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STD Testing Guide (2022)

If you are sexually active, you might have heard the following advice from health experts many times: Use protection and get yourself tested for STDs (sexually transmitted disease).

This is critical because you may have a sexually transmitted disease without being aware of it. Of note, there are no apparent signs or symptoms in many cases. In fact, that’s why doctors and other experts prefer the term STIs or sexually transmitted infections because you can have a symptom-free infection.

But what kind of STI testing you should go for? And how to get tested? The answers depend on multiple factors such as your age, sexual activity and other associated risk factors.

What STIs should you be tested for?

There are a variety of different STIs out there. Speak to the doctor to find out which ones you should be checked for. You may be recommended to be screened for one or more of the following:

Gonorrhoea
Chlamydia
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
Herpes
Hepatitis B
Trichomoniasis
Syphilis

Your physician probably won’t offer to test you for certain STIs unless you have a known exposure, experiencing specific symptoms or you ask for the test.

How to get tested for STDs?

The STD testing is fast, simple, and usually doesn’t hurt. There is not a single test for all STDs; each STD has a different test. A physician will help you figure out which tests you need. The STD tests can include:

Urine routine examination – For urine R/E, you just have to pee into a cup.
A cheek swab – It is a test to check for HIV. You have to rub the inside of your cheek (to collect saliva) with a gentle swab.
Blood test – The blood sample will be collected from your arm.
Genral physical exam – The doctor looks at the genital region to check for rashes, warts, irritation, sores, or discharge.
Checking the sores – Using a swab, your nurse or doctor will take a sample of discharge from any blisters or sores you have.

Where can I get tested for STDs?

You can be screened for STIs at a sexual health clinic or your regular doctor’s office. It’s a matter of personal preference where you go. A variety of STIs are notifiable diseases. This means that the doctor or nurse is legally obliged to report positive outcomes to the government. The government collects information on STIs to support policies in the field of public health. Online tests and at-home tests are also available for STIs, but they are not always accurate.

How much does an STD test cost?

The cost of STD testing depends on what tests you need, where you go, and whether or not you have health insurance.

As a part of the Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare), many health insurance policies covers STD testing. STD tests can be free or low cost for Medicare and other government services. And depending on your income, some clinics – including many planned parenthood health centers – are offering free or low-cost STD testing.

Whether you have health insurance or not, planned parenthood provides you with the services you need. If you are concerned about the cost, consult your local planned parenthood health center to see if they can lead you to an STD test that suits your budget.

HIV Positive? What is HIV Exactly?

You must have heard the name ‘HIV’ at least once in your life, either from the news reporters on the television, reporting about cases of HIV in various areas, or from eavesdropping in someone’s hushed conversation. Either way, the thought of knowing more would have occurred to you. In this article, your curiosity will be satisfied, and by the end of it, you will delve deep on this topic than ever did.

WHAT IS HIV?

Our bodies are marvelous in the way they perform many functions. Would you believe me if I told you that our bodies have armies of their own? Well, believe it or not, all human beings have a defense system inside their bodies. This defense system is commonly called the ‘immune system.’ It protects us by being on the front line against many infections, diseases, and various other health issues.

What would happen if some foreign virus or bacteria get past our defense cells? If something like that happens, we will be immuno-compromised, which means that our immune system has become weak and will not be able to do a good job of protecting us. That is when we catch a disease.

Once we contract the HIV or ‘Human immunodeficiency virus’ from an affected individual, our immune system will start weakening. This virus attacks our defense cells, also known as T-cells. Consequently, our bodies become vulnerable to many diseases and infections. There are many different types of bacteria inside our bodies that will not waste a minute in taking advantage of our immune-compromised body. As a result, the possibility of getting sick significantly increases.

HOW DOES HIV SPREAD?

The mode of transmission of HIV is through the bodily fluids of an infected person, such as blood, semen, pre-seminal fluid, rectal fluids, vaginal fluids, and breast milk. The rectum or anal area, vagina, penis, and mouth have mucous membranes, so; a person can be affected if their mucous membrane or damaged tissue comes in contact with these fluids or when someone is injected with unsterilized needles or syringes. It can be spread through the following ways:

The majority of the cases are reported to spread through unprotected intercourse with an HIV infected person.
It can also spread by the usage of contaminated needles or syringes.
In some cases, a mother can transmit the virus to her child during pregnancy, birth, or through breastfeeding.
Swallowing of vaginal fluid or semen of the infected person can cause infection.
Getting bitten by a person with HIV can also be a reason for transmission.
An HIV positive person with sores or bleeding gums can infect a healthy person through kissing.
Receiving unscreened blood transfusions, organ, or tissue transplants can also cause HIV.

Many myths go around regarding the ways HIV can spread, such as through hugging, handshaking, etc. It does not. Keep in mind that they are all just mere myths and not facts. Just be alert and careful instead of harboring unnecessary anxiety.

TESTING FOR HIV

Testing for HIV test takes ten minutes. It can be performed either at home or at the clinic. It requires a few drops of blood to get tested. All sexually active individuals from 16 years to 65 years, should at least be screened once for HIV.

HOW DANGEROUS IS HIV?

Because of the immune-compromised state, our bodies can be affected by several diseases, infections, and tumors, among which some of the possibilities are:

AIDS: ‘Acquired immune deficiency syndrome’ or AIDS is the most advanced stage of HIV in which our bodies continually become weaker and easy targets for infections, tumors, and cancers. These illnesses are called ‘opportunistic infections.’ It can also cause death in some cases.
Pneumonia: This is a life-threatening lung infection that is one of the biggest risks for people with HIV infection.
Candidiasis: it is a fungal yeast infection that can cause severe effects on lungs, trachea, bronchi, and esophagus.
Herpes Simplex: People with HIV can have pneumonia, bronchitis, and esophagitis through herpes.
Tuberculosis: This bacterial disease is also one of the many possibilities. It mainly affects the lungs.
Septicemia: This is a type of blood infection that may cause severe issues.

TREATMENT OPTIONS

HIV is indeed a scary virus, but it doesn’t matter because, with adequate treatment and firm faith, we can fight and kick it far away.

The primary purpose of HIV treatment is to provide the infected person with medicine that stops HIV from multiplying further to reduce HIV or viral load from the body. Possible infections and diseases are kept under preventive control. The treatment options are:

It can be treated by providing the patient with antiretroviral therapy (ART), which is a medicine that has to be taken regularly. This does not eliminate the virus but reduces the risk of further infection.
Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is also an effective treatment option.
In case you are pregnant, your doctor may also screen you for HIV in addition to other sexually transmitted infections. Some antivirals can be given to expectant mothers and newborns.
Some people with HIV also take other types of medicines, e.g., antibiotics, every day to prevent HIV-related opportunistic infections.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

Diseases are certainly bound to make us all feel anxious, but if we are alert, cautious, and know the preventive methods, we will be safe and healthy. After all, ‘Prevention is indeed better than cure.’

Before having sexual intercourse, we should make sure to get ourselves, and our partner tested for HIV.
Intercourse should not be without protection. Use a condom every time you have vaginal, anal, or oral sex
A sexually transmitted disease (STD) can also increase the chances of HIV infection. If diagnosed with STD, get treated as soon as possible.
Do not use un-sterilized drug injections, nor share it with others to avoid getting others infected.
Do not share razors or toothbrushes with others
In case of suspected transmission, the best method for the prevention of HIV in unaffected people is through the usage of pre-exposure prophylaxis(preventive) drugs. It consists of antiviral drug used as a strategy for HIV and/or AIDS prevention. It can stop HIV from taking hold of a healthy body.

HIV / Other STDs - 04/01/2020

What is HPV (Human Palillomavirus)?

What is Human papillomavirus infection?

Human papillomavirus or HPV is the most common sexually transmitted viral infection. It can result in skin warts, genital warts and some forms of cancer. There are many types of HPV which can cause different health problems but the types of HPV which are transmitted sexually usually infect the genital area of both men and women including the vulva, vagina, cervix, rectum, anus, penis and scrotum.

How do you get infected with HPV?

HPV can easily be transmitted via sexual skin-to-skin contact with an infected individual. So you can get infected if your mouth or genitals touch the genitals of someone who is already infected. This usually happens as a consequence of oral, vaginal and anal sex. People with multiple sexual partners are more susceptible to HPV. Thus, HPV can be transmitted even without sexual intercourse taking place. Since HPV is the most common STD (Sexually transmitted disease), it is estimated that most sexually active individuals contract HPV at some point in their lives. Occasionally, infected individuals are asymptomatic because the virus remains dormant which amplifies the chance of spreading it to their sexual partners.

What are the symptoms of HPV?

Often, HPV infected individuals don’t show any symptoms and are visibly healthy. But sometimes, HPV tends to cause serious health problems. These include genital warts and some forms of cancer.

People with a long-lasting HPV infection are at a greater risk of developing fatal health issues. High-risk HPV infections include:

Cancer of the cervix (cervical cancer) or vagina (vaginal cancer) in women and cancer of the penis (penile cancer) in men caused by an infection in the genitals.
An HPV infection around the anus can cause anal cancer in both men and women.
Oral cancers in men and women due to infection in the mouth and throat.

These medical conditions usually manifest themselves years after the person is first infected.

How is HPV treated/ Is HPV curable?

There is no available treatment for an HPV infection. But you can consult a doctor for treatment options pertaining to serious health issues arising from the infection. There’s no cure for HPV, but certain precautionary measures can keep you safe and healthy. As they say, “Prevention is better than cure.” Vaccines play a pivotal role in the prevention of the types of HPV infections that can cause cervical and vaginal cancer in women. These HPV vaccines are also really potent against infections that cause genital warts. For unvaccinated individuals who have contracted high-risk types of HPV that can eventually lead to cancer, PAP tests and/or HPV tests is the optimal way to prevent cervical cancer.

PAP-SMEAR & HPV TESTS

A Pap test sometimes called a Pap smear is the most common technique used to detect an HPV infection. A Pap test is used to find cell changes or abnormal cells in the cervix. Cells collected from the cervical lining are sent to a lab and looked at under a microscope to check for abnormalities. The Pap test is very effective in finding cancer cells and cells that may eventually become cancerous.

HPV is a virus that can cause changes in the cells lining the cervix. The HPV test is designed to detect the virus instead of changes in the cells. An HPV test is usually done at the same time as the Pap test, this is referred to as co-testing. Both these testing techniques are only effective for cervical abnormalities in women caused by the HPV. Unfortunately, there is no approved HPV test for men at this time which is why physical examination is the only way to detect HPV infections of the genitalia in men.

How can I make sure I don’t get or spread HPV?

VACCINE:

Vaccines also called vaccinations or immunizations prepare the body to fight against germs that cause infections. The HPV vaccine can help prevent an HPV infection. Mostly, an HPV infection of the genitals, mouth and throat doesn’t develop into cancer, but it is still tough to predict if one can get cancer from an HPV infection. Thus, it is imperative to vaccinate yourself as a preventative measure.

There are 3 different types of HPV vaccines, but the availability of each type depends on where you live. The HPV vaccine is given in a series of shots and the dosage for the shots depends on the individual’s age:

For people ages 9-14, you get 2 HPV shots. The second shot is given 6 months after the first one.
For people ages 15 and older, you get 3 separate HPV shots over the course of 6 months.

Anyone between the age of 9 to 26 can get the HPV vaccine to protect against genital warts and/or different types of HPV infections that can cause cancer. It’s highly recommended for children of age 11-12 to get vaccinated so they’re immunized years before they become sexually active. Pregnant women are discouraged from getting the HPV vaccine. The HPV vaccine can’t cure an HPV infection that a person already has. That’s why it’s recommended to get vaccinated while you are still a virgin. But regardless of your age or sexual history, talk with your doctor to find out if the HPV vaccine could still benefit you.

Several researches have confirmed the safety of the HPV vaccine. The most common side effects include redness, swelling or soreness where the shot was given. To make sure that you don’t experience these side effects, the doctor/nurse will instruct you to stay on the examination table for a few minutes after the shot.

The vaccine is really effective at preventing the types of HPV infections that can cause cervical or vaginal cancer in women and genital warts in both men and women. It might also lower the risk of other types of cancer. Although, the vaccine is not perfect it is still your best shot at preventing an HPV infection.

Minimizing the spread of HPV

Not having sexual intercourse can help avoid skin-to-skin contact. Also, using condoms and/or other contraceptives can lower the risk of transmission to a certain extent.

HPV / Other STDs - 03/30/2020

Having Both Genital Herpes and HIV? Here are the Treatments

Since both the infections are sexually transmitted, having similar risk factors, the prevalence of herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 2 infections in HIV-infected patients is high (50 to 90 percent), and recurrent infections can be more frequent, severe, and of longer duration than in HIV-seronegative patient populations.

Antiviral treatment of first-episode HSV-2 infection certainly reduces the disease duration but does not eliminate the hidden, inactive virus, which can subsequently reactivate. Clinical HSV recurrences are a common problem among HIV-infected patients, particularly those with advanced immunosuppression ( patients with deficient white blood cells that give immunity to the body).

Antiviral Medications

The drug class nucleoside analogs (acyclovir, famciclovir, and valacyclovir) have well-established safety and efficacy for the treatment of genita7 ybl HSV infections in HIV-infected patients; these drugs are generally well tolerated at the presently recommended doses.

Each of the recommended agents has been showed to decrease pain, duration of sores, and viral shedding with comparable efficacy and safety among HIV-seronegative patients with primary and recurrent HSV-2 infection. As the efficiency appears to be almost similar among all of these antiviral agents, the selection of any one drug (e.g., acyclovir, famciclovir, or valacyclovir) should be decided based on cost, formulary considerations, and frequency of dosing for patient convenience.

Main Treatment Priciples

The principles of treatment of HSV-2 in HIV-infected persons are similar to those for HIV-uninfected persons. The antiviral therapy is recommended for all patients with first-episode genital HSV infection. However, the clinicians should be aware that the treatment of HSV-related disease in the HIV-infected host should continue until all lesions have completely healed. Also, some patients may even require hospitalization depending on disease severity, although most cases can be managed by oral medications.

The HSV antiviral therapy in HIV-infected patients with clinical recurrences of HSV-2 infection compared takes precedence over no intervention at all. Management options of recurrent disease include episodic therapy (e.g., self-administration of antiviral drugs for individual outbreaks as they arise) or suppressive therapy (daily use of antiviral medications for long-term maintenance).

The recommended doses of antiviral treatment are higher for both suppressive and episodic therapy for HSV recurrences in HIV-infected patients as compared to those in HIV-seronegative patients. In the HIV-infected patient with HSV ulcerative disease, treatment should continue for a minimum of five days or until lesion resolution.

Although most of the patients can be treated with oral regimens, patients with severe ulcerative disease or brain involvement may require intravenous therapy initially with acyclovir.

Immune Reconstitution Syndrome

The initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV-infected patients with advanced immunosuppression can lead to a paradoxical worsening of underlying HSV infection. Therefore, clinicians may sometimes prescribe coadministration of antiretroviral therapy for HIV and suppressive HSV antiviral therapy.

Living with Herpes / Other STDs - 02/20/2020