Psychiatrists have been urged to talk about HIV PEP and PrEP with their patients who are at risk of contracting HIV due to the nature of their illnesses.
Continue readingPsychiatrists Can Help Reduce New HIV Rates With HIV PEP
Transitioning from HIV PEP to PrEP
Researchers recommend that users of PEP, a drug that prevents risk of HIV infection after exposure to the virus, be put on PrEP which is used before exposure.
Continue readingHIV PEP in China Still Hard to Come By
Access to emergency HIV prevention drug post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is very limited in China putting those who in need of it at high risk of getting HIV.
Continue readingScotland Report: School Education on HIV Prevention Options Like PrEP & PEP is Important
HIV Scotland has released a report recommending that students in secondary schools be taught about sex, HIV, and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).
Continue readingOntario to Offer PrEP Drug Under Its Public Health Plan
Ontario has added HIV PrEP, a HIV prevention drug, to its Health Ministry list of publicly covered drugs making it affordable and accessible to more people.
Continue readingNew STD Testing Method Giving Men More Privacy During Screening
New STD testing method to allow men to get tested without having to expose themselves to health care providers and preserve their privacy.
Continue readingSTDs: Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) still carry enough of a stigma to intimidate those who might need testing or treatment for this disease. One of the biggest mistakes someone can make is waiting to be tested when there’s even a slight possibility of exposure. Some STDs can be completely eradicated with little to no discomfort when caught early. There are some that are viral, and can’t necessarily be cured—but can be pushed into a dormant state. This is only possible when the testing is done early enough to allow for immediate treatment. The taboo nature of the subject has created an educational deficit for many. There are people who don’t understand the many different ways of contracting an STD, how to identify symptoms, or how to ask for help. Asking for help is often one of the most difficult steps to take, and can be made worse when they are young or embarrassed about their sexual encounters.
Waiting too long can give the STD time to do permanent damage within the body. When the symptoms become too bad to ignore, you’ve definitely waited too long to seek help from medical professionals. There are clinics that specialize in these sorts of treatments, and who strive to make you feel comfortable in the environment. Many of these doctors completely understand the trepidation some people experience when realizing they may have been exposed to an STD. They know the right questions to ask, and can offer help without judgment. One of the most important things in cases like this is education. Contrary to popular belief, not everyone has the information that they need to avoid STDs.
Abstaining from sexual contact is the only real way to completely avoid the risk of STDs. Practicing safe sex is the next best thing. If you or someone you know has questions about the different methods of protection, there are STD clinics in Singapore that can help educate you. It’s much easier to prevent an STD than it is to treat it. People who do choose to be sexually active should use more than one form of protection. It’s also a good idea to get regularly checked if multiple partners are involved. Consider these facts before making any decisions:
Do All STDs Have Symptoms?
Not every STD symptom will be obvious. In fact, there are several that have no symptoms at all at first. Gonorrhea’s symptoms are initially very mild for women, and can be overlooked or mistaken for something else. Chlamydia can also remain dormant for quite a while, allowing it to go undetected. The only way to truly know whether or not you’ve been infected with a STD is to get tested by a reliable and professional medical facility. Regular testing is a good idea after any unprotected sexual experience, and can stop the additional spread of an asymptomatic disease.
Is Testing Completely Accurate?
It’s always a good idea to get tested after any sexual encounter, but testing twice is recommended. There are some instances where people test too early, and the disease hasn’t multiplied enough to show up in the tests yet. Medical professionals suggest retesting six weeks after the first test– especially if it was done only 24-48 hours after possible exposure.
How Long Does Testing Take?
Some test results can take over 10 days depending on the type and methods used. During the waiting time, treat the situation like the tests are positive. Avoid potentially exposing other people to the disease, and it’s suggested that you refrain from sexual activity until you have the results. You have a personal responsibility to make every attempt to protect others from infection.
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HIV PEP and Doxycycline shows signs of offering protection against syphillis and chlamydia among men having sex with men.
Continue readingMSM with Early Syphilis Should be a Priority Group for PrEP in UK
Men having sex with men (MSM) who have early stage syphilis are at a high risk of acquiring HIV and should therefore, be high on the priority list for HIV PrEP.
Continue readingLiving with a Viral Sexually Transmitted Disease
Recent statistics suggest that 1 in 4 people will suffer from a sexually transmitted disease (STD) at some point in their lives. This is a scary figure, and one that can be better controlled with proper education and protection. The problem is that too many people want to avoid this topic. They’re either embarrassed by their sexual activity, or they don’t understand how to properly protect themselves. Doctors have heard it all. They aren’t going to be shocked if you come in with a question about something that you’re experiencing. Actually, most doctors would prefer that you come to them instead of letting small problems turn into big ones. Before starting sexual activity, it’s important to get all of the facts. An understanding of different methods of protection and what they can actually protect you from is a good place to start. In all reality, you are more likely to get an STD than you are to get pregnant.
This means that it’s imperative to focus on more than just contraception. Taking hormonal birth control or having any kind of contraceptive implant will not protect you against the spread of infection. This is true for both men and women. If you’re male and your partner is on oral contraceptives, you can still pass STDs. Almost all infections are passed via skin to skin and mucous membrane contact. Avoiding actual intercourse doesn’t prevent the spread of STDs either. There are ways to spread these infections orally and anally. Any time that you expose any part of yourself in a sexual way, it’s important to be protected.
Condoms are a good place to start, but they don’t cover all of the bases. You may need to talk to a physician about other forms of physically protective contraception. These coupled with hormonal birth control methods can protect against both pregnancy and the spread of STDs. It’s never too late to start learning how to protect yourself. If you’ve been having unprotected or under protected sex, it’s a good idea to regularly visit a clinic that specializes in STDs.
The people working there won’t judge you, and they’re specially trained in this field. They understand that everybody makes mistakes, and some people get into bad positions and need some help. STDs can be extremely serious, and it’s a matter of life or death to seek treatment. As soon as you think you’ve been exposed to an STD or experienced unprotected sex, go get tested! There are times when catching the otherwise deadly HIV virus can be completely stopped if caught within 72 hours of infection
Bacterial infections like syphilis and chlamydia can easily be cured with antibiotics if caught before the symptoms progress. If you choose to ignore these, they can develop into potentially life-threatening conditions. It’s absolutely not worth the risk to wait on treatment. Early treatment is the difference between extensive surgery and a simple shot full of the right antibiotics.
Viral infections are a bit different. The majority of these are present for the rest of your life. This doesn’t mean that they are always going to be in their active form. People who suffer from things like genital herpes will often have flareups when their symptoms return. There are medications that can keep flareups at bay, and allow them to lead a fairly normal life.
Living with a viral STD has been greatly improved with the development of medications and treatment options that can virtually eliminate the symptoms. The key to overcoming these is to be completely honest with your doctor and to seek treatment as quickly as possible.