The Benefits of HIV Testing

/0 Comments/in /by

HIV is one of the STD`s that can easily get controlled if an early diagnosis is done. Therefore, it is important that individuals who are actively indulging in sex get HIV testing often to make sure they are not only getting treatment but also to make sure they don’t spread the virus unknowingly. In this case, it is important that the Governments set up free HIV testing centres so that all people have access to a centre where they can get tested. This will cover the rich and the poor people in the society. Therefore, if you suspect are just curious to find out your HIV status, the best initiative you can take now is getting tested. Here are the benefits of HIV testing.

To Make Sure You Don’t Spread the Virus to Other People

It is important that you attend HIV testing clinic so that you know the status and avoid spreading it to your negative partner. This is important if you have been indulging in risky behaviour such as having more than one sex partner. Many new infections are because the person doesn’t know they are positive and therefore they have sex with the other person ending up infecting the person. This is the reason also why people are taught to always get tested for HIV before they start having sex. In the cases where you get to know the partner is infected, and you are not infested, you are in better chances of not contracting the virus.

To Get on Treatment As Early As Possible

If you are infected with HIV, you can still live a normal life, and this is by taking antiretroviral therapy drugs which have been proven to be life supporting. These drugs should be taken daily as advised by the doctors and therefore you should always make sure you adhere to the doctor’s advice. If you adhere to the advice and take the drugs faithfully, you will have higher chances of living a longer life since the virus cannot weaken your body. Instead, you will be able to resist the opportunistic infections that are the major causes of deaths among the people infected with the HIV Virus.

To Be Able to Plan Your Life Well

To many people, the major decisions in life are arrived at when a person gets to know what awaits him or her. This is the reason why HIV testing is associated with planning one`s life. If you find out that you are infected with the virus, you can make such decisions as not getting married or even not getting children in your marriage. For those who wish to have partners they will be able to disclose this to their partner, and if the partner is willing, they will plan the life together. Therefore, it is important to get tested early enough so that you can live a positive life from the onset regardless of your HIV status.

Those are some of the benefits of HIV testing and therefore the reasons why you should get tested early enough.

Reasons Why You Should Get Tested for STD

/0 Comments/in /by

STD testing is recommended for all persons, and therefore it is important that you schedule a date to know your status. This is the only way to avoid the risk of contracting STD or spreading it to another person. Therefore, you should visit a health centre near you and ask for STD testing. In most health centres, you will get free STD testing, and therefore you should not complain about affordability. In most countries, the Government has invested in campaigns that ask people to turn up for free testing in public health centres. There are regular campaigns that are also run by non-governmental organisations that focus on making sure a good number of people know their status.

There are various STDs that one should get tested for including syphilis, Gonorrhoea, HIV, and Herpes. Most people think that because they have not shown the symptoms, there is no possibility that they could be infected. However, it is important that people realise the STD testing exercises should not only be done to know if you are positive or negative for certain STD, but they are important to make sure that the person receives treatment early enough to save the life. Here are some of the reasons why you should get tested for STD`s

If You Have Had Unsafe Sex

If you have had unsafe sex, it is advisable that you get tested for STD. This is mostly if you have sex with a partner whose status you don’t know and therefore risking exposure to an STD. The most people who are likely to be involved in unsafe sex are those living apart from their partners, the persons who are on business travel, unmarried people, and also the people who are generally unfaithful to their partner.

If You Have More Than One Sex Partner

Whether on a monogamous or polygamous marriage and you have more than one sex partner, you should go for STD testing occasionally. As much as you would like to trust the persons you are having sex with, it is not enough. Getting an STD test is the only sure way you are not infected. If you find that you are infected, you should start the treatment programme immediately to make sure you are living proof.

If You Suspect Your Partner Is Involved in Risky Behaviour

In some cases, the partner might lead you to get STD testing done if you suspect he/she is involved in dangerous conduct. This could be because of challenges in your marriage or caused by general unfaithfulness. If this is the case, then it is important that you get tested as soon as you notice a change in behaviour even as you struggle to get the relationship to harmonious settlement. Signs of risky behaviour include your partner not coming home as he used to, when you realise that he/she has been having other relationships outside and other concerns.

You should also visit a health centre for STD testing to just have an assurance that you are okay. This will help you in planning your life appropriately.

Information about Accessing PEP

/0 Comments/in /by

Before going forward, people at risk of HIV need to know that an infection can be stopped using PEP. Although, few surveys have been conducted to determine the proportion of the population aware of the drugs; those done indicate that a small percentage of heterosexual and gay men and women, know about the drugs. The trend is even consistent in cities with established healthcare systems. Thus, wherever you are it essential to educate others.

 

Acting Fast Is Crucial

 

The more prolonged the interval before someone starts taking HIV PEP drugs, after exposure the less likely they can prevent an infection. Once you are exposed, experts recommend taking the medications before 72 hours lapse. On exposure, the virus spreads to cells at the sites, such as in the anus, vagina or penis by rapidly replicating. Virions are produced as a result, and they start spreading to other cells and tissues, after a few days. HIV PEP drugs are thought to halt this process at the points of contact. As a result, the virions don’t spread.  As you can see, you must take the drugs before 72 hours, or else the infection becomes permanent.

 

Where to Go for Treatment

 

Only a qualified doctor can prescribe HIV PEP drugs. Because acting fast is crucial, various emergency rooms, open 24/7 can provide the initial dose.  You can also contact your medical provider who has information about local healthcare facilities offering HIV PEP drugs.

 

HIV Testing Is Mandatory before PEP

 

Before accessing any treatments, testing for HIV is a requirement. The patient might have been already infected. In this case, PEP will produce no results. However, most healthcare facilities, prescribe the drugs as the results are pending.  If the results are positive, PEP administration is stopped. Instead, the doctor can prescribe highly active antiretroviral medications for long-term care.

 

Treatment for PEP Might be Costly

 

Among the number of patients at high-risk, not all can access private and public insurance plans. Thus, the full cost of HIV PEP has to be covered by patients.  However, this can be costly, and finding other options where you don’t have to pay is difficult. Thus, there is a lot of lobbying still required to make the drugs accessible. Additionally, people at most risk need education about HIV testing and PEP use.

 

Are There Side Effects?

 

Yes, users of the drugs can experience diarrhoea, fatigue, and nausea. However, this is not the most adverse effect. Inconsistent use of the drugs can make you drug-resistant and increase the risk of HIV. Also, doctors have to carry out tests to determine the toxicity of the drugs and each HIV PEP treatment may call for different tests.

 

In summary, accessing the drugs within a short time is essential. However, this remains difficult because there is no way to tell if an infection has occurred. Hence undergoing HIV and STD testing from time to time helps you make excellent choices. In the end, prevention is better than cure.

STD Testing: When and Why Should You Get Tested?

/0 Comments/in /by

Sexually Transmitted Diseases, or STDs for short, have been increasing rapidly over the past few years. All over the world, there are daily reports on people who have been infected. Even though protective measures are generally simple and easy to use, many people neglect them, and the results are often catastrophic. STD testing is able to detect any disease that has been transmitted through sexual intercourse. So if you are feeling suspicious, you had better do that sooner than later.

When is the Right Time to Test?

If you are worried about infections, you should check out STD testing. HIV testing is not the same, although the latter is included in the former. You need to question yourself and see if you could have been exposed to a sexually transmitted disease somehow. Through unprotected sex (anal, vaginal or even oral), many infections can be transmitted. Some of them come with symptoms, whereas others are asymptomatic.

Some of the most frequent symptoms in STDs include small bumps in your genitals and in the area around. These can be an indication of genital warts or HPV. In addition, you may feel irritated in your genitals and have a burning sensation when you pee. Women may also experience discharge from their vagina, which smells and looks strange. The same discharge can happen to men, but less frequently.

Of course, getting some of these symptoms does not necessarily mean that you have been infected by an STD. There are many other things that cause the same symptoms. This is why you need to proceed with caution and go ahead with STD testing. Especially if you do not use condom and have sexual intercourse with multiple partners or with a partner that you do not know, HIV testing is also a must.

Why Should You Get Tested?

First of all, ignorance is not bliss in this case. Then, most STDs are perfectly treatable. Particularly if you catch them at an early stage, you can deal with them effectively. In addition, by not knowing you might infect others through sexual intercourse. This will create a vicious cycle of constant infections, affecting people you obviously care about.

Even in the unfortunate event of having been infected, you need to know as early as possible. In this way, you can rest assured that you receive proper treatment.

Will HIV PEP Protect You?

HIV PEP only protects you in case you receive treatment within 72 hours after having been infected. Even then, it only protects you against HIV. It does not help you fight off other sexually transmitted diseases. So HIV PEP can only be described as an emergency option.

There is nothing to substitute protective measures against STDs. However, if you think that you have been infected, it is perfectly OK to consult with your doctor immediately and seek STD testing. The sooner, the better, of course!