The Benefits of HIV Testing

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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

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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

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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?

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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!

Choosing the Right STD Testing for You

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STD (Sexually Transmitted Disease) is getting fairly common. There are different STD testing that can suit your situation depending on your specific risk factor. For those who are sexually active and has a multiple sex partner, you need to keep yourself protected and get tested. This is essential since a person can be infected without knowing about it. In normal circumstances, the person carrying the disease will not show any symptoms.

 

STD Testing That You Will Need

 

You will need to know what type of STD testing you will need. You should also be aware on how often you need to be tested. The frequency and the type of screening process will depend upon your risk factor, sexual behaviour, and age.

 

Gonorrhoea and Chlamydia

 

Your STD testing will depend if you are sexually active and you are below 25 years old, if you are a woman and you are more than 25 years old who has a multiple sex partners, a man having sexual intercourse with man, or if you are having sexual intercourse against your own will. STD screening for Gonorrhoea and Chlamydia can be performed using urine test. The doctor may also swab on the cervix of the women or on your penis.

Hepatitis, Syphilis and HIV Testing

 

Several health authorities are encouraging individuals to get HIV testing. Individuals should include this as a part of their regular care especially if you are an adult who is 13-64 years old. The younger adults need to be tested if they have high-risk factors. Yearly STD testing is recommended for sexually active individuals.

 

Hepatitis screening is advised for those who are born in the year 1945 and/or 1965. The incidence of hepatitis on this age group is higher. Aside from that, this health disorder will show no signs until you are on the advanced stage. If the STD testing shows that you have been exposed to the hepatitis virus, there are vaccines available to suppress the virus.

 

Individuals should request for Hepatitis, syphilis and HIV testing in case they have been tested positive for another STD disease. Individuals who have multiple sex partners and those who use IV drugs should also get tested. Those who are planning to get pregnant or those who are pregnant should also be screened. Doctors will be testing you for syphilis by taking a blood sample.

 

Genital Herpes

 

There is no recommended testing that exists for Genital herpes. This STI can be transmitted even if the person is not showing any signs of the virus. Your doctor may get a sample from you and ask you for your health history during the STD testing. Negative result does not necessarily mean that you are cleared of this condition.

 

There are different types of STD testing that will be offered by the health professional. The suitable type of test will depend upon your risk factor, age, and health condition. Never assume that you will instantly get a screening every time that you will get a PAP test or gynecological exam.

All You Need to Know about HIV PEP

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There are cases of an emergency when you do not if you have been exposed to HIV. Instead of risking an infection, you should proceed with caution and receive HIV PEP treatment. PEP stands for post-exposure prophylaxis, which means that you protect yourself after the incident has occurred. Prophylaxis comes from the Greek word of protection.

 

When Should You Receive HIV PEP?

 

It is important to stress out that only those who are HIV negative may receive the treatment. Otherwise, there is no point in receiving protection against the infection. If you are HIV negative and you do not know if you have been exposed to the virus, it is best to seek medical attention.

 

More specifically, you should get HIV PEP treatment if you have been sexually assaulted or if you have used the same needle as others while injected. Obviously, the same goes for those who have had unprotected sex with an unknown partner. In the last case, you need to be careful as you do not know your partner’s HIV status.

 

You must keep in mind the fact that treatment is only effective when received within 72 hours after infection. Even if you receive treatment after the specific time frame, you will not get any results. In addition, you ought to know that HIV PEP does not substitute your regular preventive measures. For instance, you should still use a condom and avoid using the same needles as others.

What about Health Workers?

 

Although it is quite rare for health workers to get infected, in case of an emergency you are urged to seek treatment. You will be expected to receive HIV PEP once or twice a day for a period of 28 days. As a result, you will be protected against any potential infection.

 

Will You Still Need STD Testing?

 

STD stands for Sexually Transmitted Diseases. As you can imagine, HIV is one of the most severe STDs you should be concerned about. However, it is not the only one. So it goes without even saying that you should proceed with STD testing, if you think you have been infected. STD testing, will also inform you of other diseases, such as HPV and syphilis, Hepatitis A, B and C, Herpes, Chlamydia & Gonorrhea.

 

Although HIV PEP can be a truly helpful tool in your hands, it will not protect you against all STDs. This is the main reason why you still need to be meticulous with STD testing.

Bottom Line

 

HIV PEP is related to treatment that might be received, by whoever is suspicious of an HIV infection. The treatment needs to be received within 72 hours after the possible infection. In any other case, it is not helpful. Receiving the treatment, though, will not protect you against STDs. Finally, protective measures against STDs are your best line of defence for remaining healthy and risk-free.

Five Best Reasons to Go for STD Testing

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As a young person, you deserve a safe, healthy, and enjoyable sex life. However, that’s not always the case. Research confirms that young people between the ages of 15 and 29 have the highest rate of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) such as Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea. All the same, STD testing is an important part of primary health care as long as one is sexually active. Sexually transmitted diseases can infect any person across the board. Here are five prime reasons why every sexually active person should go for STD Testing.

Everyone Can Get STDs

 

If you imagined that you could not contact STDs simply because you’re a virgin, then you are misleading yourself. Even as a virgin, you can still get sexually transmitted diseases, which you can only discover if you go for STD Testing. A good number of sexually transmitted diseases can spread through skin-to-skin contact. For instance, a person can get oral herpes through casual affection, even among relatives, and similarly, cold sores can spread through oral sex. With these conditions in mind, it’s advisable for every sexually active person to undergo STD Testing in order to know their status.

 

Your Sexual Partner Maybe Unfaithful

 

Accusations of unfaithfulness are rampant among couples or people in committed relationships. However, how can you prove to your partner that you are faithful, but simply living with a sexually transmitted disease? Well, married couples often trust each other, especially when they are in a sexually monogamous relationship. While that could be true to some extent, it could only work if each partner underwent STD or HIV Testing before they started living together.

 

Like many people, you could be infected with STDs without your knowledge only to realise when symptoms start appearing years later when you’re already in a relationship. Besides, STDs can cause long-term health and reproductive implications. In women, for example, Chlamydia can cause infertility, denying a woman the chance to hold her own baby. By doing STD Testing before you get into a serious relationship, you take a bold step to know your status.

 

HIV Testing Enables You to Play Safe

 

Unprotected sex is one of the major causes of sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS. By going for HIV PEP screening, you can discover your stand as far as sex life goes and play safe. As always, it’s better safe than sorry; which leads to the next point.

 

Getting Tested Relieves You from Worry

 

If you don’t know your status, you’ll keep guessing, and too much worry will lead to stress, which has adverse effects on your health. If you go for HIV testing, you can discover whether you’re safe or not. If you’re found with HIV upon screening, you can get started on ARVs immediately because most STDs are easily manageable during initial stages.

 

Getting Tested Shows That You Respect Yourself and Your Partner

 

By undergoing STD Testing, you’ll be able to talk openly about the risk of HIV/AIDS and other STDs. Testing enables you to discover whether you have a condition that you should share with your partner and in the end, you’ll be able to make informed decisions about your sexual life.

 

STD Testing is a sure way to help you stay safe and healthy. Eventually, it reduces the rate of STD infection among youth and adults.

Reasons Why You Should Go for STD Testing

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Reasons Why You Should Go for STD Testing

The Centres for Disease Control have been carrying campaigns geared towards encouraging people to get STD testing done. According to CDC, early detection will help in controlling the spread of the diseases and also will help them to monitor the nature of the diseases that affect people. The various STD`s that are common include Syphilis, Gonorrhoea, Herpes, and HIV. Therefore, it is important for people to go for testing so that they are treated whenever they are found to have these diseases, and for those untreatable, it becomes easier to manage the diseases. Let’s explore further why you should be in the forefront to encourage your peers to go for STD testing.

To Avoid Spread of Diseases

Once you get tested for these diseases, you will be helping to control the spread of the diseases. If you are negative, you are encouraged to continue practicing safety, and this is to make sure you will not be infected. If you are found positive, then you will also be put on treatment, and the STD will not be spread to your partner. However, when you have HIV testing, and it turns out you are positive; you will be put under anti-retroviral therapy to make sure you are not suppressed by the viruses. This way, you can continue enjoying life and most importantly live positively. You are taught about safe intercourse, and you will not spread the infection to your partner or other people that you have sex with.

Go for HIV Testing if Involved in Risky Sex Behaviour

Whenever you have sex without protection, it is good to go for STD testing. When the doctor conducts the test, you might be requested to come back after a while just to make sure the results are same. In this case, the doctor should give your HIV PEP immediately. If the person you had sex with is infected, there are high chances that you might get the infections. This is the reason why you are as well encouraged not to have multiple sex partners especially if they are strangers and you don’t know the status of the person. In such cases, you will be advised to use protection. Therefore, you should always encourage your peers to go for HIV testing whenever they are involved in risky sexual behaviour.

After STD Testing You Will Be Offered Counselling That is Helpful

Before testing, you will be undertaken through free counselling so that you understand what to expect and to assure you that the results are confidential between you and the doctor. Therefore there is no need of fearing that the results will go viral and your peers will know. Secondly, after testing the counsellor will further take you through more counselling. This time, if after HIV testing you are found positive, you will be taken through an essential training on how to take care of yourself. Otherwise, you will be encouraged to continue playing safe.

Whenever you attend STD testing, you are encouraged to go for testing again after a while and mostly three months. This is because by then if there are any infections, they will have shown.

STD Test

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STD Test

STD test is something that no one wants to discuss about, as they think that it is embarrassing, and mentioning STD test would automatically makes others think that they have STD. But, it is very necessary to ignore or set aside that discomfiture, and take the test if you are sexually active. If you are among those individuals who are thinking that getting tested for STD is just an embarrassing thing to be done, you should change that way of thinking because it is better to get tested.

Why You Should Get Tested

Well, there are several reasons why people should take an STD test. One of the very first reasons is because STD can cause unpleasant signs and symptoms most especially once left untreated. Most of the time, they could be so serious which affect fertility. That consequence can be prevented if you will simply take the STD test, letting you to get the most appropriate treatment once found out that you have STD. The second reason is that, once you have already determined that you have STD through an STD test, can help you a lot, and give you enough courage to use protections and prevent spreading your disease. It is simply better to be tested regularly, to know whether there is an improvement in your health condition or nothing.

Types of Tests

There are different tests for STD, and it could be hard to determine which of them should you take. It is because there are tests which must be done consistently. For women, the pap test must be done each time they have visited their gynecologist. That test will check that abnormal cells within your cervix which can indicate STD. Also, women must get tested concerning Chlamydia routinely most especially if they are under twenty-five years old. Other tests for STD  must be brought-out once the signs or symptoms occur. There are so many STDs, that’s why it is very important that you ask the doctor for every specific test.

How Will You Know If You Need STD Test?

People who are sexually active with many different partners in their life are at higher risks for STD, and are necessary enough to get tested constantly. Most individuals with one partner, however does not necessarily mean that there is no need to get tested for STD. Still, it is more secure if you take the STD tests to ensure that you don’t have such disease. Until you are in long-term relationships with uncommitted partner, it is very crucial to have an STD test. It is a great rule to take the test at the very beginning of every intimate relationship that you have. Because, that would help you to prevent its severe development.

What If You Have STD?

Once you have undergone an STD test, and the doctor found out that you have STD, you need to have a regular appointment with him or her. Do not give up and always hope that your doctor can manage what you are going through. Also, you must prevent having an unprotected sex if you know that you have STD, as unprotected sex would cause the spreading of your disease.

Post-Exposure Prophylaxis

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Post-Exposure Prophylaxis

Post- exposure prophylaxis is a method used for preventing the infection of HIV. It may involve taking the medications for anti- HIV right after the exposure from HIV. It also consists of the combination of two up to three drugs for anti- HIV where someone who is an HIV negative is been exposed from HIV for reducing risks of the HIV infections. In that case, PEP must be taken immediately within seventy- two hours once you there’s a possible HIV exposure. This drug is needed to be taken per day for four weeks.

When it is used?

Post- exposure prophylaxis is used the moment a person is exposed from the workplace up to body fluid which may have HIV. Example of this is when a healthcare worker accidently got needle- stick injury. The time that you are already exposed from HIV on the other setting, PEP may also use after your high- risk exposure from a non- wok related issues like unprotected sex, breaking of condom during sex, sexual assault and needle sharing.

Who should take PEP?

A person who is an HIV negative which can possibly have a high- risk exposure in HIV over 72 hours must consider taking the PEP method. Exposures can have different type but not all them have the same way for causing an infection of HIV. Before you take PEP, you should first discuss your situation with a doctor, nurse or counselor. When your chance of being infected from HIV is lower, PEP may not already be recommended.

It is intended for the prevention of HIV infection and must not be used with someone who is already an HIV positive. When you start taking PEP, HIV test should also be done for determining your HIV status. When rapid testing may not be available, your test result will not also be ready within one up to two weeks, but then PEP may start immediately. Once the result is positive, you will also stop taking the PEP and your doctor will now decide if you will need an HIV treatment.

Is PEP also an alternative for other prevention methods like condoms and clean needles?

If you are wondering whether PEP is also an alternative for other methods, well the answer is definitely NO. It is just only for emergency purposes. Apart from that, it should not also be replaced other preventions methods like condoms and clean needles. If someone will consider taking this, he/she should not use it regularly for preventing HIV infection.

  • PEP is not the same with your pill that prevents pregnancy. It will only require taking them for several times per day within the entire month.
  • Medications are also expensive that cause other side effects like diarrhea, fatigue and nausea.
  • You are not guaranteed that PEP may prevent infections of HIV.
  • It provides no significant protection from other sexually transmitted diseases.

Taking these method is also a great way for monitoring your HIV status. With this, you will know what other precautions that you will use for treating your HIV infection by other alternatives. So, it is best if you are also regularly having an appointment with your doctor.