Jeff Abel

“The Five” is a series of blog posts that will look at some of the most common STIs and give you answers to five of the most important questions you should be asking.

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are often not talked about because it can be an awkward topic, and when they are discussed, they are frequently misunderstood. For young adults, they are a big problem. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates there was an average of 1,188,085 new cases each year in the past five years in people between the ages of 15-29.

Asking the right questions and getting accurate answers is important. Because the more you know, the better you can protect yourself.

The Five – Chlamydia

#1 – What is Chlamydia and how do you get it?

Chlamydia is the most commonly reported STI in the United States and infects both men and women. It is passed on through vaginal, oral or anal sex with a partner who has it already. If your partner is male, you can become infected even if he doesn’t ejaculate. And it is important to know that if you’ve had chlamydia in the past and been treated, you can get infected again.

#2 – What are the symptoms of Chlamydia?

For many women and men there aren’t any symptoms that indicate you have an infection. Because of this, not only is it hard to know if you have it, but it makes it virtually impossible to know if your partner might be infected.

When symptoms are present for women, they may include a burning sensation when urinating, an abnormal vaginal discharge or bleeding, back or abdominal pain, or pain during sex.

Most men with Chlamydia have no symptoms.  When men have symptoms, they may include a discharge from the penis, a burning feeling when urinating, burning or itching around the penis opening, and pain and swelling in one or both testicles (although this is less common).

And occasionally men and women can experience pain, swelling, discharge or bleeding from the rectum if there is a rectal infection.

#3 – How can I find out if I have Chlamydia?

The only way to be sure if you have Chlamydia is to get tested. LivingWell Medical Clinic offers appointments for testing at no cost to our clients, so there’s no reason not to find out.

#4 – Is there a cure for Chlamydia?

Yes. If you test positive for Chlamydia, there is medication that can cure the infection. In order for treatment to be successful there are a few things that must happen. You will need to take all of the medication prescribed. You will also need to refrain from sexual contact during the treatment and not have sex for 7 days after the treatment is complete. You will also want your partner to get tested, and if needed, receive treatment so you don’t become infected again. Repeat infection is not unusual, so we recommend you get tested again after 3 months, even if your partner was also treated.

It is important to note that medication can stop the infection, but it can’t undo any permanent damage caused by the disease. And keep in mind that just because the treatment was successful that doesn’t mean that you won’t become re-infected and run the risk of serious and permanent damage. You should avoid risky behavior that can lead to a repeat infection.

#5 – What happens if I don’t get tested and treated if I have Chlamydia?

If you have Chlamydia and don’t get proper treatment you are putting you and your future partner’s health at risk. Left untreated Chlamydia can cause some serious health problems, especially in women. Left untreated, Chlamydia can spread to your uterus and fallopian tubes, causing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). A woman who contracts PID is at risk for damage to her reproductive system, which can make it difficult or impossible to become pregnant later in life. PID may cause a dangerous and potentially fatal ectopic pregnancy. Also, if you are pregnant, Chlamydia may make it more likely for you to deliver your baby too early, and it can also be passed on to your baby during birth. This may result in eye infections or pneumonia in a newborn.

As we mentioned earlier, young people are a high-risk group when it comes to STIs like Chlamydia. Latex condoms and dental dams used the correct way every time you have sex will lower your risk. However, the only sure-fire way to avoid getting any STI is to not have sexual contact (vaginal, oral or anal), until you are in a mutually monogamous relationship with an uninfected partner.

Bottom line, we want you to have all the information you need to make healthy decisions when it comes to sex. You can get more info about Chlamydia from the CDC. If you are sexually active and think you might need an appointment for a test, we hope to see you. All of our services are confidential and provided at no cost to you. If you have questions about Chlamydia, or our services for other STIs, feel free to leave a message in the comments below.

“The Five” is a series of blog posts that will look at some of the most common STIs or STDs and give you answers to five of the most important questions you should be asking.

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) are often not talked about because it can be an awkward topic, and when they are discussed, they are frequently misunderstood. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) [https://www.cdc.gov/std/herpes/stdfact-herpes.htm] reports that, in 2014 (the most recent report available), 299,000 people made initial doctor’s visits because of genital herpes simplex virus infections. Most people who have the disease mistake the symptoms for other conditions; and therefore, do not know they are infected.

Asking the right questions and getting accurate answers is important. The more you know, the better you can protect yourself.

The Five – Herpes

#1 – What is herpes and how do you get it?

Genital herpes is an STD, which is caused by two types of viruses:  simplex type 1 and simplex type 2. You can get infected by having oral, vaginal, or anal sex with someone who has the infection.

Fluid in the sores carry the virus, and you can contract the virus by coming into contact with that fluid. You can also get herpes from a partner who does not have visible sores or who may not even know he or she has the virus because the virus can be released through your skin and spread to your partner.

#2 – What are the symptoms of herpes?

Most people who have herpes have no symptoms or very mild symptoms. Many people mistake some of the mild symptoms for another condition – a pimple or an ingrown hair.

Genital herpes sores usually appear as blisters on or around the mouth, the rectum, or the genitals. The blisters break and leave painful sores that could take weeks to heal. This is often referred to as “having an outbreak.” The first outbreak can also include flu-like symptoms:  fever, body aches, and swollen glands.

Repeat outbreaks are common, especially during the first year of infection. Repeat outbreaks tend to be shorter and less severe and the number of outbreaks may decrease over the years. However, the virus remains in your body for the rest of your life.

#3 – How can I find out if I have herpes?

Doctors can often diagnose genital herpes by looking at the sores. Medical providers can also take a sample from the sore and test it to confirm the virus. The only way to know for sure is to have an examination and be tested.

#4 – Is there a cure for herpes?

No, there is no cure. But there are medicines that can shorten outbreaks or even prevent them. It is important to talk to a medical professional to learn how to treat symptoms and reduce the risk of spreading the virus to other parts of your body (like your eyes) and to other people.

#5 – What happens if I don’t get tested and treated if I have herpes?

Genital herpes can cause very painful sores and can be quite severe in people who have suppressed immune systems.

If you touch the sores and then touch other parts of your body (like your eyes), you can transfer the virus and infect that body part. If you are pregnant, the herpes virus can cause problems for you and your unborn baby. If you have sex with open, bleeding herpes sores, you may have an increased risk for contracting HIV.

Because it is possible to have herpes with no obvious symptoms, sexually active young people are a high-risk group. Using condoms can help lower the risk, but it will not completely eliminate the risk of getting infected. The only way to completely eliminate the risk of getting any STI or STD is to wait until you are in a mutually monogamous relationship with an uninfected partner.

We want you to have all the information you need to make healthy decisions about sex. You can get more information about herpes from the CDC, or you can schedule an appointment with us. All of our services are confidential and provided at no cost to you.

“The Five” is a series of blog posts that will look at some of the most common STIs and give you answers to five of the most important questions you should be asking.

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are often not talked about because it can be an awkward topic, and when they are discussed, they are frequently misunderstood. For young adults, they are a big problem. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates there are 79 million Americans currently infected with HPV and that about 14 million people become newly infected each year. This makes HPV the most common STI in the US.

Asking the right questions and getting accurate answers is important. Because the more you know, the better you can protect yourself.

The Five – HPV

#1 – What is HPV and how do you get it?

HPV, or Human Papillomavirus, is the most commons STI. It is a viral infection, but it is different than other viral infections such as Herpes or HIV. It is so common that most women and men who are sexually active will get it at some point. There are many different types or strains of the disease, some can cause serious health problems.

As with most STIs, you can get HPV by having oral, vaginal, or anal sex with someone who has the virus. It can pass from one person to another even when no symptoms are present.

You can lower your chances of getting infected by getting vaccinated, taking preventative measures such as using a latex condom the right way each time you have sex (this can lower your chances, but it can also infect areas not covered by a condom, so it will not give you full protection), or by being in a mutually monogamous, long-term relationship.

#2 – What are the symptoms of HPV?

Often those infected with HPV will have no symptoms. Whether you show symptoms can depend on the type of virus you have. Some types of HPV can cause genital warts, some are associated with cervical and other cancers. Many people who get infected will clear it without treatment and have no health problems. The longer the virus is present in the body though, the higher the risk of having health problems.

#3 – How can I find out if I have HPV?

Currently there is no test to find your status, and there are no tests to find HPV in the throat or mouth.  There are tests used to screen for HPV related cervical cancer, but these tests are recommended for women aged 30 and over. These screenings are not recommended for men, teens, or women under 30.

Most people who get infected don’t know it and never develop symptoms or health issues. Many find out they have infections when they develop genital warts. Women may also find out when they have an abnormal Pap test result. Others only find out when they have more serious health problems such as cancers.

#4 – Is there a cure for HPV?

There is no cure or treatment for the virus itself. There are treatments for the health problems that HPV can cause. There is a vaccine that can lower your chances of getting infected. The vaccine is recommended for boys and girls ages 11-12. Catch up vaccines are recommended for males through age 21 and females through age 26 if not vaccinated when they were younger.

#5 – What happens if I don’t get tested and treated if I have HPV?

There are no tests to find out if you have HPV and there is no treatment for the virus itself. There are treatments for the health problems it can cause such as genital warts, cervical cancer and other HPV- related cancers, such as cancer of the vulva, vagina, penis or anus.

As we mentioned earlier, young people are a high-risk group when it comes to STIs. Latex condoms and dental dams used the correct way every time you have sex will lower your risk. However, the only sure-fire way to avoid getting any STI is to not have sexual contact (vaginal, oral or anal), until you are in a mutually monogamous relationship with an uninfected partner.

Bottom line, we want you to have all the information you need to make healthy decisions when it comes to sex. You can get more info about HPV from the CDC  website.

If you are sexually active and think you might need an appointment for STI testing, we hope to see you. All of our services are confidential and provided at no cost to you. If you have questions about HPV, or our services for other STIs, feel free to leave a message in the comments below.