Diseases STDs

Spoiler alert: There will be no actual pictures of genital herpes in this post. Sorry to disappoint.

There’s a very interesting yet completely natural thing we do as humans: We compare. So, the first thing I did after receiving my positive diagnosis with genital herpes years ago was to rush to my nearest Google search bar and type in “pictures of genital herpes.” I wanted to get an idea of what my future situation was going to look like by looking at other people’s situations. And what I found didn’t get me too excited about my future with herpes. But come to find out… most of my worrying was pointless. Continue reading ‘Pictures of Genital Herpes? The Psychology of Comparison’ »

Everyone knows what a sexually transmitted disease is, right? You might be surprised to find that genital herpes and genital warts are vastly confused and misunderstood. And yet, it is very common. Approximately 59% of Americans have been infected with Herpes Simplex 1, 16.2% with Herpes Simplex 2, and 50% with the human papilloma virus. So what exactly is the difference between these diseases?

A fever blister is not just a cold sore. Herpes is a virus that has two common forms, with Herpes Simplex 1 being the most infamous. Also known as oral herpes, it primarily affects the lip and mouth region. It is transmitted by activities such as oral sex, kissing, and sharing a toothbrush. HSV 1 can also infect the genital region.

Genital Herpes or Herpes Simplex 2 (HSV 2) is the type that is most often associated with social stigma. It is sexually transmitted by vaginal, anal, or oral intercourse. It causes blisters in the genital and perianal region. The truth is that there is little difference between Herpes Simplex 1 and Herpes Simplex 2. The viruses DNA structure are very similar. The biggest variation appears to be in what body parts it prefers… the face or the genitals. Continue reading ‘Genital Herpes Versus Genital Warts: The Low Down on Down Below’ »

HPV infections are the recognized cause of cancer of the cervix in women. There are over 20 million people infected by this virus at any given time and over 6 million new cases of HPV that occur in the United States each year.

Although HPV infections are generally not dangerous to heterosexual men, they do nonetheless need to be evaluated and treated in order to decrease the chance of spreading the disease to their current partners and to minimize the chance of spreading to potential future uninfected partners. HPV has been associated with a higher rate of certain types of malignancies in the gay population. Continue reading ‘HPV Infections – Key Facts and Figures’ »

There are about 60 million people in the US living with herpes. Being infected can be difficult and especially trying in intimate situations. Having the herpes virus does not mean you should stay away from the dating scene though, many infected people are in perfectly healthy relationships.

Living with herpes is hard and dating with herpes may seem downright impossible, but can be done when you have an understanding partner. Telling your partner about your infection may not be the easiest thing to do, but will help protect them from contracting the virus. Being open and honest not only protects your partner, but can help build a stronger relationship. The best relationships are built with a strong foundation based on trust and honesty. An important step is discussing the frequency of outbreaks to get an idea of when they may occur. Thankfully, most people only have a few during the course of a year. Alert your partner if you begin to feel an outbreak coming so they can avoid the infected area. Continue reading ‘Living With Herpes – Having a Relationship With Herpes’ »

HPV, also known as human papilloma virus, is a group of over one hundred viruses that affect the skin and mucous membranes. Nearly forty percent of these strains are transmitted by sexual contact. The word, papilloma, means benign tumors, or warts. Warts are the most common external expression of this virus and therefore are the most treated symptom. Treatment for HPV can be done through the Western medical system or, as some people prefer through a naturopathic or homeopathic system.

Most people can have this virus and not show any symptoms. It is only when the immune system is compromised or the body is severely stressed. When this imbalance occurs, the body will usually produce warts at the site of the original contact. Most likely this will be around the genital or anal region, or mouth. This virus is also passed from skin to skin contact. Other symptoms are precancerous lesions in mucous membranes, which may develop into cancer. Have your medical doctor examination for these symptoms.

Remedies in the medical realm include many that work to remove the external signs of infection such as warts, by disrupting cell development of the Papilloma infection. Immune modulators for genital warts use two types of topical creams. Office treatments currently use a type of acid for small warts or a gel both can be used for external or internal vaginal warts. Surgical applications include freezing, laser, and cutting away larger warts. Side effects and repeat applications are common. A vaccine is available but must be given before any exposure to the virus occurs. Continue reading ‘An Alternative Treatment For HPV’ »

Of course everyone has heard by now the appalling discovery unearthed by Wellesley College professor, Susan Reverby on how the US Public Health Service (a medical branch of the US government) conducted clearly unethical and dangerous syphilis experiments in Guatemala in the mid-40s.

And all of Washington from President Obama to Secretaries Clinton and Sebelius to NIH director, Francis Collins has come out condemning the experiments and apologized to the country of Guatemala.

So what did Professor Reverby find? From 1946 to 1948, a Public Health Service (PHS) physician, Dr. John C. Cutler, ran a syphilis inoculation project on Guatemalan soldiers and prisoners to determine the prophylactic capabilities of penicillin against this infamous spirochete. Continue reading ‘Guatemalan Syphilis Experiment: In the Name of Public Health?’ »

Responsible and protected sex should always be observed by everybody. Not only does it prevent getting unwanted pregnancies, it also safeguards from infectious diseases, such as genital herpes. This disease, however, has no cure. Yet, by detecting its symptoms earlier, you will be guided on how to protect yourself from further complications.

The symptoms of this infection vary from one person to another. Because of the mildness of some symptoms, most people find it hard to recognize them. Some, on the other hand, are painful and worrisome. Its symptoms may even be mixed up with other related problems. Continue reading ‘Genital Herpes Symptoms – A Guide to Identifying Treatment for Genital Herpes’ »

This article will address chlamydia symptoms in men. Known as a “silent” disease, chlamydia can go undetected for quite some time if you don’t know what to look for. Chlamydia left untreated can cause many unpleasant complications for men.

Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection. Once a person starts developing symptoms, it then becomes known as a sexually transmitted disease. Due to the mild symptoms involved with this disease, it usually takes two to three weeks before a person even notices anything causing concern for a visit to the doctor. As many as 50% of men will have no symptoms at all, leaving this STD undetected and easily spread from partner to partner. Continue reading ‘How To Spot Chlamydia Symptoms In Men’ »

A number of people remain unaware of herpes virus signs and symptoms, if you are not really a health specialist it may be quite challenging to correctly identify this disease as numerous ailment also have related signs. Some people get unnerved once they notice a eruption or even sores on their body because they feel it could be hsv simplex virus. In this informative article, we are going to take a look at herpes signs and how to identify it.

The earliest herpes signs are often blisters, itchiness, cold sores, head ache as well as feverish conditions which often become noticeable within a day or two of contact. Herpes is often contacted through kiss or perhaps sex with an infected individual. This ailment affect both men and women around the mouth area or genital and it is referred to as oral herpes and genital herpes virus respectively. Continue reading ‘Discover Real Information About The Signs of Herpes Simplex Virus and Much More’ »

Psittacosis is an avian disease that can also affect humans. It is caused by an organism called Chlamydophila psittici that is in the same family as the much more common chlamydia organism that causes the common human sexually transmitted disease and the third world infection trachoma, a leading cause of blindness in much of the world.

Psittacosis is common in both wild birds and in birds in captivity. In captive birds it is often acquired at pet stores and in transport situations where birds are often close proximity and therefore more prone to bird to bird spread of the organism. The Chlamydophila psittici organism is typically spread from one bird to another by ingestion or inhalation of feces of an infected bird. It can also be spread by droplets. Continue reading ‘Parrot Fever’ »