HPV Vaccine

HPV or human papillomaviruses is a group of almost two- hundred viruses that are related with each other. There are more than forty types of HPV that can easily spread and transmitted by direct sexual contact from the infected person’s skin and mucous membrane to their partner’s mucous membrane. They can easily spread through anal, vaginal and oral sex.

What cancers that may be caused by HPV?

• Cervical cancer
• Anal cancer
• Oropharyngeal cancer
• Rarer cancer

Who gets the infection of HPV?

A person who is sexually active can have HPV. It can be easily transmitted by sexual contact. These infections can be more likely for those who have many sexual partners and whom who had sex with anyone who also have so many sex partners. This infection is very common, that’s why even those who are first time for being sexually active can get this HPV.

Can this be prevented?

By HPV vaccination, you can reduce risks for infections. HPV vaccines are providing strong protections even from the newer infections, but it is not really effective for treating those who already established disease and HPV infections. Consistent usage of condom can also be associated to reduce the transmission between partners. However, not all areas are covered by condoms, that’s why vaccine is still needed.

Who should get HPV vaccine?

People with the age of nine up to twenty- six can already be vaccinated for protection against the genital warts and different kinds of HPV. It is also recommended for children aging from eleven to twelve to fully protect them over years before they already belong to those sexually active people. Those who are older than twenty- six isn’t usually vaccinated. But then regardless of age you should still talk to your doctor or nurse to know if HPV vaccine can still benefit you.

Are there any side effects?

There are researches shown where they prove that HPV vaccine are safe. But one of the most common side effects that you may encounter is the redness and temporary pain of the area that has been shot. The reason why HPV vaccine became so controversial, is definitely because it can prevent sexually transmitted infections that leads to the belief that it not really appropriate for children. But then, this vaccine can best work if you have been vaccinated long before you already get any sexual intercourse. So, it can be a good idea if you will have it when you are still young to prevent any kind of cancers later in your life.

If you already have an HPV infection, can vaccine treat it?

If you are already having an infection, HPV vaccine can’t absolutely treat it. It is only for protecting you from getting the other types of HPV. Once you already have the disease, go to your doctor immediately and ask for the treatments that you needed.

Research said that HPV vaccines can protect you in a longer period of time. So, getting vaccinated immediately is a great choice for future purposes.

HIV Testing

It has been recommended that every person between the age of fifteen and sixty-five should have a routine doctor’s visit. For individuals, the benefits could be huge whether it is putting your minds at ease regarding the status of your HIV or to give you the needs in which to build informed decisions concerning your health. It doesn’t mean that there are no emotional challenges or else this may keep you of getting tested. However, what everyone can speak out with full confidence are the benefits offer of an HIV testing.

Reasons Why You Should Get an HIV Testing

• HIV test is fast & provide you a complete control

Discomfort, confidentiality and inconvenience are the most usual reasons why there are so many individuals who avoid an HIV testing. However, be honest with yourself. Things have enormously changed, with the latest test that offer high level of accuracy and greater speed. If you cannot bear waiting about the result of your HIV testing, then nowadays, there are many rapid HIV testing options which can offer you the results in just twenty minutes.

Aside from that, if you really hate needles, you don’t need to worry anymore, as you will no longer experience that. Saliva-based test has been widely used these days as the traditional blood test. Or probably, you are too worried about the medical confidentiality, then will rather not choose to walk in a crowded testing site, so why not try the commercially available HIV test in home, that puts you the control right back where it really belongs.

• Individuals with HIV could live normal & long lives

The explanations of many researches are so simple & plain. If you’re at your twenty’s and have found out that you are HIV positive, you can live now will to your seventy’s & beyond once provided an immediate ART or anti-retroviral therapy. Think about that, it is not all about adding some extra years in your life, but it is also about the normal longevity. On the other hand, delaying ART, for decades or some time for years, could take back those gains. Just the same when you are smoking and you inject drugs, or take drugs inconsistently for up to ten years.

• Early treatment can ensure better health

This is another reason why you should get an HIV testing. It is not only about the numbers of year that you live. Having an early therapy could afford you for healthier life and long life to boot. There are some investigations about the advantages of having an early treatment than delaying the treatment. It has been concluded that having therapy during the time of finding will not only help in reducing the illness likelihood and death at by few fifty-seven percent, however did very irrespective of ones’ age, sex, race, economic status, and viral load. So, it doesn’t really matter where you are living, how old or young you are. Having an early HIV testing can let you for an early treatment that ensures healthier & longer life.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) are diseases that are transmitted through sexual intercourse and are caused by viruses, parasites, and bacteria. Although it affects both men and women, the health issues linked to STDs might be more serious for women. For instance, Gonorrhea and Chlamydia are most especially dangerous for women, as they can cause devastating effects leading to infertility.

The presence of a prevailing sexually transmitted disease may also increase the chances of acquiring other transmitted infections such as HIV. Although a few early signs of HIV infection may be swollen glands and flu-like symptoms, which may surface within a month or two, its severe symptoms might take years to appear. People that have been infected with HIV can still survive for several years, but with drugs to combat the infection.

Furthermore, the risk of acquiring STD is extremely high among the youth or anyone who engages in an unprotected sexual activity. This increases more when a person has many sex partners. Anyone who is infected with STDs is more likely to get HIV infection when exposed to the virus via sexual contact compared to uninfected individuals. You can learn more about STDs and the need for HIV testing online. A few other sexually transmitted diseases that are equally deadly include Syphilis, Hepatitis etc.

A FEW COMMON MYTHS ASSOCIATED WITH STDS

Condoms provide absolute protection against STDs: Although it offers protection against STDs, it might not be enough to protect you from STDs that spread even with the use of condoms.

You cannot have STDs more than once: Even though STDs like gonorrhea and Chlamydia can be treated when diagnosed early, you are prone to infection if you share sexual relations with an infected person. HIV infections are for life, and you can only alleviate the infection with drugs.

No signs of infection, so I am safe: The majority of STDs do not show any symptoms immediately, sometimes, for years, and you might also mistake some symptoms for several other less serious diseases. For instance, you might mistake gonorrhea to be a bladder infection until tested.

With that said, if you are noticing symptoms of being infected or perhaps you have more than one sex partner, you may need to get tested right away. (Clinic name) offers confidential STD Screening. They also offer HIV Testing and guarantee your total privacy. You can book an appointment here.

One of the several questions most people keep asking is whether or not it is important for them to go for STD screening. Of a truth, there is no better answer to this than yes! STDs are more than just small annoyances. They are becoming increasingly more common these days due to the higher rate of people engaging in unprotected sex. By this I mean, unprotected sex outside of marriage and among the youths.

One of the several reasons why you need to go for STD screening is that it is possible for someone to have an STD and not be aware of it, since the majority of these infections do not show any symptoms at the early stage. This implies that an infected person could be spreading infections without even knowing. Furthermore, being sexually active with multiple partners without protection may result in different STD infections.

General STD Symptoms

There are several different symptoms that can occur, depending on the STD disease. But a few common ones include sores on the genitals, unusual discharges, itching and irritation, bleeding, swelling and painful areas. In addition, you can experience vomiting and nausea, diarrhea, headaches and much more. These STDs can generally hinder the overall functionality of your body. And if you have contracted an STD like HIV, then it could perhaps end up being deadly if you fail to handle it early enough.

Getting STD screening

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above or others related to STDs, then it is important to get tested for STD screening. Although most people are afraid to get STD screening because they believe it will be embarrassing or the process will take a longer time; these are far from being true. STD testing is discreet and confidential, and can be completed in few steps. With it, you will be able to know whether or not you are STD-free.

You can visit a reliable website for take home tests and likewise, there are clinics put in place that you can go and seek help without the embarrassment of visiting your family doctor or having other people find out. If you are at risk of an STD then get tested without delay. For more details, do not hesitate to contact us here.

 

Singapore STD Screening

STD screening in Singapore can be a breeze, but only if you know what to do. It can be fast, free of hassles and even free of charge at times. STD screening generally isn’t packaged as part of routine health examinations. The patient, more often than not, has to request specifically for one.

Keen to undergo a STD screen or test? Get more information here.

Do I have to specifically request for a STD screen with my physician?

As mentioned, STD screening or tests typically isn’t part of your routine health check or other test packages. Be sure to check with your physician or healthcare service provider if unsure. When sharing information regarding more intimate details about your sexual activities, be sure to be upfront with your nurse or doctor. Know that these people are professionally trained to handle cases such as yours, and more often than not they have heard countless of times stories such as yours. There is no need to fear being judged.

While speaking with a healthcare professional about such affairs may initially be awkward and uncomfortable, you will soon realize that it’s usually not as bad as you had imagined. Nurses and doctors need the information from you so that they may find the best solution, treatment or test for you. Also note that a huge majority of the population would have gotten a sexually transmitted disease at least once in their lifetimes. The doctor or nurse you are interacting with probably would have heard and seen it all.

Getting adequately tested and treated is the right thing to do – something that a responsible adult would do.

The following are some tips you may follow when breaching into the topic of a STD screen with a healthcare professional. 

• Is there a need for me to undergo a STD screen? I would like to find out more about it.
• Just checking – have you conducted any STD screen with me during our routine checkups?
• May I know what are some of the more common STDs and their signs and symptoms? How would I know if a test or screen is required?

If you are uncomfortable with raising the topic with your healthcare professional, consider whatsapp-ing / SMS-ing us at 96622880. Our team of doctors and nurses will attend to you shortly while keeping 100% confidentially and anonymity.

How do I know what are the STD screening tests that I would need to undergo?

When speaking with your doctor or nurse, he or she will base on the information you’ve provided and determine the most appropriate tests you are recommended to undergo. The following are some of things commonly discussed;

• the signs and symptoms that you have exhibited, if any
• your health history – have you or your partner ever had a sexually transmitted disease before
• if you have or had multiple sexual partners
• the nature of your sexual activities (oral, bottom, normal)
• any protection used in your course of sexual activity (condoms, pregnancy pills etc)
• when are protection used, is it regular, consistent and always or only at selected times
• do you administer drugs or other medication that may increase your risk of contracting an STD (such as sharing of needles)

Based on the discussion above and information provided, your healthcare professional will assist you in determining the next course of action that is best in your interest. Take note to be upfront, honest and frank with them. Remember, they are there to help, not to judge. Giving accurate information to them is helping them help you. There is no need to feel upset or embarrassed.