Diseases STDs

Famvir is an antiviral medication. An active ingredient famciclovir is present in Famvir tablets, which is used as a treatment for infections caused by herpes virus. The herpes virus encompasses various viruses that cause cold sores, shingles, genital herpes and chickenpox. Famvir stops the herpes virus from reproducing and infecting more cells in the body. Once Famvir is inside the body, it is converted to another medicine known as penciclovir, which is gradually converted to an active form of inner cells of the body, which are infected with the herpes virus. This new virus, which is activated in the body, blocks the action of a viral enzyme known as DNA polymerase.

In order to exist, multiply and spread, the herpes virus needs the DNA enzyme to copy genetic material from RNA to DNA. This process is blocked by penciclovir and this helps control the infection and strengthen the immune system. Continue reading ‘Know More About Treatment for Herpes’ »

Valtrex, an antiviral drug, is used to slow down the growth of herpes and stop it from spreading in the body. This medication does not cure herpes, but it certainly reduces the symptoms of the infection. This medication is used to treat infections that are caused by herpes viruses in both, children and adults. It helps in treatment of genital herpes, chickenpox, shingles and cold sores. Children who are at least 12 years old, can use Valtrex for treatment of cold sores.

Before taking Valtrex

It is advisable to stay away from this medication if you are allergic to any of its ingredients. Do not take it even if you are allergic to valacyclovir or acyclovir (Zovirax). If you are suffering from AIDS, kidney problems or a weak immune system, inform your doctor about it. Also tell the doctor if you had a recent bone marrow transplant. This medication might be harmful to the body, if used together with other drugs that can harm the kidneys. Always tell your doctor if you are using other medications. The doctor will help you in adjustment of your dose with other medications. Continue reading ‘What You Need to Know About AntiBiotics?’ »

The planet recently celebrated a birthday, although celebrate is a term used loosely. In fact, it is not really the right word at all, though there seems to be a lack of a better word. How do you celebrate the birth of a monster that, although greatly injured, still infected and threatened to kill 2.6 million people worldwide in 2009? The monster is HIV/ AIDS, and it just turned 30. While it is surely much older than that, the awareness and world retaliation really began 30 years ago. As a global community the world has fought valiantly with many successes, but failures as well. Game changers have come into play, and for much of the world diagnosis is now that of a chronic illness rather than a death sentence.

While this is a great thing, the monster still has not been stopped. Great strides have been made however. Recently, on May 12, 2011, the early closure of a clinical trial was announced by the US National Institutes of Health. This trial was testing the ability of antiretroviral drug therapy to reduce the likelihood of transmitting the disease. The trial was closed early due to the early indication of very positive results. This is a game changer in the response to and the fight against HIV and AIDS. The thirty year old emergency response is over now. Now is the time to set long term goals and make a plan to meet them. Continue reading ‘AIDS At 30: Taking The Response To The Next Level’ »

The clap, or Gonorrhea as it is known in the medical community is having new concerns about this otherwise harmless sexually transmitted disease. Over 700,000 new cases are being reported each year and this could signal the beginning of a new epidemic with this STD as ground zero if it isn’t addressed ASAP.

For quite some time Gonorrhea has been thought of as really no big deal. Essentially with some low-grade antibiotics it was gone with no lasting effects. Just recently however a new strain of this STD has been uncovered and this one unlike its predecessor is one that is drug resistant.

This disease is one of the most commonly spread sexually transmitted diseases in the United States. This is due to a few factors that experts know for sure including symptoms that could take up to 30 days to surface and women who have the disease, are carriers and spread it without having any symptoms and unless they are tested they might never know they have the STD or that they are passing it on to other partners unaware. These facts make this new strain especially troubling for health disease experts. Continue reading ‘Gonorrhea – New Strain May Be Drug Resistant’ »

1. WHAT ARE SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES (STDS)?

Sexually transmitted diseases are diseases that can be passed from person to person through sexual contact. In this case sexual contact means penis-vagina penetration, oral sex which is sexual contact using the mouth, and insertion of the penis into the rectum which is anal sex. Some of these diseases may be transmitted by exchange of sexual fluids such as semen or vaginal discharge. Some of the STD’s result in open sores, and it can be spread by contact with skin of someone else. There are also ways to transmit these diseases in a non sexual way, an infected pregnant woman can either give it to her baby during pregnancy, or when the baby is being delivered. Drug abusers can transmit the disease through sharing hypodermic needles that have been used by an infected person. The seriousness of STD’s varies, some are cured easily by drugs, others need a combination of treatments and drugs, whilst others have no cure, and the only option is treatment.

Continue reading ‘10 Important Facts About Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) & Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI)’ »

AIDS. The very sound of the word scares some, and makes other cringe. How did we let it get so far? There is no cure for very few diseases, and aids is one of them. Yet we still have unprotected sex, and we still share dirty needles. Come on! Granted, HIV/AIDS will never be a thing of the past, but we can do better in making the condition less common.

Continue reading ‘HIV/AIDS – Prevent It!’ »