What are the benefits of having HIV PEP

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HIV PEP is an innovational treatment that is raising many questions. Most of the people want to know that why scientists are paying more attention to HIV PEP as compared to proper treatment for the disease. You should know that primary prevention is very important because it can save you. If you are confused regarding the application of HIV PEP, here we have some of the common benefits that you can get from the treatment method.

Protect you from deadly outcomes of HIV

The biggest benefit of HIV PEP is that it will protect you from the deadly outcomes that come once HIV has established in your body. You should know that when you will control the virus before it has established even a single cell of the immune system will not be affected. In this way, your body will not attack its own cells. There are chances that you were not exposed to HIV but having the HIV PEP before the testing will give you the peace of mind that HIV cannot control your body before you can have the tests done. Remember that HV testing can be done once the development of antibodies starts in the body.

It might be covered by insurance

Most of the deadly diseases like HIV, cancer and many others are not covered by insurance because the treatment is long-term. However, HIV PEP takes the time of 28 days. It is often covered by the health insurance which means that you will not have to pay a penny for the treatment. However, it is important that you ask your insurance provider about the coverage for HIV PEP. It is important or the healthcare service provider because their chance of being exposed to HIV is the highest. They are always working with the people suffering from AIDS.

Saves time and money

One of the biggest benefits of HIV PEP is that it will help you to save your time and money.

  • The complete HIV treatment is very expensive which means that if you will control the issue before it is established you will save a decent amount of money
  • The treatment of HIV is very long-term and you might have to leave your job for the proper treatment. With HIV PEP you will no have to deal with such issues
  • There are no limitations to HIV PEP because you can have it as many times as you want

Bottom line

It is important that you consult a doctor regarding your condition because he will provide you the best guideline. He will show you how you can decrease your exposure to the virus. Being a healthcare professional working in the HIV department you should take extra care and consider having HIV PEP as many times as possible. You never know when and where your body might get exposed to HIV PEP. As soon as you think that you are exposed to HIV make sure that you take the primary prevention before testing because waiting for test results might give virus the chance to properly establish.

What are the most common types of HIV testing

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HIV testing is very important these days. If you are planning to have a secure future it is important that you get yourself tested. As soon as you think that your body has been exposed to the HIV it is important that you visit your nearest lab and get the tests done. It has been noticed that there are different types of HIV testing available. Here are a few types you should consider.

Rapid test for HIV

It is valuable for routine testing or potentially on the off chance that you would prefer not to sit tight a few days for the outcomes. The Rapid test for HIV recognizes antibodies for HIV in the blood. Commonly folks (around 90%) will grow enough antibodies of HIV to be distinguished three to a month after disease.

  • This Rapid test for HIV gives you an outcome shortly, dispensing with the worry of sitting tight seven days for comes about.
  • This Rapid exam utilizes a blood example taken by jabbing the finger with pin like spear and after that illustration some of your blood into plastic tube.
  • This Rapid test is similarly as exact as the Standard test for HIV.
  • On the off chance that you test negative, at that point you don’t require a further test.
  • On the off chance that you are sure, at that point you will require a anymore blood test utilizing an example that should be sent to a lab.

The Early test for HIV

The test is helpful in the event that you’ve had a current hazard occurrence (vaginal or anal intercourse without a protection of condom with somebody whose status was unique or obscure) or a known presentation to HIV. This HIV Early test decreases the window time frame (the time you need to hold up before getting tried) to just 10 or 12 days. This test will be performed on the blood example taken from the arm, much the same as a Standard test. This Early test for HIV searches for the genuine HIV infection, not antibodies created because of the infection. That implies the test can recognize on the off chance that you are contaminated when your samples are still under the examination time of a neutralizer test.

The Standard test for HIV

This test can be utilized for routine HIV testing or when Rapid test for HIV isn’t accessible. This Standard test for HIV distinguishes antibodies of HIV in the blood. Similarly, to what happens in this Rapid test in most folks (around 90%) will grow enough antibodies for HIV to be recognized three to a month after disease.

The enormous contrast is that it is finished with blood take from vein. This blood will be sent to HIV testing lab and you should sit tight for at least five days and wait for the outcome. In the event that it is negative, at that point you don’t need any further tests. In the event that the outcome is sure, you will require another test to affirm. Select the HIV testing technique you are most comfortable with to get treatment on time.

Is HIV PEP effective treatment

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A common question that most of the people are asking is whether HIV PEP is effective or not. They want to know about the effectiveness because that is the only way they will decide whether they should get the treatment or not. There are many individuals that think HIV PEP is not very effective because the disease developed in this body. The reason behind this development is that they did not take the preventive measure at the right time. In order to enhance the effectiveness of the treatment.

Has the HIV established or not

The first and most important thing that you have to consider before taking the HIV PEP is that whether the HIV has been established in your body or not. The HIV takes a few days to establish in the human body and this is the time in which you can have the HIV PEP treatment. If it has been a week since your body was exposed to the virus it would be better that you take the proper HIV treatment and not the HIV PEP. If you got concerned about the HIV right after the needle injury then it is the right time to take the HIV PEP.

When you are getting the treatment

An important thing that most of the people ignore is they do not pay attention to the circumstance regarding when they are getting the treatment.

  • Most of the people have a misconception that HIV PEP is a treatment whereas it is a preventive technique
  • Consider is affordable people ask the healthcare provider to treat them with HIV PEP even when the symptoms of disease have started to appear
  • It is the treatment that is only effective in the first few days of exposure before the HIV has established in your body.

HIV testing is important

One of the most important thing that you have to consider is the HIV testing. It has been noticed that most of the people start taking HIV PEP without testing themselves. In this age of technology that are different testing techniques available that would allow you to test yourself for HIV within minutes. So it would be better if your test your blood serum before you start taking HIV PEP. It will give you the perfect idea that whether your body has been exposed to HIV or not and what are the chances of recovery.

Bottom line

Improve education about the HIV PEP is the reason that most of the people think that it is not effective. They also forbid their loved ones to take this primary prevention. It is the duty of the healthcare professionals to increase awareness about the HIV PEP. They should let the individuals know about the effectiveness of the treatment technique and how it can protect their body. They should let the people know about the right time for HIV PEP and when it is better to visit the HIV testing and treatment center rather than going for HIV PEP.

How HIV Testing can protect your future

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Sex is not the only reason behind the transmission of the HIV. There are other reasons like the blood transfusion, using unsterilized objects or using the same injection for several patients. Over the past few years, such conditions have been controlled. Unfortunately, in some underdeveloped countries, the practice is still the same because of the lack of education. Most of the people have been concerned that whey they should get HIV Testing. You should know that if you are doubtful that nurse used the wrong syringe while you were faint it is important that you get yourself tested because it will protect your future in the following ways.

Diagnosis at early stage

There are different stages of HIV and it would be beneficial if you are diagnosed at the early stage. It is important that as soon as you are suspicious you should visit the doctor. Do not wait for the symptoms to show because the condition can get serious rapidly. The earlier you will get the diagnosis the better it would be for you.

Get the treatment on time

With the advancement in the medical field, the treatment of HIV is available at the early stages.

  • With the help of HIV Testing if you are diagnosed before the symptoms start to appear the doctors can help control the virus at that stage
  • In case you are at the early stage of minor symptoms like the flu and allergies have started to appear you would get the treatment for both HIV and minor symptoms to stop the disease where it is
  • Remember that if the disease has reached the last stages there are return from there will be hard. The reason is that your body will be suffering from so many diseases that doctors would not be able to control all of them when your immunity system is already weak.

Protect your loved ones and your babies

It has been noticed that if the mother or father is suffering from HIV and they have not been diagnosed they can transmit the virus to their children. When the mother will get pregnant the virus will be automatically transmitted in the baby with her blood and after that with her breast milk during feeding. In this situation, the chances of appearance of symptoms of HIV in the baby are higher because their immunity system is weak.

Bottom line

Make sure that you get your yourself and your partner tested before the marriage. It is a practice that should be followed in all parts of the world. People should not feel embarrassed about HIV Testing especially when they were not embarrassed while having sex before marriage without protection. Even the virgins should get tested because there are chances that the disease was transmitted from their parents. It is important that you select a certified laboratory for the process because only then you will get the authentic results. HIV testing is the only way we can protect the spread of disease.

For what diseases you should get STD Testing

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There are many individuals that are suffering from STDs but they are at the early stages due to which the symptoms have not started to appear yet. The only issue is that they are not ready to get the STD testing.

It has been noticed that most of the people get drunk on the weekends and they even forget that with whom they slept. In this situation the chances of transfer of STD increases. Even if you are scared of getting the test here we have 3 most dangerous diseases for which you should get tested as soon as possible.

HIV

We all know about the HIV virus that leads to the AIDS. It is the disease in which the virus will attack the DNA system of the body and after replication, the viral DNA will take over the immunity system of the individuals.

  • When the immunity system is damaged the person can get affected with any disease
  • It starts with the minor disorders like flu, fever, allergies and other common diseases
  • When the immune system becomes weaker the chances cancer and other disorder increases
  • AIDS eventually leads to young death because there are not proven a cure for the disease.

Herpes Simplex type 2

It is a type of disease that is caused due to sex but in this disease, the reproductive organ is involved. It is not very dangerous for the males but when it comes to the female the disease can cause problems. It will cause the vaginal rash due to which the skin area will become itchy. It might not seem like a serious problem but when the woman is pregnant she should know that her baby will suffer. During the vaginal delivery when the baby will pass through the infected area there are chances that his nose and eyes will be affected. The infection in the nose might damage the respiratory system. It has been noticed that in severe cases the survival of baby is tough.

Syphilis

It is the disease that is caused by the bacteria that is transmitted through sex. It has been found that individuals suffering from Syphilis show different stages of development. There are 4 stages and the signs and symptoms different at different stages. In case the female is in the first stage and she was not identified. There are chances that she will get pregnant and pass the disease to her fetus. In this situation, the chances of miscarriage will increase or the baby will be born with some severe deformity.

Bottom line

STD testing plays a special role in your protection and the protection of your loved ones. In case that you know you are suffering from a disease, it is important that you avoid sex until you are cured so others will not get affected. If you are planning to have sex with an unknown individual it would be better to use protection because you ever know which disease he might have been carrying.

Tag: STD Testing

Clinic closed during Chinese New Year

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Dear all, 

Please note the following schedule over Chinese New Year 2018:

15th Feb Open from 9am – 1pm

16th Feb Closed

17th Feb Closed

18th Feb Closed

19th Feb onwards Open as per normal usual operating hours

 

We would like to wish one and all a Happy Chinese New Year!

 

From the Management

Tanjong Pagar Medical Clinic

STD Testing in General

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Sexually transmitted infections are termed as STD’s. Majority of times, a person does not get any symptoms of STD and getting tested for it is the only way to acknowledge it. Therefore if you had sex, in any form (anal, vaginal or oral), you need to consider getting checked for STD. It usually gets more important or necessary if you have indulged yourself into sexual connection without protection or if the condom breaks while intercourse. However, talking to your doctor about it will let you know whether you are in utter need of STD Testing or not.

 

STD SYMPTOMS:

As mentioned above, it is not really important that one might face STD symptoms. This is why STD Testing is considered vital. However, here are some symptoms that an individual with STD might face. Also remember that every STD has different symptoms.

  1. Sores on thighs, butt cheeks or genitals.
  2. Burning while you pee or whenever you get a feeling to pee.
  3. Odd discharge from penis or vagina
  4. Irritation or pain in your anus, vagina or penis area.

All these symptoms don’t necessarily mark for STD and can be caused due to normal pimples or allergies too. This is why a STD Test makes it easier to decipher the issue and stay well informed about ones health condition. Your doctor might have to discuss your sexual details with you for the STD Testing so understand that it is completely normal. This will let them know about what kind of testing do you need or whether you need it at all or not. Furthermore, your treatment is also defined by your sex style or method thus it is very crucial to tell your health care professional everything.

 

NO SYMTPOMS MEANS NO STD TESTING REQUIRED?

A lot of people assume that if they do not have these symptoms they cannot have STD but that is just a huge misconception. As these symptoms can merely skin allergies, you never know for sure whether you have STD or not. Thus it is very important for one to actually go through STD testing if they think they have had sex with someone who might have a dangerous infection. Sex without protection can always bring harm thus it is better to be safe rather than sorry.

If you do have an STD, it is best to treat it right away as they can turn out to be life threatening with the passage of time. You might feel totally okay with it at the given moment, but with the passage of time, it turns out to bring huge damages to human health. Moreover, this can cause someone else their life too, if you are sexually involved with someone. It is best to tell your partner if you have STD right away and get it treated. Avoiding sex or using perfect protection while you are being treated for STD is very important.

 

CONCLUSION:

It is very important to get yourself checked for STD because if it goes untreated, it can cause several health issues which can last for long time spans. Moreover if you have STD, you easily put your partner at risk too just like HIV. Thus the best way to find out about it is to go for STD Testing and make sure that you are safe and you don’t transmit it to so on else too.

Understanding HIV through PEP

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HIV PEP, or what is termed as HIV Post Exposure Prophylaxis, means to get prevention from an infection or disease. PEP is basically medicines which are given to people in case of emergency, if they have been exposed to HIV. This helps in stopping the HIV infection from spreading entirely in the human body and is used for bringing as much prevention as possible. Here is everything that you need to understand about PEP, in order to know why to utilize it and how it can possibly help you. However, one must know that it is not 100% confirmed that PEP helps you in preventing the HIV infection. The results vary highly.

 

WHY SHOULD ONE CONSIDER TAKING HIV PEP?

PEP is considered when you are HIV negative or you have no idea about what your HIV status is, if within the last 72 hours you were assaulted sexually or shared needles with someone while drug prep. It can also be taken under circumstances where you think that you were exposed to HIV during physical connection. Gut instincts usually don’t lie and taking medication for assumptions is just fine. But PEP cannot be used every time you “think” you are exposed to HIV. It is only meant for emergency situations. If you know that your partner is HIV positive, it is best to avoid sexual contact. If you are using protection and it breaks, you definitely know that you will need PEP by all means.

HIV PEP must and can only be taken within 72 hours after your sexual contact. After that, you only have the option of getting yourself tested for HIV and PEP medication cannot be used. 72 hours make up 3 days and that is the only time limit that you have to get a PEP prescribed by your healthcare professional. An individual needs to take PEP for 28 days and within this time period; he or she might have to visit their doctor some or several times in between. Once you are done with the PEP medication, you need to head out for a proper HIV test right away and see whether your status has is negative or positive.

 

IS PEP GOING TO WORK FOR SURE?

Many people require a proper assurance for the fact that PEP will free them of HIV infection by all means. But let me burst your bubble here; it is not confirmed. PEP is very effective in preventing the HIV infection, in most cases, but the results vary and it is not 100% effective all the times. It is considered that PEP helps the most when it is taken right away after being exposed to HIV. The better, the sooner is the key here. However, many people don’t have an idea that they might be having sex with an HIV positive person. This is where they can only take a test and get to know about their HIV status.

 

VERDICT

If you have a proper sexual life and you might be changing partners a lot, it is important to go for an HIV test once or twice every year. Majority of people do not inform their partner that they have HIV and that is what increases the number of people who have this disease now. Make sure that you get yourself tested annually and if you are exposed to it by mistake, make sure that you go for PEP right away. An emergency nurse or your personal healthcare professional will prescribe it for you, after jotting down some necessary details.

Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP)

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The word prophylaxis in the abbreviation represent the meaning of protecting or preventing from a disease or an infection. The procedure of HIV PEP revolves around antiretroviral (ARV) medications. This is done as soon as the HIV exposure is detected in order to prevent the spread and infection of HIV.

There are 2 types of PEP.

  1. oPEP
  2. nPEP

oPEP is abbreviated for occupational pose exposure prophylaxis. It is the term used to describe the situation where a certain health care provider employee takes HIV PEP because of the possible exposure to HIV, which might have been on the job. Like, an injury by a needle which has been used or any other situation like that. The nPEP is abbreviated for non-occupational post exposure prophylaxis. It is the term used to describe the situation where a person is at possible exposure of HIV outside of the workspace. Like, during a sexual intercourse or the use of injection for drug.

There are certain people, who must take PEP as a cautious step. It may be prescribed to a person on the basis of their HIV negative status or if they are unknown to their HIV status and have bene involved in certain activities in the prior 72 hours.

If a person is in doubt that they have been exposed to HIV during their work, for example by a used needle injury. If a person is in doubt that they are at risk of having HIV infection due to their sexual activities. If a person has shared needles or any other drug preparation equipment with someone else. Or if a person was sexually assaulted, they need to take the precaution and should have HIV PEP done.

The health care providers mostly help the patients in order to determine if they should take PEP or not. PEP is in fact, intended for emergency situations. It is not required by the people who are at a possible risk of exposure to HIV infection. It cannot be used regularly by people. There is one other method of protecting a person form HIV infection. The method sis called, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). It is taken when a particular patient is at high risk for possible HIV exposure. People are recommended to take a specific HIV medication regularly in order to stay protected against the infection.

The medication or the process of PEP must be started as soon as it is possible for the patient to. It needs to be done soon because, as the time passes, it loses its effectiveness. It needs to be taken by people always within 72 hours or 3 days after a possible exposure to HIV infection is detected. As per the conducted studies and researches, the PEP is less likely to prevent a person from HIV infection if it is taken 72 hours after a possible exposure to HIV infection.

The process of PEP involved taking 3 or more ARV meds daily for at least 28 days. The patient will be required to return to their respective health care providers at certain instances during the intake of PEP and after they have finished taking PEP.

Can an infection be prevented with PEP?

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HIV Post exposure prophylaxis better known as HIV PEP are antiretroviral medicines which are given to prevent a person from infection who has been exposed to HIV or have chances of being exposed or effected by it. PEP is only meant for emergency cases and is recommended to be started within 72 hours of being exposed to HIV or having doubts of it. If you are in the doubtful scenario, talk to your professional health care first and then take a step towards PEP. PEP is taken for 28 days and must be taken daily. It is considered helpful in preventing from HIV but the results are not 100% effective for everyone. It might help some and might not be as great for others.

 

IS PEP RIGHT FOR YOU?

Many people get caught in the struggle of whether PEP is right for them or not. PEP is meant to be taken in emergency cases and if you have passed 72 hours in sheer doubt, then the clock has ticked away. PEP medicines are only given to a person who has been in a sexual connection or have shared needles with someone in the past 72 hours. HIV PEP is meant to lower your chances of having an HIV infection. However, it is not 100% effective, as mentioned above. This is why it is recommended to use safety while having sex, until you are done with PEP and proper HIV testing.

 

IS PEP SAFE FOR HEALTH?

PEP is completely safe for health. However, it can cause nausea in some people. Nausea is definitely not life threating and you can easily opt for a nausea control medication to make it stop.

 

WHERE TO GET PEP FROM?

PEP medication is now easily accessible on pharmacies but you will need a proper prescription for that. Visit your doctor or an emergency for it and you can get it through a prescription easily. Emergency wardens won’t give you PEP prescription right away. They will talk to you and you will have ya answered some basic queries for them. They will only prescribe you PEP if they think you have been exposed to HIV.

 

CAN PEP BE USED EVERYTIME YOU HAVE SEX WITHOUT PROTECTION?

You need to remember that HIV PEP can only be taken in emergency cases. It is not good to opt for each time you have unprotected sex or you indulge in sex with an HIV positive person. This only puts you at higher risks and as PEP is not 100% effective, you really don’t know what you are putting yourself up to. Once or twice is just fine but it is always better to stay on the safer side.

 

To conclude it all up, PEP can be effective in preventing or lowering chances of having HIV infection. However, it is not your perfect getaway. Make sure that you stay under-protection while being connected with someone sexually. Also make sure that you do not have sex with a HIV positive person. It is better to stay safe rather than sorry.