.

For Interferon medication for genital warts to be administered a qualified medical practitioner must be on hand, as the correct dosage of Interferon is injected into the wart. Repeated injections may be needed to get rid of the genital warts. If you're thinking about using this treatment discuss all the possible side effects with your doctor first, and weigh all your options. Interferon medication for genital warts is also not recommended for women who are pregnant, people who have seizure disorders, pulmonary disorders or cardiovascular disorders.

Genital Herpes- Understand The Behavior Of The Virus

2007-05-20T07:11:00.000-07:00

Virus called Herpes Simplex Virus or HSV causes genital herpes. HSV is of two types- HSV1 and HSV2.

HSV1 is mainly responsible for causing Oral herpes also called as Cold sore. HSV2 is mainly responsible for causing Genital herpes.

HSV1 can also affect the genital area and cause genital herpes. Therefore if anybody has active cold sores and performs oral sex on anybody, the other person may get Genital herpes.

Though a healthy individual can also contract HSV2 in mouth, it rarely causes cold sores. To conclude HSV1 can cause both Genital herpes and Cold sores, whereas HSV2 can cause only genital herpes.

How the virus gets transmitted?

Genital herpes is transmitted by sexual contact. Anybody who has genital herpes can pass on the virus to his/her partner through a cut in the skin or mucous membrane. So every sexual encounter with an infected person can be cause of herpes.

Herpes episodes-

Herpes does not remain active all the time. It triggers in episodes. This is what happens- Once the virus enters the body, it multiplies rapidly. Most of the people suffer from the first episode of herpes, which shows as sores. After some days the virus travels back to the resting place near the spinal cord and remains dormant there. In most of the people the virus may get triggered again and it then travels back to the genitals and breaks-out as sores. Think of an aircraft, which remains in its hanger and flies out when instructed and then goes back to the hanger. Herpes virus behaves similarly. As there is no permanent cure of herpes, the virus remains inside the body for life.

Chlamydia - How Not To Get Chlamydia, a STD?

2007-05-20T07:00:00.000-07:00

Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease (STD). It is a silent disease because the symptoms appear very late in some people. They may not be aware that they have Chlamydia. A bacterium causes this infection. A partner sexually passes this bacterium to another partner. The question is- how to enjoy relationships without contacting Chlamydia which is dangerous if allowed to progress? Let me tell you how. Chlamydia- how it is passed?

Look inside your mouth and observe the skin inside. It looks different from your body skin, is it not so? This skin inside the mouth is called mucous membrane. The same kind of membrane covers your inner genitals and anal cavity. When this mucous membrane comes in contact with any secretion of a Chlamydia patient, he/she will get infected. The clue lies in preventing the mucous membrane coming in contact with any secretions of the affected person.

Chlamydia- what will you do to prevent it?

Let us take a real life example. Suppose you have a new partner and are not sure about the health. What would you do to prevent getting Chlamydia if your partner is a carrier? Don't allow any contact between the mucous membranes. Therefore avoid all kinds of oral sex. Kissing will also spread Chlamydia. Avoid it in the beginning. Involve only in sex protected by condom. Nothing else. After sometime, you may ask your partner if he/she has been tested for Chlamydia and know about the status. If you have not got yourself screened, it is time to meet a doctor and get the test done. It is a very simple test and will also tell you about other STDs.

Chlamydia can cause many complications if it is not treated in the early stages. Please look for these symptoms if you have had unprotected sex or sex with a partner whose status you do not know. The common symptoms of Chlamydia are- difficult and painful urination, discharge from penis or vagina, pain in the lower abdomen, pain in intercourse in women, pain or swelling in men. If you notice any of these signs, please contact your doctor without any delay. A course of antibiotics normally clears the infection in two weeks. Ask your partner to get treated as well. Otherwise you will get infected once more. Use condoms. Avoid having multiple sexual partners. Women should not douche. Douching increases the possibility of getting Chlamydia. To learn more about Chlamydia, click here - http://www.doctorgoodskin.com/ds/chlamydia/causes.php

Bacterial Vaginosis Treatment

2007-05-20T06:52:00.000-07:00

If you are amongst the people that suffer from bacterial vaginosis then you may wonder what it will take to take away the itching or the unbearable burning sensation. Maybe you have tried every possible bacterial vaginosis treatment available on the market and nothing worked, but trusts me there is other venture you might consider.

Although you think you might have tried everything (prescription and medication rounds) there are many other options available. Have you ever though about Natural bacterial vaginosis treatment?

But before you go that way you might want to consult your doctor just to make sure you are effectively suffering from bacterial vaginosis and not something else.

Other thing you might want to be informed about is if you intend on using herbal or natural remedy and are already taking medication. Just make sure one does not react adversely with the other.

This particular treatment is very popular and has been proven to work. Many women use it to get rid of their yeast infection. In fact you may already have heard it, this home remedy utilizes the aid of unsweetened yogurt.

There are two simple methods for this bacterial vaginosis treatment to be effective:

Method 1:

This method requires you to paint the walls of the vagina with the yogurt. This method can get fairly messy of course so we recommend you to wear a pad while the yogurt is applied to avoid spillage.

Method 2:

This second method is less messy and requires you to use a tampon. You just need to slightly coat the tampon in the yogurt and insert it into the vagina. Just make sure you replace it every few hours.

Another home remedy you can use as a bacterial vaginosis treatment is garlic. Note this treatment is not for the faint nosed. Garlic is known as a basic wonder-herb, it can do just about anything you need. Of course this treatment is not for everybody if you can’t smell garlic then just don’t use it But many swear by this method. It is a great bacterial vaginosis treatment.

One of the methods you can with use garlic involves peeling it first; you then wrap the garlic clove in a piece of gauze then tying it off with regular dental floss. Then you need to insert it into your vagina. Just make sure to leave a length of the dental floss dangling to be able to pull it out. Repeat every few hours until the infection gets better.

Of course these Natural treatments may not be for you in that case you should turn to other alternative Natural remedies. There are various treatments available from gamut to apple cider vinegar bath to garlic suppositories and yogurt coated tampons.

Understanding Bacterial Vaginosis

2007-05-20T00:44:00.000-07:00

Bacterial Vaginosis is the most common vaginal infection of American women. Also known as Gardnerella-associated Vaginitis or just Vaginitis, the condition results from an overgrowth of bacteria in the vagina.

If you have Bacterial Vaginosis, you might notice signs like discharge, odor, itching, burning or pain. Women suffering from Bacterial Vaginosis often notice a strong fishy or unpleasant musky odor particularly after sexual intercourse. Additionally, you may notice more discharge than normal, and the discharge can be thin and of a white or gray color. Many women with the infection feel itching or irritation. However, some women don't have any signs of Bacterial Vaginosis at all. In fact, experts say that more than 50 percent of women with Bacterial Vaginosis have no symptoms at all.

Though Bacterial Vaginosis is listed as a sexually transmitted disease by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the disease is considered a mild infection and the actual cause of the disease is not known. Though you can't catch it from someone, women who have not had sex are rarely affected by Bacterial Vaginosis. However, women with multiple sex partners or are currently with a new sex partner are more likely to develop the infection.

To understand how Bacterial Vaginosis might occur, one needs to understand how the natural flora function in the vagina. In the vagina, there is a greater balance of what's considered to be good bacteria. These bacteria are of the same type that you might eat in yogurt--lactobacilli. Also present are the bad bacteria, but the good bacteria keep them in balance. When Bacterial Vaginosis occurs, the balance of power shifts toward the bad bacteria as they overtake the natural good bacteria flora.

If you think you have Bacterial Vaginosis, you must seek treatment from your doctor. If the infection is left untreated, it can spread up into the uterus or fallopian tubes and cause a more serious infection. For pregnant women, treatment is especially important because the infection can travel up into the uterus.

Diagnosis is made by your doctor by both physical exam and laboratory test. On the physical exam, the doctor can observe the irritation and discharge as well as smell the odor. The laboratory test will determine the presence of the bad bacteria, Gardnerella, and the lack of lactobacilli, the good bacteria.

Treatment includes an antibiotic regimen taken either orally or vaginally and may include Ampicillin, Ceftriaxone, Clindamycin, Tetracycline or Metronidazole.

Syphilis - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

2007-05-20T00:37:00.000-07:00

Syphilis is a bacterial infection. It is also called 'the pox'. It is usually acquired through sexual contact with another infected person. Syphilis can be spread during vaginal, anal, or oral sex through contact with an open sore or contact with a skin rash. The bacteria can enter the body through the penis, anus, vagina, mouth, or through broken skin.

Causes

The syphilis bacterium can infect the baby of a woman during her pregnancy. Depending on how long a pregnant woman has been infected, she may have a high risk of having a stillbirth (a baby born dead) or of giving birth to a baby who dies shortly after birth. Treponema pallidum is extremely sensitive to light, air and changes in temperature. Because of this, the disease is difficult to transmit except by intimate contact. You can't contract syphilis from using the same toilet, bathtub, clothing or tableware as an infected person.

Symptoms

In men, the first sign of syphilis may be a sore on the penis. In women, the first sign may be a sore around or inside the vagina. You might not even notice the sore, because syphilis sores don't hurt. The sores go away after 3 to 6 weeks.

Primary or early symptoms: The first symptom of syphilis infection is usually a small painless sore in the area of sexual contact. The sore usually appears about 2-6 weeks after exposure and disappears within a few weeks.

Secondary symptoms: Shortly after the sore heals, a rash all over the body, swollen lymph nodes, fever, or tiredness may be noticed. These symptoms also disappear within a few weeks. Even though the initial symptoms of syphilis clear up on their own, the syphilis bacterium will remain in the body if not treated.

Latent symptoms: During the latent stage of syphilis, there are no symptoms, but the bacterium is still in the body.

Treatment

Treatment is simple during the primary and secondary stages, and involves either a single antibiotic injection or two-week course of antibiotic tablets. If your child is sexually active and tells you that he or she has symptoms of any type of STD or knows that he or she had sexual contact with someone who has syphilis, it's important to help your child get treatment as soon as possible.

Condoms lubricated with spermicides (especially Nonoxynol-9 or N-9) are no more effective than other lubricated condoms in protecting against the transmission of STDs. Based on findings from several research studies, N-9 may itself cause genital lesions, providing a point of entry for HIV and other STDs.

Tips on How to Get Rid of Genital Warts

2007-05-20T00:34:00.000-07:00

If you are suffering from genital warts then I suspect that the first thing that comes through your mind is: "How to Get Rid of Genital Warts", and you would be right. You should be aware that in some cases the genital warts are visible and quite unpleasant to look at but in other cases they just won't be visible.

Unfortunately some people will do everything they can to get rid of genital warts before seeking a doctor or physician help. For some people it is very difficult to admit they are suffering from this disease as there is very often a part shame associated with genital warts and STD's in general.

Unfortunately there is too much people suffering from warts in secret. This condition often come with its loads of shame, they rather prefer suffering in secret instead of seeing their doctor to admit they are suffering from warts. They often do all they can to get rid of their genital warts by themselves.

If you are one of those person you must be careful not every over the counter medicine are good for treating genital warts. In fact most of them, if not all, are way to strong to apply to such a sensible area. On top of that you won't get rid of genital warts as these medications (for removing warts) are not useful to get rid of your problem.

I would advise you against such methods. In some case it can make your situation a lot worse. These medication have some acidic ingredients which is far to strong to apply in your genital area.

Rest assured there are other method to get rid of genital warts, but I would strongly advise you to first seek a doctor's assistance to get a proper diagnosis of your condition. This in turn will make sure you get the proper treatment.

Once you get a proper diagnosis it's only a matter of deciding which kind of treatment you will use to get rid of your genital warts. Once again you should discuss this matter with your physician to be aware of the various options that are available to you.

Overall the decision you will have to take is between using surgical methods to get rid of your genital warts or use medication to help you solve your problem.

These two are probably amongst the most viable options to get rid of genital warts. Of course the treatment you will choose will only depend on your preference in the matter. Of course your general health condition will also be a determinant factor. If you are pregnant then you probably should go with the surgical methods as you will not be able to use most of the prescription medication if not all that are commonly used to get rid of genital warts.

Make sure you take all those factors into account when you are looking for the right genital warts cure. You need to be well informed on the various ways to get rid of genital warts.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

2007-05-20T00:31:00.000-07:00

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common causes of sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the world. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are approximately 6.2 million new cases of sexually transmitted HPV infections reported every year. Health experts estimate there are more cases of genital HPV infection than any other STI in the United States.

There are more than 100 different types of HPV that are classified as high risk and low risk, out of which 30 HPV spread through sexual contact. Some types of HPV cause genital warts. Single or multiple bumps are seen in the genital areas of men and women including the vagina, cervix, vulva (area outside of the vagina), penis, and rectum in such cases.

These are classified as low risk types. Common skin warts on the hands and soles of the feet could be caused by some types of HPV but they do not cause genital warts. You can get Genital warts during oral, vaginal, or anal sex with an infected partner as they are very contagious. HPV infection can also spread by skin-to-skin contact during vaginal, anal, or (rarely) oral sex with someone who is infected. In women Genital warts can grow inside and around the outside of the vagina, on the vulva (opening to the vagina) and cervix, groin and in or around the anus.

In men, genital warts can grow on the penis, scrotum, thigh, groin, or in or around the anus. While rarely, genital warts grow in the mouth or throat of a person who has had oral sex with an infected person. The size of genital warts may be so small, you can't see them with your eyes or it can be flat and flesh-colored or look bumpy like cauliflower.

It is a possibility that warts may never appear. They may cause itching, burning, and discomfort. In fact, most people with low-risk types of genital HPV never know they are infected because they don't get warts or any other symptom. Most sexually active people have HPV at some point in their lives, though most will never know it because it usual growths are usually flat and invisible

It is said that approximately 10 of the 30 identified genital HPV types can lead, in rare cases, to development of cervical cancer. High-risk types of HPV could lead to cancers of the cervix, vulva, vagina, anus, or penis.

To know that you have an HPV infection you can have a Pap test. This test can find changes on the cervix, caused by an HPV infection. The doctor uses a small brush to take cells from your cervix. It is a simple, fast and the best way to find out if your cervix is healthy. If you are of the age of 30 and above the doctor may also do an HPV test without a Pap test. If you have genital warts then as said earlier it can tell you that you have an HPV infection. HPV mostly does not causes serious health problems in men, with the exception of anal cancer in men who have sex with men. There is no test for HPV in men.

The HPV vaccine is generally recommended for 11-12 year-old girls. It can also be given to girls as young as 9. The vaccine is also recommended for females’ from13 to 26 years of age who have not yet received or completed the vaccine series. The vaccine should be given before the females are sexually active as they get the full benefits of the vaccine when they are not infected with any of those four HPV. It is yet not know if the vaccine is effective in boys or men.

Genital Herpes

2007-05-20T00:26:00.000-07:00

Genital herpes is one of the most prevalent sexually transmitted disease (STD). A sexually transmitted disease is a disease that you get by having sex with someone who already has the disease. Genital herpes is usually caused by the herpes simplex virus type 2 (known as HSV-2). The disease is usually transmitted by sexual intercourse, with the virus passing from the infected partner via the skin, vagina, penis, or anus. Once you are infected, the virus stays in your body for life. You can give herpes to another person if you have sex when your herpes virus is active. HSV remains in certain nerve cells of the body forever, and can produce symptoms off and on in some infected people.

Genital Herpes is spread through direct contact. So, a genital herpes infection will stay in the area it originated unless transferred elsewhere via direct contact or skin-to-skin transference. Herpes won't just show up on its own somewhere else on the body. Because herpes is spread through direct contact, it is important to avoid contact with infected areas. If a herpes infection is not localized, further complications may occur. Herpes is equally common in males and females.

HSV-1 can cause genital herpes, but it more commonly causes infections of the mouth and lips, so-called "fever blisters." HSV-1 infection of the genitals can be caused by oral-genital or genital-genital contact with a person who has HSV-1 infection. Genital HSV-1 outbreaks recur less regularly than genital HSV-2 outbreaks.

Most of the people who are infected with HSV-2 have no symptoms of disease or they do not recognize their symptoms. Only about one third of people who first become infected with HSV-2 have symptoms. These symptoms often include fever, headache, genital pain, genital discharge, and blisters. Even if you have no symptoms, genital herpes can be diagnosed by testing your blood for an antibody to HSV-2. When signs do occur, they typically appear as one or more blisters on or around the genitals or rectum. The blisters break, leaving tender ulcers (sores) that may take two to four weeks to heal the first time they occur.

Typically, another outbreak can appear weeks or months after the first, but it almost always is less severe and shorter than the first episode. Although the infection can stay in the body indefinitely, the number of outbreaks tends to go down over a period of years. Once the virus infects you, it moves from the skin or membranes around the genitals to the central nervous system, where it remains for life. The virus can “wake up” or reactivate to cause a recurrence of the disease. When reactivation occurs, the virus travels down the nerves to the skin. It may cause blisters, genital itching, tenderness, burning, tingling, or redness, but it usually just makes copies of itself with no symptoms.

Gonorrhea: A Sexually Transmitted Disease

2007-05-20T00:24:00.000-07:00

Gonorrhea is one of the highly infectious sexually transmitted disease. Gonorrhea is caused by certain from of bacteria called Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Gonorrhea infection thus increases the risk of one being infected by HIV (human immunodeficiency virus, a virus which causes AIDS). When gonorrhea affects men it first infects the epithelium column of the urethra. Gonorrhea is transmitted to the vagina of the women through sexual intercourse, as the cervix in women is considered as the prone site of getting affected by gonorrhea from the male sex organs. Gonorrhea thus only spreads through the process of sexual intercourse. Gonorrhea also has the possibility of being transmitted to the new born child from the infected mother during the time of delivery thus causing the infants to suffer from eye infections. Spread of gonorrhea to the newborn babies is a rare case at present as babies eyes are protected through application of some eye medicines.

“But how does gonorrhea affects or spreads into the women body cells?” is a basic question which needs to be answered. Gonorrhea spreads into the fallopian tubes of the women thus resulting in inflammatory diseases in the pelvic region. But when a woman is sexually abused, it is more likely that the women will suffers infection in the genital tract or the infant will suffer infection in the mouth or the rectum.

Gonorrhea symptoms can be witnessed in both male and female as it is a sexually transmitted disease, though the symptoms may vary between the male and female sexes. In the women the cervix is generally affected with this disease which is very much contagious and it is transmitted to them from the male folk in the process of sexual enjoyment. Women when gets affected by gonorrhea may experience symptoms like abnormal bleeding, vaginal discharges, irritation at the outer area of the vagina and also may experience burning sensation due the process of urination.

In the opposite sex that is in men, gonorrhea affects the urethra. The symptoms of gonorrhea in men may be experienced through pus like release from the penis tip, urinating frequently, bleeding during the process of urination, sting during urination, swelling glands and also sometimes may experience the head of the penis turning red. When gonorrhea affects the throat or the rectum of both men and women symptoms like pain, discharge and swelling may be witnessed. Thus as gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease it is very likely that both the sexes of male and female gets affected by it.

Chlamydia - Its Effects and Symptoms!

2007-05-20T00:21:00.000-07:00

People infected with Chlamydia or Gonorrhea, which is an inflammation of the urethritis (in women) and the tip of the penis (in men) can either be with or without the discharge, (clear discharge for Chlamydia and white discharge for gonorrhea) typically associated with these diseases. This inflammation may also be caused by other things such as Trichomonas vaginalis and as such the urethritis infected with Chlamydia tends to be softer than those infected with gonorrhea, where the infected area is covered with what resembles heat bumps, or rashes. Men not only suffer from inflammation of the penis but also swelling of the testicles accompanied by pain and swelling.

Chlamydia does not leave any external scars, but with the swelling that occurs in both the male and female organs they can result in internal injuries that can leave them sterile. Chlamydia does not have any physical signs externally, except for swelling and redness in the affected area of the urethritis and the penis. That is why it is difficult to tell if a person has contracted Chlamydia. Unlike gonorrhea, which has little bumps that look something like a rash or a set of pimples and it is also red and swollen

Because the infections are more internal than external, women who are pregnant and have the Chlamydia virus can infect their new born babies with this disease during childbirth when the baby is in the passage way. The baby can either develop pneumonia or very serious eye problems and also respiratory disorders. Some men and women also suffer from swelling in the rectum accompanied by pain and bleeding or discharge, which is usually associated with having anal sex. Oral sex is another way that this disease can be transmitted to the eyes, which become very swollen and droopy and this can lead to blindness.

There is not much else to describe how Chlamydia looks like, except that it is red swollen and secretes a while substance that looks like (pus/fungi) and it is very painful to the touch. It makes it very uncomfortable to urinate and is painful for some women during sexual intercourse. If you would like to see some of the photos of what Chlamydia looks like you can go on the internet and type in this question and you will get a couple of internet sites that actually have some pictures, although there are not that many, because there is really not much to see because all the damage is internal.

What You Need To Know About Aids

2007-05-20T00:13:00.000-07:00

AIDS is the fifth leading cause of death among persons between ages 25 to 44 in the United States. About 60 million people worldwide have been infected with HIV since the start of the epidemic. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) causes AIDS. The virus attacks the immune system and leaves the body vulnerable to a variety of life-threatening infections and cancers.

The growing impact of AIDS in Africa, Asia and Latin America has prompted the United Nations World Food Program to appeal to donor countries to fund food and nutrition for those afflicted.

The symptoms of AIDS are primarily the result of infections that do not normally develop in individuals with healthy immune systems. These are called opportunistic infections.

Patients with AIDS have had their exempt structure depleted by HIV and are really vulnerable to such opportunistic infections. Common symptoms are fevers, sweats (especially at night), bloated glands, chills, failing, and weight loss.

Transmission of the virus occurs. The three main ways HIV is passed to a very young child are:

While the baby develops in the mother's uterus (intrauterine)

At the time of birth

During breastfeeding

Among teens, the virus is most commonly spread through high-risk behaviors including:

Unprotected sexual intercourse (oral, vaginal, or anal sex)

Sharing needles used to inject drugs or other substances (including contaminated needles used for injecting steroids and tattooing and body art)

In very rare cases, HIV has also been transmitted by direct contact with an open wound of an infected person (the virus may be introduced through a small cut or tear on the body of the healthy person) and through blood transfusions. Since 1985, the U.S. blood supply has been carefully screened for HIV.

Tests for HIV have become cheaper and more obtainable for governments, but this has unfortunately lead to standalone HIV testing programs that the Human Rights Watch has criticized for being coercive, discriminatory, lacking in confidentiality and deficient in prevention information.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) Guide

2007-05-19T23:56:00.000-07:00

Sexually transmitted diseases are escalating nowadays when more people have started entering into multiple sexual relationships. They might not consider this ethically wrong but the fact remains that such people are more prone to sexual diseases. However, if unfortunately one gets infected by any such disease, it is better to start ailment as soon as possible for these diseases have the potential to ruin your entire life. People often are embarrassed and scared to disclose their problem to others even to their friends but they fail to realize that delaying diagnose is compromising with their life. Thus, as soon as you fear a sexually transmitted infection, approach a doctor.

This article informs the readers about certain primary STDs and their symptoms.

1. AIDS and HIV

• Transmitted through- AIDS and HIV are two more or les related diseases. The HIV stands for the ‘human immunodeficiency virus’ and the disease that spreads through it is known as AIDS i.e. ‘acquired immune deficiency syndrome’. HIV travels through blood. It can be transmitted from one HIV positive person to his partner through sex. It can also pass on from the HIV positive mother to her child through infected breast milk and even from an infected syringe or other equipments that come into contact with the blood of the HIV positive to any other individual who is treated with the same devices.

• Symptoms- weak immune system and susceptible to more infections than usual. HIV gets translated to AIDS when the HIV patient acquires a particular indicative illness.

• Preventive Measures- not much available yet. But avoid taking drugs. Maintain hygiene.

2. Chlamydia-

• Infected via- the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis is the cause of this infection. Once this bacterium enters the individual’s body it affects his mucous membranes, eyelids and even reproductive tissues.

• Symptoms- the symptoms Chlamydia often confused with another similar STD called Gonorrhea and even with Conjunctivitis due to eyelid infection. The common symptoms to this disease are pain during sex, burning and abnormal discharge. Chlamydia can be without any typical indications also.

• Prevention- the disease is curable. As a precautionary measure one should maintain hygiene during sex and get medical check up done in order to avoid infection.

3. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease- usually women are afflicted by this disease. It is a an infection in the upper genital tract and reproductive organs including ovaries, uterus and fallopian tubes.

• Spreads through- Chlamydia and Gonorrhea are the two STDs that are most often responsible for this disease. Women between 15 to 25 years of age are more prone to be infected by it. Excess douching can also lead to PID for it cleanses the naturally beneficial bacteria from the women’s vagina.

• Symptoms- When ailing PID, women might experience pain during intercourse, burning and even fever.

• Precautions and Cures- antibiotics are useful to cure PID. But it is recommended to get frequent check ups done and in case the disease is discovered medicines and proper treatment should commence the very moment for PID can be unexpectedly harmful in later stages.

4. Gonorrhea- infects the individual’s sensitive tissues of reproductive system.

• An individual can acquire this disease through all types of sexual contacts like oral sex.

• Indications- the indicators to Gonorrhea are very few which makes it all the more difficult to adjudicate it and so stop it from being transmitted from one to the other person through sex. Symptoms are akin to Chlamydia so the two diseases are liable to be confused with each other. A person suffering from Gonorrhea experiences unusual discharge, burning, pain during sexual activity, swelling, fever and other infections like women may have bleeding between periods.

• Remedies and Safety- treatment should commence in initial stages to cure Gonorrhea. Those who are pretty active in their sexual life should get check ups done on a regular basis to be on a safer side.

Apart from these there are several other STDs not discussed here like Hepatitis, Scabies, Herpes, Syphilis, HPV etc. which are most common in ones. It is better to acquire information about them once you are sexually active and consult a gynecologist every now and then to avert from all kinds of STDs.