30
October

Trichomoniasis

In our previous articles we have covered STDs (Sexually Transmitted Diseases) like chlamydia, herpes and syphilis. In this article we will be looking at yet another type of STD, Trichomoniasis, that is very common but, thankfully, also curable.

What is Trichomoniasis and what are its symptoms?

Trichomoniasis is a STD that is caused by a parasite that can easily be transferred from one person to another during sexual intercourse. In women, Trichomoniasis results in an inflammation of the vagina known as vaginitis. Symptoms could also include vaginal discharge, perhaps foamy, that is gray, yellow or green in color. The discharge may have a bad odor and leave the vagina feeling very itchy.

It is also possible that women with Trichomoniasis have no symptoms.

In men, the majority of Trichomoniasis cases have no symptoms. There maybe a temporary feeling of irritation inside the penis or a slight burning feeling when peeing.

Trichomoniasis symptoms usually appear within a month from exposure to the infection. Like a lot of other STD types, Trichomoniasis can increase a person’s risk of contracting HIV and, in pregnant women, it can lead to pre-mature birth. A case of Trichomoniasis can be accompanied by other STDs like chlamydia and gonorrhea so your doctor will have to test you for more than just Trichomoniasis.

Treatment

Prevention is the best cure but if abstinence from sex isn’t possible, latex condoms should always be used during sexual intercourse. It is always better to prevent an infection than it is to treat it.

If you have had unprotected sex and think you might have been at risk of contracting Trichomoniasis, you should see a doctor as soon as possible to check for the infection and any other STD. Your doctor will check the secretions from your penis or vagina for traces of the infection. Antibiotics are used to treat Trichomoniasis and its imperative that you notify your sexual partners of your infection so they can get tested too.

While you are getting treated for Trichomoniasis or any other STD, you should abstain from sex to prevent the infection from spreading to other people. Even if you wear a condom in a subsequent intercourse, you are putting the other person at risk as conditions arising from Trichomoniasis and especially STDs that produce sores and rashes can increase the risk of transferring the infection.

For more advice on Trichomoniasis and other STDs, as well as treatment options, visit us at the MedHelp clinic.

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30
October

Syphilis: Treatment

In our last two articles, we gave a brief introduction to the nature and causes of an STD (sexually transmitted disease) known as Syphilis. We then provided detailed information on the four stages of the disease and the associated symptoms. In this article, we will look at how syphilis can be treated.

Prevention is better than cure

As with every STD, it’s easier to prevent infections than it is to treat them. While complete abstinence is the only way of preventing STD, latex condoms are very effective in reducing your risk of contracting an STD. This is true for syphilis as well which spreads through anal, vaginal or oral intercourse.

If you have syphilis sores, its best to abstain from sex until the skin has healed or otherwise you would be putting your sexual partners at risk of contracting the disease as well.

Treatment

If left untreated, Syphilis can lead to dangerous complications in both men and women. The bacteria causing syphilis, spirochetes, can spread throughout the whole body and affect major organs like the brain and the heart. Some of the complications, such as certain types of brain damage, can’t be treated. Pregnant women who transfer their syphilis to their unborn babies are at risk for severe birth defects. Syphilis also increases the risk for an HIV infection as the sores that appear as a result of syphilis can make it easier for other infections to gain entry to the body. It is therefore very important to seek treatment for syphilis as soon as possible.

You should see your doctor or gynecologist as soon as possible after having unprotected sex especially if you have had multiple sexual partners. The syphilis sores, known as chancres, are difficult to see and detect for yourself so you should regularly see your doctor for check-ups to know if the sores have appeared or not. Your doctor can test for syphilis using the discharge from the chancres or by doing a blood test and checking for the infection.

Syphilis in the early stage can be cured by just the use of antibiotics. However, if you have been infected for a long time, you will need a longer period of treatment. Damage to the body as a result of a later stage of syphilis is often untreatable. However, even then it is essential to seek treatment to prevent further damage. You should also notify your sexual partners of your condition so they can seek treatment as well.

Visit us at the MedHelp clinic for more syphilis treatment and prevention advice.

 

 

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30
October

Syphilis: Stages and Symptoms

In our last article we provided an introduction to the STD (sexually transmitted disease) known as syphilis and briefly looked at its causes. We also mentioned how syphilis spreads in different stages and there are certain symptoms associated with each stage. In this article we will be providing more detail on the different stages and symptoms.

Primary Syphilis

The sore related to syphilis is known as a chancre and it’s often painless. This sore can appear on the vagina, penis, rectum or mouth anywhere from 10 days to 3 months after exposure though most people get it in less than a month. You could have more than one sore as a result of a syphilis infection and they appear on those parts of the bodies through which the syphilis bacteria, spirochete, travel from one person’s body to another’s. The chancre usually sticks around for a few weeks after which it will disappear. However, while this is often taken as a sign of ‘getting better’, it is no such thing and the syphilis infection will actually get worse if it’s left untreated.

Because the syphilis sores are painless and often in ‘hidden’ areas (in the mouth or rectum, or under the foreskin), they are difficult to detect which leads to many infected people not even knowing that they have the infection and passing it to others they have intercourse with. Syphilis is highly contagious during the first stage and it is therefore important to see a doctor if you have had unprotected sex and think you might be at a risk for contracting the disease.

Secondary Syphilis

Rashes (on the palms and soles) and flu-like symptoms such as fever and achiness are next. They are associated with the secondary stage of syphilis and appear weeks or months after the chancres disappear. The secondary stage is when most infected people start noticing that something is wrong. But even then the rashes can be confused with symptoms of other diseases.  Like the chancres, the secondary syphilis symptoms also disappear on their own but the disease continues to worsen if left untreated.

Latent Syphilis

If the syphilis hasn’t been treated in the first two stages, the infected person goes through a period of latency in which they will have no symptoms of the disease but the bacteria will still very much be inside the body. This latent stage can extend to multiple years and the spirochetes remain hidden inside the body.

Tertiary Syphilis

If the syphilis infection has remained untreated, some patients will develop tertiary syphilis during which the spirochete spread throughout the whole body. The bacteria can then affect the brain, eyes, spinal cord, heart and bones. Patients could face difficulty in walking, gradual blindness, numbness and even death as a result of tertiary syphilis.

As you can see, treating syphilis in its early stages is essential to preventing significant damage later on. Visit the MedHelp clinic to get tested for syphilis and receive more advice.

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30
October

Syphilis

Over the last few weeks, we have covered the causes of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) like gonorrhea, chlamydia and herpes. We have also discussed prevention and treatment advice. This week we will be turning our attention to another major type of STD, syphilis.

What is syphilis?

Syphilis is a STD that spreads due to bacteria known as spirochete. The bacterium is really small and can take up residence almost anywhere in the human body. Under a microscope, it looks like a tiny spiral which is how it gets its name.

What causes syphilis?

Syphilis can be spread through any type of sexual intercourse (oral, vaginal and anal) if you come in contact with a syphilis sore. While syphilis cannot be passed through objects like door knobs and toilet seats, it can be passed from a mother to her baby while she’s still pregnant. The 90s saw a downward trend in syphilis contractions but there’s been an upsurge again and there have been numerous reported cases among, especially, sexually active young adults and homosexual men.

If syphilis is left untreated, it can lead to serious consequences including death. However, fortunately, it is easily treatable in its early stages. That’s why it’s important to see a doctor as soon as possible if you have had unprotected sex and think you might have contracted a STD.

What are the symptoms of syphilis?

There are four distinct stages of a syphilis infection. As mentioned earlier, the sooner a syphilis infection is diagnosed and treated, the better your chances of recovery. The more you wait before seeing a doctor, the more you heighten your chances of developing serious complications that could have easily been avoided.

Syphilis symptoms range from painless sores on certain areas of the body (usually the genitals) during the early stage of the infection to numbness and even blindness in the tertiary stage (which has a possibility of resulting in death). The four stages of syphilis infection are categorized as primary, secondary, latent and tertiary according to the progress and state of the disease. In our next article, we will be going into detail about the symptoms associated with each stage. For now, it’s important to note that since the early sores associated with syphilis are often painless, a person might not even know they have contracted the disease if the sores are hidden from their view (such as if the sores are inside the mouth or anus). Therefore, it is important to see a doctor if you have had unprotected sex and not wait until something starts hurting.

Visit us at the MedHelp clinic for more advice.

 

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30
September

Gonorrhea: Treatment

In our last article we discussed the causes and symptoms of gonorrhea, a sexually transmitted disease that spreads through oral, vaginal and anal sex. Gonorrhea can have very serious consequences which is why its not only important to know its effects but also how to get it treated effectively.

What can happen if you have gonorrhea?

As we discussed in the last article, gonorrhea doesn’t necessarily result in observable symptoms. This characteristic, unfortunately, can not only prevent early detection but also significantly delay a person’s knowledge of their condition until more severe damage takes place. In women, untreated Gonorrhea can lead to a medical condition known as PID (pelvic inflammatory disease) as well as infertility. Pregnant women who have gonorrhea can pass it to their newborn who, as a result, could suffer from severe conditions like meningitis and blindness.

Gonorrhea can also cause infertility in men by spreading to the epididymis (which is a structure attached to the testicles that assists in transporting sperm) in the male body. Pain and swelling in the testicle region caused as a result can lead to scar issue that lead to infertility.

Though less common, gonorrhea can also spread to other organs (throat, eyes, heart, brain etc.) in both men and women.

How is Gonorrhea treated?

If you think you or your partner has gonorrhea, you should see your gynecologist or doctor immediately. Gonorrhea is diagnosed through an exam in which your doctor may check your urine sample or, for women, swab the vagina for discharge and conduct an analysis. The same sample can be checked for other STDs like syphilis or chlamydia.

If you are your partner are diagnosed with gonorrhea, your doctor may prescribe you antibiotics. Anyone you have had sex with (especially in the last two months) should be notified of your results so they can get tested as well.

Early detection and quick treatment can reduce the complications resulting from gonorrhea and protect you from its serious consequences. If your partner has gonorrhea, you should abstain from sex until they have been treated. This will lower both your chances for contracting gonorrhea in the future as contracting it once does not make you immune to it.

As with all other sexually transmitted diseases, the most surefire way of preventing gonorrhea is by abstaining from sex. Other than that, latex condoms are the most effective way- and the only birth control method- for reducing your risk for contracting STDs if you do have sex.

For more information and treatment options, visit us at the MedHelp clinic.

 

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30
September

Gonorrhea

So far, we have discussed Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) in general and provided a comprehensive overview of two specific STDs: Chlamydia and Genital Herpes. Moving forward, we will be talking about another major STD type in this article, Gonorrhea.

What is Gonorrhea?

Gonorrhea is caused by bacteria known as Neisseria gonorrhoeae. This bacteria is passed from person to person through unprotected sexual intercourse (anal, vaginal and oral). The infected person may or may not have symptoms which can make it difficult to know whether someone has gonorrhea or not. This also puts their sexual partner(s) at risk since the infected person themselves are not aware that they have it.

While Gonorrhea can be transferred through sex and from a mother to her baby during childbirth, you can not contract gonorrhea from objects like door knobs, toilet seats and towels. Non-sexual physical contact with an infected person, generally, also poses no risk.

Gonorrhea symptoms

For women, gonorrhea symptoms include a burning sensation during urination, a yellow-green vaginal discharge and/or vaginal bleeding during menstrual periods. However, a lot of times, girls who have gonorrhea will either have no symptoms or such mild ones that they might not even notice anything wrong.

If the gonorrhea infection starts spreading widely, it could infect the uterus or fallopian tubes and result in a condition called pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) that can cause pain in the abdominal area as well as during intercourse and fever in addition to the symptoms mentioned above.

For guys, gonorrhea symptoms are usually more noticeable. They can include a burning sensation during urination and a yellowish-white discharge from the urethra that appears at the tip of the penis. It is possible for men to have gonorrhea, not have any symptoms and, therefore, not know they have it.

Generally, symptoms take up to seven days to appear and, for girls, the period between contracting the infection and appearance of symptoms could be even longer.

Because gonorrhea, like certain other sexually transmitted diseases, does not necessarily cause observable symptoms, it is important for every sexually active person to have a regular medical check-up. Prevention is the best cure for all sexually transmitted diseases but early detection can make all the difference in how much damage an STD can cause.

For more information on gonorrhea and advice on safe sex, visit us at the MedHelp clinic where our expert medical staff will be pleased to answer all your queries.

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30
September

Herpes: Treatment

In our last article, we talked about the causes and symptoms of genital herpes, and what you can do to prevent it. Now it’s time to discuss the treatment options available to you.

What to expect if you have herpes

Herpes, unfortunately, has no cure- which is why prevention is the best possible solution. However, if you have contracted genital herpes, there are a number of things you can do about it that can help alleviate the pain during an outbreak, control the virus and stop it from spreading.

Usually, after the sores and blisters resulting from an outbreak disappear, the infected person seems to think the virus has gone away. However, genital herpes- both HSV-1 and HSV-2 – can remain hidden inside the body surfacing only in periodic outbreaks. Generally, a person might have four or five outbreaks in a year but this amount is different from different people. The frequency of outbreaks usually lessens over time.

Since herpes can not be cured, it will always remain in the body and you are in danger of spreading it every time you have unprotected sex. The chances are higher if you have unprotected sex during an outbreak (when you have blisters or sores on the genital area) but you could also transfer the virus even in the absence of an outbreak.

It is highly recommended to abstain from sex during a herpes outbreak because the sores and blisters that appear as a result of an outbreak can increase the chances of contracting HIV infection. Because of the damaged skin, the sores provide a break in the skin that HIV can enter the body through.

Pregnant women can pass herpes virus to their newborns. The risk is especially high if the mother contracts the virus and suffers from her first outbreak during her pregnancy. Herpes virus can cause brain damage, seizures and meningitis in newborns.

Treatment

One way to reduce the chances of spreading the herpes virus is by using anti-viral drugs. You could get these drugs through a prescription from your doctor. Anti-viral drugs help in controlling recurring genital herpes and can clear up the painful sores that appear during an outbreak. Your doctor can also advise you on the best way to keep the sores dry and clean, and live more comfortably. By significantly reducing the discomfort associated with a herpes outbreak, you can effectively manage the infection.

Visit us at the MedHelp clinic for your antiviral prescription as well as detailed treatment advice from out qualified team of expert doctors.

 

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30
September

Herpes

Last month, we provided a comprehensive overview of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) and followed it up with a detailed look into the causes and treatment for one specific STD, Chlamydia. In this article, we will be discussing yet another kind of STD: Genital Herpes.

What is Genital Herpes?

Herpes is a viral infection caused by a virus called HSV (Herpes Simplex) which has two different types: HSV-1 and HSV-2. HSV-1 causes sores and blisters around the mouth while HSV-2 affects the genitals. A person with an HSV-1 virus type can transfer the virus to another’s person genitals through oral sex. HSV-2 causes genital herpes that can spread through oral, vaginal and anal sex. While unprotected sex is the major cause for genital herpes (due to the infected skin touching the genital area), herpes can also spread through secretions in the saliva.  However, because the virus can not exist outside the body for long, you can contract it from an object such as a toilet seat.

Symptoms of Genital Herpes

Genital Herpes only results in observable symptoms if you have an outbreak. You could have the virus but not have any symptoms if you don’t have an outbreak of sores and blisters. That means you could have herpes and not know you have it. This increases the risk of you transferring the virus to a sexual partner.

When genital herpes does result in an outbreak (as it often can), there are a lot of uncomfortable symptoms. A person with herpes might start feeling itchy or pained. This is followed, in a few hours or days, by sores that may appear on the penis, vagina, anus, buttocks and/or scrotum. The sores start out as red bumps before turning into highly discomforting watery blisters.  The sores may bleed, ooze fluid and/or make it very hard to urinate- and they can take a few weeks to go away. In addition to the pain in the genital area, herpes is accompanied by symptoms similar to that of flu: headaches, fever and swollen lymph nodes. It could take up to 20 days for the symptoms to appear.

The first outbreak is usually the most painful and subsequent outbreaks tend to be less severe and heal quicker.

Prevention

As with all STDs, the surefire way of avoiding herpes is abstaining from sex altogether. If you do have sex, make sure you use a latex condom. If you are a woman receiving oral sex, you should have your partner use dental dams.

 

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31
August

Chlamydia: Treatment

In our last post, we talked about what caused chlamydia and how it’s difficult to know if you have chlamydia because of the lack of symptoms this STD usually causes. We also discussed how it was important to get tested regularly if you are sexually active and especially if you have had unprotected sex recently. In this post we will look at how chlamydia is treated.

How can you protect yourself from Chlamydia?

As with all STDs, the best and most effective way to prevent chlamydia is to abstain from sex altogether. Since that isn’t exactly possible, the second best alternative is to wear a latex condom everytime you have sex. Using latex condoms is the only birth control method that reduces your risk of contracting chlamydia or any other sexually transmitted disease.

How is chlamydia diagnosed?

Your doctor can use a number of ways to test you for chlamydia. A common exam that is carried out for chlamydia diagnosis involves the doctor taking the secretions in your vaginal or penile discharge and then testing and analyzing them. Your doctor can ask you for a urine sample as an alternative as your urine can also be used to test for chlamydia. Make sure you let your doctor know how to contact you confidentially with your results.

How is chlamydia treated?

If you tell your doctor that you have been exposed to chlamydia or if your test results show that you’ve already contracted the disease, you might be prescribed antibiotics. Antibiotics can usually clear up chlamydia within 10 days.

If your partner has chlamydia, make sure they are tested to. Anyone that you have had sex with in the 2 months preceding your diagnosis should be informed of your results so they took can seek diagnosis and treatment. Your sexual partner might not show any symptoms but it’s highly possible that they contracted chlamydia from you.

Until you and your partner are both cleared of chlamydia, you should abstain from sex. Also, getting treatment for chlamydia once doesn’t mean you are immune to the disease. Anytime you have sex with a person who has chlamydia, you put yourself at risk for the disease.

Getting immediate treatment for chlamydia is important for preventing the condition from developing into more serious complications. As always, prevention is better than cure. So if you can’t abstain, make sure you use a condom every time you have sex.

For more information on chlamydia as well as diagnosis and treatment, visit the MedHelp clinic.

 

 

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31
August

Chlamydia

We have already provided a brief overview of sexually transmitted diseases and their prevention and treatment in our last couple of posts. But now its time to get into details. In this post, we will be discussing chlamydia, a sexually transmitted disease that often has very few symptoms but can be a cause of discomfort and bad health.

What is Chlamydia?

Chlamydia is an STD that is caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis. Chlamydia is a very common STD but a lot of people don’t know about it because it seldom results in discernible symptoms. That is also the reason why even the people who are infected by Chlamydia aren’t aware that they have it.

The chlamydia bacteria move from one person to another through sexual intercourse. You could also get infected through oral-genital contact. Infected semen, if it touches the eye, can also be a cause. Chlamydia can pass from a mother to her baby at the time of the delivery which can lead to serious pneumonia and sever conjunctivitis for the baby and needs immediate treatment.

A myth about chlamydia- and most other STDs- is that you can get them through a towel, doorknob or the toilet seat that has come in contact with an infected person. While chlamydia can be easily contracted through intercourse, you don’t have to be worried about any non-sexual or indirect contact.

How do you know if you have chlamydia?

Because chlamydia doesn’t always result in symptoms, it can hard to tell if you have it. For girls, possible symptoms include unusual discharge from the vagina or pain when urinating. Lower abdominal pain, discomfort during intercourse and bleeding outside the menstrual cycle can also be symptoms of chlamydia. For guys, penile discharge and itching/burning sensations can constitute chlamydia symptoms.

Girls and guys generally have no discernible symptoms of chlamydia and even the above mentioned symptoms can take weeks to appear if they do at all. Most people infected with chlamydia, however, have no symptoms. It is therefore essential to have regular medical checkups if you are sexually active and especially if you have had unprotected sex.

What will happen if you have chlamydia?

If you are a girl and don’t get treated for chlamydia, you might develop an infection of the urethra and an inflammation in the cervix. Besides getting sore and swollen genitals, you might also be at risk of having ectopic pregnancies in the future.

Guys who don’t get treated for chlamydia could suffer from an inflammation of the urethra and around the testicles (in the area known as epididymis which is a structure attached to the testicles that transports semen).

You can get checked and treated for chlamydia at the MedHelp clinic.

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