HBV: Testing and Treatment

Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatitis B

It is important to get Hepatitis B testing if you think you may have contracted the virus. There is no cure for the virus, but treatments are available for those who are chronically infected. If you believe you have been exposed to the virus, or are displaying symptoms of Hepatitis B, it is important to go for testing. Left untreated, Hepatitis B can cause cirrhosis, liver disease, liver cancer, and death.

Diagnosis and Testing
In order to diagnose the disease, your doctor will perform a few simple blood tests. These blood tests can determine if you are infected with Hepatitis B and how much damage it has done to your system. One blood test looks for the Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in your blood. This antigen appears in your blood immediately after you become infected with Hepatitis B. It is the first sign of hepatitis infection. This antigen will disappear in 1 to 2 months.

A different test can also be performed in order to look for the Hepatitis B core antibody (Anti-HBc) in your blood. This antibody appears 1 to 2 weeks after the HBsAg has disappeared. Another blood test can be done to test for immunization or previous infection. This is known as the hepatitis B surface antibody (Anti-HBs). It is only found in people who have previously been infected with Hepatitis B or who have received the HBV vaccine.

Your doctor may also elect to perform other Hepatitis B testing to determine the extent of any damage that may have been caused by the infection. A blood test can be done in order to evaluate your liver’s function. Low albumin levels or high levels of liver enzymes may indicate liver damage. In some cases, a liver biopsy will be performed to determine the extent of this damage. The biopsy is taken using a needle.

Depending upon what your doctor finds, you will either be cleared or be diagnosed as having a certain type of Hepatitis. If you test positive for HBsAg, you will be diagnosed with acute Hepatitis B. Acute Hepatitis B generally goes away without treatment, as do the symptoms of acute Hepatitis B.. If you repeatedly test positive for HBsAg, you will be diagnosed with chronic Hepatitis B. Treatments are available for some chronic Hepatitis B carriers.

Treatment
There is no cure for Hepatitis B. The best way to prevent the disease is by getting the Hepatitis B vaccine. If you are properly vaccinated, you are safe from the virus for life. Abstinence is another way to prevent contracting the disease.

Most adults who do contract Hepatitis B will recover. 95% of acute sufferers begin to develop their own antibodies to the virus. Generally, the virus will disappear within 6 months of infection.

Interferon Alpha (IFN) is available to some chronic sufferers of Hepatitis B. If you are a chronic Hepatitis B carrier, you may be given injections of IFN in order to slow the development of the disease and prevent further liver damage. IFN is not suitable for all patients though, and can cause side effects like nausea, vomiting, fatigue, diarrhea, weight loss, and depression. If you are taking IFN, your doctor will monitor your white blood cells, platelets, and liver enzymes to be sure that the drug isn’t having a negative impact on them. The drug Lamivudine is also being used to treat chronic Hepatitis B carriers, especially in cases where IFN isn’t suitable.

Babies that have contracted the virus from their mother are treated as soon as they are born because pregnant women cannot take Hepatitis B treatments. Babies are given Hepatitis B immune globulin within 12 hours of birth. They are also given the Hepatitis B vaccine.

For those who have suffered extreme liver damage or liver failure, the only treatment available is a liver transplant. If you have liver failure, you will be placed in the Intensive Care Unit at your hospital where your liver function will be closely monitored. If your liver is damaged it will have difficulty processing proteins, so lactulose or neomycin supplements will be administered to you orally to help limit your body’s protein production.

Hepatitis B Symptoms

Hepatitis B (HBV): Symptoms and Consequences

Hepatitis B is a viral infection that attacks your liver. The Hepatitis B virus can seriously impact upon your liver function and can lead to cirrhosis, liver disease, and liver cancer. Over 1.25 million Americans are currently infected with Hepatitis B. Most contract the disease between the ages of 20 and 49, though newborns are also especially at risk. 15% to 25% of chronically infected people die as a result of their liver disease. This infection is now easily preventable through a safe and effective Hepatitis B vaccine.

Hepatitis B Symptoms
Many people infected with Hepatitis B are not even aware that they have the virus. This is because more than 30% of people with the disease suffer no symptoms. Many symptoms of Hepatitis B are similar to a mild flu. Therefore, many sufferers do not seek medical attention. If you think that you may have contracted Hepatitis B, it is important to see a doctor and get tested.

Hepatitis B symptoms can range in intensity. Some symptoms may be milder than others. If you are infected with the virus, you may experience nausea and stomach cramping accompanied with vomiting and diarrhea. You may also feel some abdominal pain, starting on your right side and radiating to your back. Loss of appetite and fatigue are common symptoms of Hepatitis B as are fever and chills.

Another Hepatitis symptom is jaundice, in which your skin may take on a yellowish appearance, as can the whites of your eyes. You urine may also be darker then normal, appearing tea-colored while your bowel movements could appear gray or clay-colored.

Mononucleosis, a viral infection, has symptoms that may be confused with Hepatitis B. If you think you have mono, seek mono relief as soon as possible.

Possible Consequences of Hepatitis B
If you have contracted Hepatitis B, you may be facing serious consequences. Without Hepatitis B treatment, your body can undergo severe liver damage. Your liver is responsible for cleaning the wastes that your body produces. The virus attacks the cells in your liver, leaving behind fat and scar tissue. This prevents the liver from doing its job properly. Your liver may suffer irreparable damage, causing death.

Hepatitis B during pregnancy can seriously affect your baby’s health. No treatments for Hepatitis B are available for infected pregnant women. After birth, your baby must receive appropriate medication for the disease, including the Hepatitis B vaccination. Up to 90% of newborns infected with the virus at birth will be chronic Hepatitis B carriers.

Hepatitis B (HBV)

Hepatitis B (HBV)

Hepatitis B is a potentially serious disease that attacks your liver. It is a viral infection similar to Hepatitis A and Hepatitis C. Unlike Hepatitis A, however, the Hepatitis B virus (HBV) has the potential to seriously damage your liver and can cause chronic illness and even death. About 1.25 million Americans are currently infected with Hepatitis B. 10% of those infected will develop chronic Hepatitis B, in which the virus can stay in the body for years. 15 to 25% of those infected with chronic Hepatitis B will die from liver disease. A Hepatitis B vaccine is now available to safeguard against this virus.

Type of Infection: Viral

Mode of Transmission: Person to person exchange of bodily fluids: unprotected vaginal, oral, and anal sex; infected pregnant mom to unborn child; sharing of contaminated drug needles; piercing the skin with contaminated tattoo or piercing needles; piercing the skin with contaminated medical or dental instruments; receiving contaminated blood or blood products; and receiving contaminated tissues or organs.

Symptoms: A large percentage of those infected with Hepatitis are unaware that they are infected. About 30% of those with Hepatitis B experience no symptoms. Others feel like they have just caught a common flu. Hepatitis B symptoms can include: yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes (jaundice); fatigue or extreme fatigue; loss of appetite; nausea and vomiting; abdominal pain; fever and chills; dark, tea-colored urine; and grey or clay-colored bowel movements. It typically takes 9 to 21 weeks from the time of transmission for symptoms of Hepatitis B to manifest. Hepatitis B signs and symptoms are more likely to occur in infected adults than in infected children. 1% of those infected with HBV will experience extreme side effects. This is known as fulminant hepatitis. Fulminant hepatitis requires immediate medical attention.

Treatment: There is no known cure for Hepatitis B. Most infections will clear up within a few months. Those chronically-infected can be treated using the following drugs: Interferon Alfa or Lamivudine. These drugs will not cure Hepatitis B but they can markedly slow down its development as well as decrease the chance of liver disease.

Complications: Those chronically-infected with HBV can develop severe liver disease or liver cancer. As liver cells die, they are replaced with scar tissue. This is known as cirrhosis. Cirrhosis prevents the liver from cleansing wastes produced within the body. This can lead to severe illness and even death. 15 to 25% of those chronically- infected with the Hepatitis B will die.

Consequences in Infants: Hepatitis B during pregnancyis highly infectious to fetuses and newborns. Mothers infected with Hepatitis B can transmit the disease to their child through the umbilical cord. Transmission cannot be prevented by cesarean section. Almost 90% of those newborns infected at birth will become chronic carriers of Hepatitis B, increasing their risk for developing liver disease and liver cancer. Pregnant women should have Hepatitis B testing as soon as possible. Those newborns infected with the disease should be given Hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) and a first dose of the Hepatitis B vaccine within twelve hours of birth. A second dose of the Hepatitis B vaccine should be administered when the baby is 1 to 2 months old, and the third dose should be administered at six months.

Risk Factors: Those at risk of contracting Hepatitis B include: intravenous drug users; those who have multiple sex partners or who have unprotected sex; males that have sex with other males; infants born to infected mothers; individuals who get multiple piercings or tattoos; those who live or have close contact with a chronically-infected person; health care workers; staff and residents of correction facilities; hemophiliacs requiring blood products; those with kidney failure or who require dialysis; those traveling to areas where Hepatitis B is common (South America, Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe, Pacific Islands, Middle East); those adopting children from areas where Hepatitis B is common; and children of immigrants who were born in areas where Hepatitis B is common.

Prevention: The best way to prevent the contraction of Hepatitis B is to get a Hepatitis vaccination. It is especially important to vaccinate newborns and infants. If vaccinated properly, you are protected for life against the disease. In order to prevent contraction of Hepatitis B abstain from sex with infected partners, and especially avoid anal sex where exchange of bodily fluids is likely. It is also important to minimize the number of sexual partners that you have. Though condoms have not been proven to safeguard against Hepatitis B, their proper use may reduce the risk of infection. Avoid sharing razors, toothbrushes, and other personal items with those around you. Check into all health practices before you get a tattoo or piercing. If you are a health or medical worker, ensure you follow the proper safety procedures when handling potentially infectious materials. If you already have Hepatitis B or have had it in the past, do not donate blood, tissues, or organs.

Research: Research into Hepatitis B and fighting chronic infections is ongoing. Currently, new advances have been made in the field of drug treatments for chronic carriers patients. The HIV drug, lamivudine, has shown great promise in effectively treating Hepatitis B, especially when combined with other existing Hepatitis B treatment. New research also suggests that the Hepatitis B virus can be killed with minimal damage to the liver. T-cells in the body can attack and kill Hepatitis B cells without harming the cells that make up the liver.

Genital Herpes FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions about Herpes

What causes genital herpes and what are the symptoms?

Most cases of genital herpes are caused by genital infection with HSV 2 a virus that almost exclusively infects the genital region. HSV2 is the virus most associated with recurrent genital outbreaks making it by far the issue facing most patients today.

Genital herpes, whether a primary infection, or a recurrence, can exhibit a variety of clinical symptoms. These range from the "classical" symptoms of genital ulcers or blisters (referred to as "lesions") on, or around, the genitals, to "atypical" symptoms such as diffuse sores, reddening and irritation on the genitals, groin or buttocks, pain on passing urine (dysuria), and a discharge from the vagina. Infection may also be accompanied by a variety of systemic symptoms such as flu-like symptoms (fever, headache, and muscle pain) and tender, or swollen lymph glands, particularly in the groin. These symptoms are more common with a primary infection than with a recurrence.

Often, especially in recurrent cases, symptoms may be so mild as to pass unnoticed or may be absent completely. Sometimes genital herpes are confused with a mild outbreak of boils, however boils are much larger and more painful. If you have boils, seek appropriate treatment for boils.

When a person has an outbreak with no symptoms, this is described as an asymptomatic recurrence. Generally accepted figures for the occurrence of typical, atypical and no symptoms are 20%, 60% and 20% respectively. In other words, symptoms which are not "typical" of genital herpes (atypical and no symptoms) are, in fact, the norm for a genital herpes outbreak. Because of this, the majority (>85%) of people infected with genital herpes are completely unaware that they are infected. This has important consequences for transmission of the disease.

During an outbreak, live virus may be produced ("shed") on the skin of the infected person. This can then be passed to a sex partner and might infect them. Since the symptoms of a genital herpes outbreak can be absent, or so mild so as to pass unnoticed, the virus can be transmitted without either partner knowing they are infected.

Shedding of the virus without there being any noticeable symptoms ("asymptomatic shedding") occurs frequently in infected people and is considered to be one of the main routes of transmission.

How can I get diagnosed?

There are two relevant tests for genital herpes, viral culture and type specific blood tests .For patients who have sores or other outward signs of infection -- what the medical literature calls a "lesion" -- the most commonly used method is viral culture. Viral culture looks for the presence of virus in the lesion. Blood tests (serologic tests) detect herpes by looking for antibodies in the blood or serum. Blood tests can be performed even when no symptoms are present but you should ensure they are type specific.

Viral Culture

Prior to type specific serology, Viral culture was the "gold standard" of laboratory testing for herpes and is still by far the most widely available. The technique is similar to that you may have seen in your high school biology class, when bacteria are grown (cultured) in a petri dish. To perform a viral culture, the doctor will use a sterile swab to retrieve a sample from a lesion. A good swab will generally cause some discomfort when a sore or lesion is sampled. The sample is sent to a laboratory where it is grown for several days in a culture of healthy primate cells. If the sample contains herpes, the virus will infect the cells of the culture, causing cellular changes that can be seen with a microscope.

However, a poor sample may cause accuracy to drop. Even if herpes lesions are present, there may be very little active virus left in the lesions. In this case, the culture will come back as a "false negative." That is, the test says there's no herpes even when the patient has genital herpes. It's estimated that 20% of culture tests produce a "false negative" when a patient has a first episode of herpes. With recurrent episodes, when less virus is present, the rate of false negatives goes up to 50%. It takes anywhere from two to seven days to get viral culture results back from the laboratory, which may mean several visits to your doctor before a diagnosis is confirmed.

Type Specific Serology

The new type specific tests, which distinguish HSV 2 from HSV1, have been shown to contribute to patient management in almost 80% of all herpes cases, as they can be done when a person has no symptoms and the sensitivity and specificity is better than culture.

Most cases of genital herpes are caused by genital infection with HSV 2 a virus that almost exclusively infects the genital region. Although genital infection with HSV 1 is also reported, up to 70% of the general population is infected orally with HSV 1 and serological tests for HSV 1 cannot distinguish between oral and genital infection. Therefore unlike HSV 2 identifying genital HSV 1 serologically is difficult as in most cases a positive result may be due to simple oral infection. Indeed serological testing for HSV 1 has been shown to be unhelpful in diagnosing genital herpes (Munday et al 1998). Furthermore the many positive tests that would be generated as result of widespread application of HSV 1 serology to diagnose genital herpes could cause many patients undue concern.

In a situation where HSV 2 has been out-ruled as a cause of genital herpes and HSV 1 is still suspected as a cause, the only reliable method to confirm presence of the virus is a culture test which should be done when lesions are present. HSV 1 serology has some value in patient counselling as a negative result from such a test does indicate naivety to the virus and such patients may be advised that they are at risk of contracting genital HSV 1 from oral genital sex. (Lafferty et al 2000)

The following table outlines the advantages and disadvantages of genital herpes tests:

Test type Name	Specimen	HSV 2 Performance			Ability to confirm genital HSV1	Advantages/ disadvantages
		Accuracy	Sensitivity to initial infection	Time to result
Viral Culture	Lesion scrape	Accurate when positive	High	2 weeks	High	Accuracy varies based on specimen quality and timing Useful to identify genital HSV1 versus oral HSV1 Relevant only to the 20% of patients with lesions
Type Specific Serology
Western Blot	Blood draw	Highly accurate	High (13 days)	2 weeks	Low	Highly accurate test but not commercially available
Meridien Premier	Blood draw	Accurate	Low (>30 days)	2 weeks	Low	Accurate test not widely available Insensitive to initial infections
MRL	Blood draw	Highly Accurate	Unknown	2 weeks	Low	Highly accurate test with unknown sensitivity to initial infections
POCkit HSV2	Finger stick drop	Highly accurate	High ( 12 days)	10 mins	N/A	Highly accurate test but not all clinics conduct in-office tests

What if I had symptoms before, but they're gone now? Can I still get tested for herpes?

Lots of people need to be tested more than once. As we explained above, the most widely used test for herpes is the viral culture, and it often misses herpes even when it's present. Often a patient who has received a negative culture result will be asked to come back again when a new genital lesion appears so that culture can be tried a second or third time.

In contrast to this approach, one of the new type-specific blood tests is more efficient, since it can find antibodies to herpes anytime after the first few weeks of infection. With these tests, you don't need to wait until you have signs or symptoms before you go in for testing. You just need to be sure you have waited long enough after first becoming infected so that your body has developed antibodies.

Type-specific blood tests are ideal for those who have had a history of genital symptoms but have never had a successful confirmatory test.


What if I've never had symptoms but want to know for sure?

If you've never had symptoms before but want to be tested for herpes, a type-specific blood test is the only way to find out your status. Getting tested may make sense if you:

• are in a relationship where your partner has herpes but you have no symptoms and have never been tested;
• have had a partner whom you know to be infected with genital herpes and now wonder about your own status; or
• have had several sexual partners and want to be tested for the most prevalent Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)

How do I introduce the subject with my Healthcare Provider?

Many people wonder whether they have acquired a sexually transmitted disease (STD) such as herpes from a sexual partner, but they are often reluctant to bring up the subject. This is perfectly understandable, and research shows that both patients and health care professionals have trouble being perfectly candid about sexual matters.

The good news is that the taboos around this subject are now crumbling, and the importance of an open dialog with your provider about sexual health is widely acknowledged as a critical piece of your overall health care. The challenge seems to largely one of getting over the initial embarrassment and getting started.

First of all, keep in mind that Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) are among the most widespread infectious diseases and they affect all kinds of people. You have every reason to ask your healthcare provider about Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs), and he or she has every reason to be concerned about this part of your health care.

If you have some reluctance about bringing up sexual issues, it may be helpful to write down your concerns or questions ahead of time. You might start the conversation by simply stating what brings the issue to mind. Some examples: "Another thing I wanted to talk to you about. I've noticed I've had some recurrent symptoms in the genital area. No problems right now. But I've been thinking about it and I'd say I can't remember ever being tested for Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs). What would you recommend?" "I was reading an article the other day about how many people have an STD, and I've actually been wondering if I might have been exposed to one at some point. I wonder if you have particular tests you run for people who are concerned about this." "I have another question: My last partner had genital herpes, and I don't think I was infected but I've been wanting to know for sure. Can you test me for that?"

In any of these scenarios, it's likely that your health care provider would follow your question by asking about you. These questions might include: Have you changed partners recently? Do you use condoms? What symptoms have you had? Testing would come later, but you would have started the necessary dialog.

Source: Diagnology and the American Social Health Association. "Stop the Spread Campaign," April 2001.

Natural Treatment for Herpes

Genital Herpes Relief

There are a number of at-home herpes remedies that you can do to help relieve your genital herpes symptoms.

During a Herpes Outbreak
Since there is no herpes cure, following these guidelines during a herpes outbreak will help you stay comfortable plus reduce your chances of spreading this STD:

• Avoid touching your herpes sores and avoid any and all sexual contact from the first onset of symptoms until they have completely cleared up.
• Frequently wash your hands, especially under the fingernails, throughout the day
• Keep your lesions clean and dry. You may want to sprinkle some cornstarch in your underwear to help the area stay dry.
• Wear cotton or some other type of natural fiber underwear and loose-fitting clothing.
• Drink lots of water

Genital Herpes Pain Relief
Here are some tips to help you deal with any discomfort you may experience during an outbreak:

• Place ice packs onto the affected area
• Take a warm bath
• Apply cool, non-herbal tea bags to the affected area
• If you’re experiencing any pains, aches or fever with the outbreak, you may want to take an ibuprofen, aspirin or acetaminophen

Outbreak Prevention
If you’re living with herpes, making some lifestyle changes may help reduce recurrent outbreaks.

• While study findings have not been conclusive, lowering your stress levels and learning how to be better handle stress may be beneficial in preventing herpes outbreaks
• Caffeine has been shown to have some anti-herpes virus properties although those infected with HSV-1 may not realize any benefits from consuming caffeinated beverages
• Some herbal remedies, including the use of Melissa, aloe vera, Echinacea, and tea tree oil, may be helpful but it is important to consult a professional herbalist before using any herbal treatment. Herbs are not a regulated substance and can be extremely potent with serious side effects if not taken properly.

Other home remedies that have shown some potential in treating or preventing herpes outbreaks include Watkins Medical Ointment, gypsy mushrooms (which have been shown to have an HSV-1 and HSV-2 inhibiting chemical), and a Prunella vulgaris plant extract (which may prevent the viral growth of both HSV strains in cells).

Does Lysine Help Against Herpes?
Some people have found that taking an L-lysine supplement may help reduce the healing time for cold sores as well as prevent future outbreaks. The recommended dose is usually about 1g per day. It has also been suggested that consuming a diet high in L-lysine but low in arginine (both are amino acids) levels can prevent breakouts of HSV-1 and possibly HSV-2. However, there is not enough research to back this claim up. Foods that typically have a high L-lysine level and low arginine level include beans, beef, fish and most fruits, vegetables and dairy products.

Herpes Treatment

Diagnosing and Treating Genital Herpes

There are a variety of ways to both diagnose and treat herpes. What type of diagnostic procedure and herpes treatment you receive depend on whether or not you have any herpes symptoms.

Diagnosing Genital Herpes
People who are experiencing a herpes outbreak may be able to receive a diagnosis from their doctor simply through a visual examination of the herpes bumps or lesions. However, herpes sores tend to resemble syphilis lesions making a visual diagnosis less reliable. Furthermore, herpes sores may not be present or visible (as in the case of vaginal herpes) which is why an actual herpes test is often a more accurate way of identifying a herpes infection.

Tzanck Test
This test can only be done when a person is having a herpes outbreak. For the test, a tissue sample is scraped off the surface of the lesion. It is then stained and examined under a microscope to see if any cells contain multiple nuclei. If the cells do contain an abundant amount of nuclei, then a herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection is likely. However, this test tends to be between 50% and 70% accurate and it cannot distinguish between HSV-1 and HSV-2 or even HSV and herpes zoster (the strain associated with shingles). Results of the test can be produced fairly quickly, though.

Viral Culture
This type of diagnostic test can be as much as 100% accurate so long as the test is done while your herpes sores are still in the clear blister stage and haven’t scabbed over. To test the lesion, a fluid sample is taken from the sore. For the best results, the sample should be taken within three days of the blisters appearance. The sample is then left to culture and analyzed for the presence of the herpes virus. Results of this test can take from 24 hours to a few days.

Blood Tests
A blood test can be performed regardless of whether or not there are any herpes sores present. For this test, a sample of your blood is taken and analyzed for HSV antibodies. While the test is 85% accurate in determining a herpes infection, it is 100% accurate at identifying whether you are infected with herpes simplex virus 1 or herpes simplex virus 2. While a blood test used to have to be sent to a lab for analysis, a new type of blood test has been developed and approved by the FDA, which your doctor can perform in her office. Called the POCkit (Point of Care kit), this herpes test can provide an accurate result in 10 minutes.

Herpes Treatments
Herpes medication generally consist of three types of drugs: acyclovir (Zovirax), valacyclovir (Valtrex) and famciclovir (Famvir). All three work to hasten the healing of herpes sores and can also work to suppress an outbreak. However, they cannot prevent herpes transmission nor are they a herpes cure. Currently, there is no cure for herpes.

Acyclovir
Depending on the location of the outbreak, this herpes prescription drug can be administered either through pills, injections or topical creams. The topical treatment tends to be the least effective of the three while the injections can cause blood clots at the site of injection as well as increase your risk of kidney problems. Oral medications are a common genital herpes treatment. However, repeat doses are usually required and these herpes pills can include some unpleasant side effects, such as nausea/vomiting, headaches, exhaustion, rash, tremors and, rarely, seizures.

Valacyclovir
Once this drug reaches the liver and intestines, it is converted into acyclovir. As a result, your body receives a higher concentration of the drug but without increasing the toxicity level. This means fewer doses are required. However, those people who have a compromised immune system will have a higher risk of developing blood clots with the use of this drug.

Famciclovir
This herpes treatment is not as effective at combating the symptoms of HSV-2 compared to acyclovir. Once this drug comes into contact with an enzyme produced by the herpes virus, it is converted into penciclovir. Penciclovir is typically used as an ointment to treat areas of skin affected by herpes.

If your body is resistant to the usual medication in herpes prescriptions, or if some other health issue prevents you from taking these medications, another drug may be prescribed.

Possible Future Treatments
Researchers are testing various drugs that work to enhance your immune system thereby helping to prevent herpes outbreaks. Additionally, a herpes vaccine has been in the works for a number of years now and many scientists are hoping to see an effective vaccine on the market within the next five years. While universal immunization would help to drastically reduce the number of people infected with herpes, it would do little to help those already infected.

Herpes Symptoms

Herpes Symptoms

There are two strains of the herpes virus: Herpes Simplex Type 1 and Herpes Simplex Type 2. Herpes Simplex 1 is responsible for oral herpes, more commonly known as cold sores, which generally show up on or around the mouth. Herpes Simplex 2 is responsible for genital herpes and is considered to be a sexually transmitted disease.

When Will the Symptoms of Herpes Appear?
Once you have been exposed to the virus through direct skin-to-skin contact, it can take anywhere from two to 20 days before your first episode of symptoms of genital herpes will occur. While the first outbreak of herpes is usually the worst one you will experience, as much as 60% of those infected with the virus will fail to notice any symptoms because the outbreak is so mild. Even if you do not have any symptoms, though, you can still pass on the virus to your sexual partners.

On average, the first herpes outbreak in men lasts about two weeks while in women the average is three weeks. Additionally, because women frequently experience their herpes sores in the vagina, many may mistake the few herpes symptoms they have for some other type of infection. You may confuse herpes with an outbreak of boils. Boils are larger and more painful, but a variety of boil treatments are available. It is not uncommon for a woman infected with the herpes virus to be misdiagnosed with a yeast infection, pelvic inflammatory disease or an inflamed cervix (cervicitis). While women frequently develop vaginal herpes, it is also possible to develop lesions on the vulva, cervix, urethra, anus, thighs and buttocks. If you have unusual vaginal discharge or persistent vaginal discomfort, it is a good idea to be tested for herpes.

Genital Herpes Symptoms
The most common sign of herpes is red, sensitive skin that develops sores or blisters (often referred to as herpes bumps). These lesions usually show up in and around the genital area, although female symptoms of herpes may cause these blisters to develop inside the vagina. Other signs and symptoms of genital herpes include:

• Swollen lymph glands in the groin
• Headaches
• Muscle aches
• Fever
• Lower back pain

In women, herpes symptoms can also include vaginal discharge and pain or a burning sensation when urinating. About 25% of women will develop meningitis as a complication of their first herpes outbreak while another 10% to 15% will have troubles urinating because of their herpes.

Recurrent Herpes Outbreaks
Of those people who experienced an outbreak of herpes sores when they were first infected, 80% will go on to have recurrent outbreaks. Although these outbreaks tend to be less severe and shorter in duration than the first outbreak, they can still be just as uncomfortable. Additionally, a person is more likely to pass on the virus when they experience an outbreak.

Prior to the recurrent breakout, though, many individuals tend to experience "warning symptoms" that they are about to have another herpes episode. Often, an individual will have some pain or discomfort in the area that is infected before their herpes sores develop. During this time, you are considered to be very contagious despite the absence of herpes blisters.

Herpes Treatment
Although there is no herpes cure, there are various herpes medications available that can ease the discomfort of your symptoms and shorten the length of the herpes outbreak.

Genital Herpes

Genital Herpes (HSV-2)

Genital Herpes
More than 45 million Americans are infected with the herpes simplex virus that causes genital herpes. There are two types of herpes virus: Herpes Simplex Virus 1 (HSV-1) and Herpes Simplex Virus 2 (HSV-2). Generally, HSV-1 is associated with oral herpes, marked by the presence of cold sores around the mouth, while HSV-2 is thought to be the cause of genital herpes. However, HSV-1 has also been shown to cause genital herpes. The herpes virus lives in certain nerve cells in your body where it remains for life.

Type of Infection: Viral

Mode of Transmission: Through direct skin-to-skin contact with the infected area during vaginal, anal or oral sex.

Symptoms: Although first episode symptoms of genital herpes tend to be worse than subsequent herpes outbreaks, often a person’s herpes symptoms are so mild they go unnoticed. If you have been exposed to the virus, genital herpes symptoms can take between two and ten days to appear. Symptoms of herpes can include an itching or burning sensation and pain around the infected area. Painful lesions in the vagina, on the penis, around the genital area or anus, and on the thighs or buttocks often occur as well. Female herpes symptoms may also include vaginal discharge. Women frequently develop vaginal herpes, with herpes bumps and sores occurring in the vagina.

Treatment: Currently, there is no herpes cure. However, you can receive herpes treatment to help relieve your discomfort during an outbreak as well as reduce the frequency of outbreaks. There are three different types of herpes medication available, one of which may help lower the risk of herpes transmission.

Complications: Because there is no cure for herpes, an infected person will have to deal with outbreaks and the possibility of transmitting the virus to a loved one for the rest of their life. Fortunately, herpes does not cause any long-term health complications. However, if you have an outbreak of herpes sores, your risk for HIV infection is increased, as it is easier for the virus to enter your body through the lesions. People with a compromised immune system may experience more frequent and severe outbreaks.

Consequences in Infants: Having your first outbreak of genital herpes while you are pregnant increases your risk of going into premature labor. Additionally, you may pass the virus onto your child, which can lead to nerve damage or even death. If you have an outbreak of genital herpes when you go into labor, it may be necessary to deliver the child via c-section.

Risk Factors: Since the 1970s, cases of herpes have grown significantly, most notably among teens. While anyone who is sexually active is at risk, women, especially those in their early twenties, have a slightly higher risk of being infected than men.

Prevention: Abstaining from sex or being in a long-term, mutually monogamous relationship with someone who has tested free of HSV are the most effective methods to prevent being infected. Always avoid any type of sexual contact with someone who is having an outbreak of herpes, both genital and oral. Using a condom when someone is not having an outbreak can help reduce your risk of infection. Condoms will not offer any type of protection against direct contact with a herpes sore.

Research: Current research is looking for ways to improve herpes medications as well as develop a herpes vaccine. Scientists are also trying to develop topical microbicides to help prevent the spread of genital herpes in women.

Gonorrhea Treatment

Gonorrhea: Diagnosis, Testing, and Treatment

Gonorrhea, also known as "The Clap," is a sexually transmitted disease that affects about 800,000 people a year in the United States. It can be contracted by both men and women, however men are four times more likely to exhibit symptoms of the disease. It is important to get tested if you think that you may have gonorrhea or if you are exhibiting any symptoms of gonorrhea, as prolonged infection can cause Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) in women, and epididymitis in men. Gonorrhea is easily treatable with antibiotics.

Diagnosis and Testing
If you think that may have gonorrhea, or have gonorrhea symptoms, visit with your doctor. Simple tests are available to confirm an infection. The sooner you begin gonorrhea treatments, the better. While gonorrhea treatment is 95% to 99% effective, it cannot reverse any damage already done to your reproductive organs.

Your doctor will begin the exam by taking your medical history and asking you for information about your symptoms. It is important to be as clear as possible about any symptoms you may be having, so your doctor can estimate how long you have been infected. Your doctor will then conduct a physical exam during which time he will look for any signs of infection, including fever, inflammation of the vagina or penis, and discharge from the vagina or penis.

If you are a woman, your doctor will also check you for any tenderness in the lower abdomen that could indicate an infection. Your doctor will also take a sample of any discharge that is apparent. In women, samples may be taken from the cervix, anus, or throat. In men, a sample of discharge may be taken from the penis, anus, or throat. This sample will be sent off for culture testing of the bacteria that cause gonorrhea.

The sample of discharge taken from you will be placed in plastic dish and allowed to grow (or culture) for two days. If any bacteria are present, they will multiply and be easily identifiable under a microscope. Some doctors may also have access to a urine test for gonorrhea. A urine sample will be collected and can indicate an infection. This test is not as reliable as the culture test, but will help to rule out the infection.

Treatment
If you test positive for gonorrhea, don’t worry; the disease is easily treatable. You will likely be offered an antibiotic, either in pill form or by injection. A single dose is usually all that is required, but some antibiotics require longer courses. Common antibiotics for gonorrhea include: Ofloxacin, Cefixine, and Ceftriaxine.

If you are pregnant and have gonorrhea, or if you are under the age of 18, it is important to tell your doctor. Certain antibiotics shouldn’t be used by pregnant women or by people under 18.

It is important to take all of the medication that is prescribed to you, even if you aren’t experiencing any symptoms. You must also abstain from sex until you have tested negative for the disease. If you have tested positive for gonorrhea, any and all sexual partners you have had should also be tested in order to prevent spreading the infection as well as to avoid future complications.

Complications
If left untreated, gonorrhea can cause many problems in both women and men. Untreated gonorrhea can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease in women. PID has been shown to cause scarring on the reproductive organs, which can cause infertility, as well as increase a woman’s risk of ectopic pregnancy, a potentially life threatening problem. Gonorrhea can also cause infertility in men if it the STD is not treated.

It is also possible for gonorrhea to spread to other parts of the body. It has been known to infect the heart valves and the brain as well as cause joint inflammation.

Follow Up
After you have finished your medications, wait three days before returning to your doctor to get tested. You should also get tested for HIV and Chlamydia, because many of those infected with gonorrhea are also susceptible to these diseases. If for any reason your symptoms do not clear up, return to your doctor for further advice.

Gonorrhea Symptoms

Gonorrhea: Symptoms and Consequences

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease that can be contracted through the exchange of bodily fluids such as blood, semen, and saliva. Also known as "the Clap," gonorrhea is caused by bacteria, which can infect the cervix, urethra, throat, or anus. Most people who contract gonorrhea are under the age of 30. In fact, 75% of all cases in the United States involve men and women between 16 and 30 years old. When treated efficiently, antibiotics cure 95% to 99% of all cases.

Symptoms of Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea can be difficult to diagnose, especially in women. This is because women often exhibit few or no symptoms, or mistake gonorrhea for a mild bladder infection; in fact, as many as 50% of female gonorrhea sufferers experience no symptoms. Men are much more likely to develop symptoms. Gonorrhea can infect the cervix, urethra, anus, and throat. Depending upon how you contracted the disease and how long you’ve had it for, you may experience symptoms affecting a number of these areas.

Symptoms of gonorrhea generally appear between 2 and 10 days after infection, although it could take as long as 30 days for your symptoms to appear. If you are a woman and are suffering from gonorrhea, you may experience bleeding after sex and frequent, painful urination. These symptoms are especially common in the early stages of an infection of the cervix. Later symptoms include nausea, fever, vomiting, bleeding between periods, and a yellow or bloody vaginal discharge.

If you are a man infected with gonorrhea, you may experience pain while urinating, frequent urination, and swollen testicles. This indicates an infection of the urethra. You may also notice a white, green, or yellow discharge from the tip of your penis. Your penis will probably look tender and redder than usual and you may notice a swelling of the glands in the groin area.

The gonorrhea bacteria can also infect the anus and throat. Symptoms of an infection in the anus include painful bowel movements, itching, discharge, and bloody stool. An oral infection often causes a sore throat, and a pus-like material on the tonsils or on the back of the throat. Infections in these areas can easily spread to other parts of the body so it is important to get treated as soon as possible.

Possible Consequences of Infection
If it goes untreated, gonorrhea can be a potentially hazardous disease. Women infected with gonorrhea risk developing a variety of complications. The bacteria can easily travel from the cervix into the uterus, and eventually up the fallopian tubes. This can cause a condition called Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). 15% of women who have the infection in their cervix will develop this disease. PID can damage your fallopian tubes and may lead to infertility. It can also increase your chance of having an ectopic pregnancy. This occurs when a fertilized egg grows outside of the uterus, usually inside of the fallopian tubes. Ectopic pregnancies are extremely dangerous and potentially life threatening.

Men who leave their gonorrhea untreated are also at risk for developing epididymitis, a painful condition of the testicles which can ultimately lead to infertility.

If you display any of the symptoms of gonorrhea, or think you may have been exposed, it is important to get tested for the infection as soon as possible. People infected with gonorrhea are more likely to contract Chlamydia or HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Pregnant women are strongly encouraged to be tested for gonorrhea as the infection can be passed on to your child.

Human Papilloma Virus Vaccine

The Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) or Cervical Cancer Vaccine

Recently, a new vaccine called Gardasil has been developed with the purpose of preventing cervical cancer along with other conditions related to the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is a virus that can lead to a sexually transmitted disease and develop into genital warts. In some cases, certain strains of HPV lead to cervical cancer. The following is an overview of just how HPV vaccination works to prevent sexually transmitted disease and the symptoms of cervical cancer, as well as its recommended use and potential Gardasil side effects.

About Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)
The human papilloma virus (HPV) is most commonly associated with genital warts, an STD that develops as a result of contacting the virus through sexual activity. In fact, there are approximately forty types of HPV that are transmitted sexually. Some of these HPV strains may lead to cervical cancer in women, and other forms of cancer in both men and women. Other HPV types do indeed lead to genital warts. Often, individuals who have contracted HPV show no symptoms at all, and are unaware that they have been infected with HPV.

HPV is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the United States, and affects at least 50% of sexually active individuals at some point in their lives. There is no cure for HPV, but there are treatments available to help ease the symptoms of HPV.

What is Gardasil?
Gardasil is the first HPV vaccine developed, and is currently in use. Gardasil aims to prevent the development of cervical cancer, precancerous genital lesions, and genital warts that are caused by the human papillomavirus. The vaccine works by preventing the four most common types of HPV: HPV-6, HPV-11, HPV-16 and HPV-18. These strains are responsible for 70% of cervical cancer cases, and approximately 90% of all genital warts.

Who Gets the HPV Vaccine?
Currently, the HPV vaccine is recommended for all girls between the ages of 11 and 12. This is because the vaccine is most effective in women who have not been previously exposed to HPV due to sexual activity. The vaccine does not treat an HPV infection or its symptoms if an individual has already contracted the virus; however it can help protect women against other strains of HPV.

The vaccination can be administered as early as the age of nine in girls, and is also recommended for females between the ages of 13 and 26, given that they had not previously been vaccinated or have not completed the full series of HPV vaccinations.

HPV vaccination requires a series of three injections, to be completed within a six-month period: the second injection will be received two months following the first dose, and the last one is to be administered six months after the initial injection.

The cost of the HPV vaccine is approximately $120 per dose, for a total of $360 for the complete vaccination. In addition, Gardasil is covered by some health insurance plans.

Gardasil Side Effects
It is important to understand that this cervical cancer vaccine does not guarantee to prevent cervical cancer, particularly if the cancer develops as a result of other factors. Regular cervical cancer screening and Pap tests are still necessary to ensure sexual health.

Like all vaccines, Gardasil is associated with some side effects. However, studies have only found mild symptoms associated with an HPV vaccination. Gardasil side effects may include the following:

• mild soreness at the site of injection
• redness, itching or swelling at injection site
• mild or moderate fever
• allergic reactions; if these are severe, they will appear within several hours after injection and will require prompt medical attention

Gardasil is not recommended for the use of pregnant women. Speak to your health care provider about other potential risk factors before receiving the HPV vaccine.

The Future of the HPV Vaccine
Currently, the recommendations for the use of HPV vaccines are based on extensive studies following its effects on young women between the ages of 9 and 26. As such, this represents the recommended group who should receive the HPV vaccination. Because Gardasil has only recently come into widespread use, its long-term effectiveness has not yet been determined. However, Gardasil is known to remain effective for at least five years.

Another HPV vaccine aside from Gardasil is currently in clinical trials and may be available in the near future. In addition, current studies are looking at the effects of the HPV vaccine in preventing disease in males.

Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea

Also known as "the clap", gonorrhea is a fairly common sexually transmitted disease. While anyone can become infected with gonorrhea, people between the ages of 15 and 29 are responsible for 75% of the reported cases. Women between the ages of 15 and 19 and men between the ages of 20 and 24 are the most at risk of becoming infected with gonorrhea.

Type of Infection: Bacterial; from the Neisseria gonorrheae bacteria

Mode of Transmission: Mainly through vaginal, anal and oral sex. Bacteria are transmitted through vaginal and seminal fluids. Infection can show up in the genital tract, mouth or rectum.

Symptoms: Once infected, symptoms of gonorrhea can take between two and ten days to show up. In women, the cervix is usually the first site of infection. From there, the infection moves up into the uterus and into the fallopian tubes. Women are much more likely than men to be asymptomatic. If they do develop symptoms, they are likely to include: bleeding after sex, pain or burning sensation when urinating, need to urinate more frequently, vaginal discharge that is yellow or bloody, cramps, bleeding between periods, nausea or vomiting and fever. In men, gonorrhea symptoms include a puss discharge from the penis (white, yellow or green in color) accompanied by pain, burning sensation when urinating and swollen testicles. If the infection is in the rectum, symptoms will include discharge, anal itching and painful bowel movements. It is also likely that your feces will have blood in them.

Treatment: Gonorrhea treatment usually consists of a single dose of medication. Depending on your age and whether or not you are pregnant, some antibiotics may not be suitable to take. Because it is very common for people to be infected with both gonorrhea and chlamydia at the same time, gonorrhea treatments often include medication for chlamydia as well. While the treatment can clear up the infection, it cannot undo any damage gonorrhea may have done to your reproductive system prior to treatment.

Complications: If left untreated, gonorrhea can lead to infertility in both men and women. In women, untreated gonorrhea often leads to pelvic inflammatory disease, which increases your risk of ectopic pregnancy and infertility. In men, gonorrhea that is not treated often leads to inflammation of the testicles (epididymitis), which can lead to infertility. The infection can also spread to the rest of the body and cause joint inflammation as well as infect the heart valves and/or the brain.

Consequences in Infants: Women who are pregnant and infected with gonorrhea are at a higher risk of having a miscarriage or going into preterm labor. If you are infected with gonorrhea at the time of birth, it is possible to pass the infection onto your baby during birth. It can lead to blindness, pneumonia, meningitis and septic arthritis in the infant. Many babies receive silver nitrate eye drops or some other type of medicated eye drops immediately after birth in order to prevent a gonorrhea infection. In older children, gonorrhea found in the genital tract, mouth or rectum often suggests that the child is being sexually abused.

Risk Factors: People who do not use condoms during vaginal, anal or oral sex; who have multiple sex partners, or whose partners have multiple sex partners; have a history of sexually transmitted diseases; and those under the age of 30 have an increased risk of being infected with gonorrhea.

Prevention: Practicing abstinence or having sex within a committed, monogamous relationship with someone who has tested free from gonorrhea are the most effective ways at preventing infection. Using latex condoms consistently and correctly every time you have sex can also help to reduce your risk. It is important to remember that you can be re-infected with gonorrhea. If you have previously been infected with gonorrhea, it is important to take precautionary measures in order to avoid a subsequent infection. Women who are pregnant should be tested for gonorrhea at least once during their pregnancy.

Research: Current research is looking into developing new and more effective means of diagnosing and treating gonorrhea as well as creating a vaccine for the infection. Because certain strains of gonorrhea are becoming increasingly resistant to the usual medications, new ways of dealing with the infection need to be created.

Human Papilloma Virus Treatment

Diagnosing and Treating Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)

Because Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) often does not cause genital warts symptoms, or even any symptoms at all, many people may be infected with the HPV virus and not know it. Although your body will usually be able to successfully fight off the virus on its own, when it doesn’t, you are at a greater risk of developing cervical cancer. If you do develop genital warts from HPV, there are a number of genital warts treatments available, so explore your options.

Diagnosing Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and Genital Warts
If your HPV infection has caused you to develop genital warts, then it is likely that your doctor will be able to diagnose you simply by examining the warts. Since it is possible for some warts to be so small that they are not visible to the naked eye, your doctor may swab the area with acetic acid (white vinegar). This will turn any invisible warts white, thereby allowing your doctor to know just how much area is infected and where she will need to treat you.

HPV in men is not nearly as problematic as it is for women. Although men infected with the HPV virus may develop cancer of the penis or anus, this occurs very rarely. In women, though, the HPV virus can lead to cervical cancer. In fact, almost all women who develop cervical cancer have HPV. However, just because you have HPV does not necessarily mean you will develop cervical cancer.

Testing for Cervical Cancer
Those strains of HPV associated with cervical cancer generally produce no HPV symptoms. Regular Pap tests, along with an HPV test for women over 30, can help detect the presence of any abnormal cervical cells allowing you to take action before it’s too late.

During a Pap test, a sample of cervical cells are taken and then examined in a lab under a microscope. Results of a Pap smear are classified either as normal, abnormal (meaning that there have been some changes in your cervical cells which require further investigation), or borderline or inconclusive (these are cells that are not normal but are not necessarily abnormal either).

Women who are over 30 or who receive a borderline or inconclusive result on their Pap smear may also have an HPV test done. This test can be done on the same sample of cervical cells used in the Pap smear or on a second sample of cervical cells. Unlike a Pap test, which involves a visual diagnosis of the cells, an HPV test actually looks for the presence of HPV DNA in your cervical cells. Depending on the results of your tests, you may need further assessment or, possibly, treatment for cervical cancer.

Testing for HPV in men is usually not done. This is because men are much more likely to be asymptomatic and therefore not aware of the virus. Additionally, the skin on the head of the penis tends to be too thick to obtain a proper cell sample.

Genital Warts Treatment
There is no HPV treatment or cure for the virus. There is also no cure for genital warts. However, genital warts can be treated, either at home or at a doctor’s office.

The first course of action for many people with genital warts is topical medications. This type of treatment comes in either a gel or cream form and usually works by attacking and breaking down the wart tissue. Podophyllin is a particularly strong topical medication that needs to be applied at the doctor’s office. However, this is an older type of treatment and is not as widely used nowadays.

For those looking for some genital warts home treatment, you can ask your doctor to prescribe either podofilox (Condylox) or imiquimod (Aldara). Both of these topical medications you can apply yourself at home. However, if you are pregnant, it is not recommended that you use either podophyllin or podofilox as both can be absorbed by your skin and possibly cause birth defects in your child. Additionally, Aldara is designed to be used only on external genital warts.

It is also important to note that there is a difference between genital warts and regular warts. The strains of HPV that cause genital warts are different from those strains that cause warts on other parts of your body. Moreover, genital warts appear on areas of your body that are much more sensitive. Therefore, you should never use regular, over-the-counter wart treatments for genital warts.

How to Remove Genital Warts
Although topical medications are fairly simple and painless to use, they do require regular daily applications for a number of weeks. If you prefer to have your genital warts removed quickly, then you have a few options.

For small genital warts, your doctor can remove them through:

• Cryosurgery (freezing them off)
• Electrocautery (burning them off
• Trichloracetic Acid (TCA)

All of these genital wart removal treatments can be done in your doctor’s office.

Genital warts that are especially large and hard to remove may need to be surgically removed through laser surgery. This type of treatment, though, will require you to go to a trained specialist. Additionally, laser surgery tends to be the most expensive treatment for genital warts.

Even if you have received genital warts treatment for your warts, it is still entirely possible for them to return, facilitating the need for repeat treatment.

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Symptoms

Symptoms of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)

The human papilloma virus (HPV) is an extremely common infection among the general population. The HPV virus is believed to affect an estimated 80% of the population. There are about 100 known strains of HPV; 30 of these are considered to be sexually transmitted diseases since the only way a person can be infected with one of these strains is through vaginal, anal or oral sex. While some sexually transmitted strains of HPV are the cause of genital warts, others are classified as "high-risk" and are thought to significantly increase a woman’s risk of cervical cancer.

HPV Symptoms
More often than not, people infected with HPV are not even aware of it. This is because the virus often does not cause any symptoms. Although HPV infects women and men equally, men are much more likely than women to be asymptomatic. However, even without any symptoms of HPV, you are still very contagious and can infect your partner.

Symptoms for Genital Warts
If you are infected with a strain of HPV that causes genital warts, you may develop symptoms of genital warts anywhere from a few weeks to a few months after exposure. In some cases, though, the virus may lay dormant in your system for a few years before you develop any genital warts symptoms.

Genital warts are often said to look like little cauliflower florets. They are usually white or flesh-colored, may either lay flat or be raised, appear by themselves or in clusters, and can be found in or around the vagina or anus or on the vulva or penis. Generally, the warts themselves are not painful but they can interfere with normal bodily functions, such as urinating and bowel movements, making these actions painful and uncomfortable.

Genital warts spread very easily and are very contagious. If you have an active outbreak of genital warts, it is best to refrain from all types of sexual contact until the warts have been treated.

HPV and Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer is the second most common type of cancer to affect women. Infection with HPV has been found to be the leading cause of cervical cancer. However, not all strains of the HPV virus are associated with cervical cancer. Those that lead to genital warts are rarely linked with this type of cancer.

Unfortunately, those strains that are known to cause cervical cancer often do not cause any symptoms. Although your immune system will try to fight the virus, and for many people this is sufficient to get rid of the virus without doing any harm, the longer the virus stays in your system, the greater your risk of developing cervical cancer is.

Although women over the age of 30 have an increased risk of developing cervical cancer, it is recommended that all women regularly receive a Pap smear every year once they become sexually active or by the time they are 18, whichever comes first. A Pap smear will help detect any abnormal cells in your cervix; the sooner these abnormalities are caught, the sooner you can take action and possibly prevent cervical cancer.

Some other signs to watch out for when it comes to cervical cancer include:

• Abnormal vaginal bleeding (particularly after sex)
• Pain in the lower back
• Pain while urinating
• Pain during sex

Although these symptoms are not exclusive to cervical cancer, they should be investigated by a health care professional if you experience them.

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)

The human papilloma virus (HPV) is a very common infection among the general public. More than 100 different types of HPV exist and it is estimated that as much as 80% of the population is infected with a strain of HPV at some point in their life. About 30 different strains of HPV are considered to be sexually transmitted diseases(STDs) and are spread through sexual contact. Some of these strains cause genital warts.

Type:Viral

Transmitted: HPV virus’ that are STDs are spread through vaginal, anal and oral sex

Symptoms: Depending on what type of HPV strain you are infected with, you may or may not experience any HPV symptoms. Those infected with what is known as "low risk" HPV will likely just have one HPV symptom: genital warts. These can develop anywhere from a few weeks to a few months after exposure to the virus. Genital warts look like miniature cauliflower florets, which are usually flesh-colored, soft and moist. They can develop on the vulva, cervix and in or around the vagina. HPV in men who have a strain that causes genital warts may develop the warts on the scrotum or penis. Both sexes may also develop genital warts symptoms in or around the anus and occasionally on the thighs, buttocks or throat. However, it is possible to have an HPV infection without any genital warts symptoms.

Treatment: There is no cure for HPV as well as no HPV treatment. Many people who are infected with HPV likely do not realize it. However, often your body can fight off the virus on its own. It is thought that, once you are infected with one strain of HPV, your body becomes immune to it. It is entirely possible, though, to be infected with more than one strain. Those that develop genital warts will need or want genital warts treatment. This can be done through medication or by burning the warts off.

Complications: Generally, those infected with HPV, especially low-risk HPV, will experience no complications aside from the possibility of genital warts, which can recur. However, those infected with an HPV strain that is considered to be "high-risk" are at a significantly increased risk of developing cervical cancer or some other type of cancer including vulvar cancer, anal cancer, or cancer of the penis. High-risk strains of HPV are responsible for almost all cases of cervical cancer.

Consequences in Infants: Women who have genital warts during pregnancy may notice that their warts grow quicker and larger during their pregnancy. Having an outbreak during your pregnancy, and especially when you deliver, can cause problems. It is possible to pass the warts on to your child during a vaginal birth, which then develops in the throat (known as laryngeal papillomatosis). This can be life threatening to your child.

Risk Factors: Women and men are equally at risk of catching HPV although men have a slightly lower chance of actually developing genital warts. Individuals in their early 20’s tend to be the most at risk of contracting the virus. However, because HPV is so common, you do not need to have a lot of sexual partner’s to come into contact with the virus.

Prevention: Completely abstaining from sex or being in a mutually monogamous relationship with someone who has tested free of the virus are the best ways to avoid genital warts. Using condoms consistently and properly every time you have sex may reduce your risk of contracting the virus but there is evidence to suggest that condoms are not very reliable at offering protection against the virus. Additionally, condoms cannot provide any protection if you come into direct contact with genital warts. If you or your partner are having an outbreak of genital warts, it is best to avoid all sexual contact until the warts have completely disappeared.

Research: Current research is focusing on developing two different types of HPV vaccines. The first vaccine would help protect against being infected as well as the associated development of warts. The second HPV vaccine aims to treat cervical cancer.

Testing and Treatment for Chlamydia

Testing and Treatment for Chlamydia

Chlamydia is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases affecting more than 3 million people in the United States every year. Symptoms of chlamydia often go unnoticed or fail to appear at all, giving chlamydia the nickname "The Silent Disease." Chlamydia is easily treatable with a course of antibiotics but prolonged infection can cause serious damage to the reproductive organs in both men and women. If you have any chlamydia symptoms, or think you may have been infected with the disease, it is important to get tested as soon as possible.

Diagnosis and Testing
A few simple tests is all that is needed to diagnose a chlamydia infection. Your doctor will probably need to do a physical exam and will also ask you a few questions about your symptoms as well as safe sex practices. In women, chlamydia is best detected through a cervical swab.

This procedure is very similar to a pap smear. A speculum will be inserted into your vagina. This is a plastic instrument that helps to hold your vagina open. A cotton swab is then inserted into the speculum and brushed around the cervix. This sample is sent to the lab for testing.

If you are a man, your doctor may take a swab of your urethra in order to obtain a sample for testing. Urine tests are now available to diagnose chlamydia. These are especially effective in diagnosing chlamydia in men. However, urine testing is more expensive and is not available at all health clinics. Samples taken by your doctor will be sent for testing at a laboratory.

A variety of tests can be performed, but all aim to detect the bacteria that cause chlamydia, called Chalmydia trachomatis. The most common tests look for antigens that the bacteria produce in your body. A culture test may also be performed. This test fosters the growth of chlamydia bacteria in a dish so that it can be analyzed under a microscope. The type of test you receive will depend on your doctor. Results are usually available within a week.

Treatment
If you are diagnosed with chlamydia, you can easily be treated with antibiotics. Because many people with chlamydia also have gonorrhea, you may be prescribed a medication that can treat both STDs. The most commonly prescribed medication is azithromycin or doxycylcine, either in a single dose, or over the course of 1 week. An alternate drug may be prescribed if you are pregnant or under the age of 18.

More than 95% of people treated for chlamydia will recover completely. However, these drugs cannot reverse any damage that the infection may have done to your body before treatment. If you have any signs of chlamydia, or if you have multiple sex partners, it is a good idea to get tested as soon as possible. Chlamydia is linked with pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and ectopic pregnancies in women, and sterility in men.

Because chlamydia transmission is easy, you must get your partner tested for the infection as well. It is important to abstain from sex during treatment, even if you are exhibiting no chlamydia symptoms. It is also important to complete your course of medication completely in order to recover from the infection.

Follow Up
If symptoms of chlamydia persist, return to your doctor for further testing or treatment. If your chlamydia symptoms have disappeared and you have completed your medication, there is no need to return to your doctor. Ensure that all of your sexual partners have been treated before resuming intercourse. Be sure to use a condom and practice safer sex with all partners. It may be a good idea to return to your doctor for chlamydia testing every year, as it is possible to be reinfected with the disease even after treatment.