Top Health Tips on Prevention from STD

HPV - How It Affects You? + How It Can Be Treated?

DGO , MBBS
Gynaecologist, Pune
HPV - How It Affects You? + How It Can Be Treated?
The Human Papillomavirus or HPV is a large group of about 170 related viruses, each of which is given a number also called its type. This dangerous virus serves as one of the most commonly occurring cancer. The pre-cancerous lesions increase the risk of cancer of the cervix, vulva, vagina, penis, anus, mouth or throat. Out of the 170 viruses, about 40 of them are transmitted through sexual contact and are responsible for developing pre-cancerous conditions.

What are the symptoms and how do you detect them?
HPV infection is transmitted through sexual contact. Usually, when you have vaginal, anal and oral sex with someone carrying the HPV virus, you are bound to be affected by it. Genital areas provide the virus with a much suitable environment for them to survive. As it is a sexually transmitted infection, people with more active sex life (with multiple partners) are at a risk of being infected with this virus.

Depending upon the type of infected virus, symptoms vary from person to person and some don't seem to experience any symptoms. General warts and genital warts are the most commonly seen symptoms. If one experiences genital warts, they surely have HPV. Not all genital warts look the same. Some just look like raised or flat pink, flesh like, whereas some seem to have a cauliflower like an outgrowth. There may be one wart to several numbers of them. Some are bigger, and some are insignificantly small.

These symptoms may take up weeks to appear after you have sexual contact with any infected one. If these symptoms start appearing it might happen that the cells of those areas have already begun developing pre-cancerous stages.

How to avoid such infections and what to do if I start observing such symptoms?
There is not much to do, to eradicate any case of HPV infection. As it strikes the most sexually active ones, keep a healthy check on your sex-life. Make sure the ones whom you have intercourse with are not infected already. But as this is not possible every time, maintain a proper intimate hygiene. Keep your private areas clean, and besides that, you may opt for a periodic check-up of your intimate areas to make sure you don't get infected.

But if you have already started observing such symptoms, better not be late to pay a visit to your doctor as soon as possible. If caught at an early stage such infections are easily curable as it is one of the most commons ones. Although there is no HPV test for men in the healthcare sectors, for women HPV tests are available which are not to be confused with Pap smear tests. Your doctor may carry out a lab test to detect the virus.

What are the treatments?

Most of the HPV infections get destroyed over time, but if that is not the case, your doctor may use methods like cryotherapy, conization, laser therapy and loop electrosurgical excision procedure, which are to cure you easily.
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Chlamydia: Symptoms That Indicate You Are Infected!

B.A.M.S., M.D.(A.M), EX-M.R.C.G.P., EX-M.R.S.H., EX-M.S.I.E.C.U.S, EX-M.S.S.S.S.
Sexologist, Mumbai
Chlamydia: Symptoms That Indicate You Are Infected!
Did you know that Chlamydia is one of the most frequently occurring sexually transmitted bacterial infections across the world? Also, this disease is likely to spread fast since it doesn t have severe symptoms which can easily pass on to others. The disease can be quite tricky as there are no initial signs or symptoms that a person experiences in the early stages. The chlamydia bacterium infects the cervix and leads symptoms as noted below.

Chlamydia Symptoms In Men:
In about 50 percent of men, chlamydia doesn t lead to any symptoms. But in some cases, it causes an abnormal penile discharge resembling yellow-white and milk-like. It causes pain while urinating, rectal pain along with bleeding and eye inflammation. The least common symptoms of chlamydia are itchiness and burning sensation around the opening of the penis, pain in the testicles and sore throat. Sometimes, chlamydia symptoms cause pain and discharge from the anal cavity.

Chlamydia Symptoms In Women:
In about 75 percent of women affected with the disease, chlamydia leads to no signs. However, in some cases, it may cause abnormal vaginal discharge which may also have an odour, pain while urinating, eye inflammation, rectal pain and unexplained bleeding. In some rare cases, it causes bleeding in between menstrual cycles, pain in the lower belly and back portion, sore throat and pain while having intercourse. Chlamydia can also infect the eyes in the case of both sexes leading to redness, itchiness, and inflammation. Regardless of which part of the body is affected by the disease, the symptoms usually show up in the morning.

For all these reasons, men and women who are sexually active should go for chlamydia testing once in every year. Also, it is advised to seek medical attention when you are affected by chlamydia infection to fend off risk and complications since it can cause different sorts of severe consequences including ectopic pregnancy and infertility in women. Untreated chlamydia can infect a man and cause an infection of the epididymitis, non-gonococcal urethritis and epididymis.

How to understand whether you are infected with the disease?
It is not possible to be precise about whether you have a chlamydia infection. This is because the signs and symptoms are not quite apparent. But the symptoms after a week become quite noticeable. There are several tests available to test whether you have been affected by the infection and in most cases, the pathologist takes a swab sample from the urethra in men and cervix in women to be eventually tested in the laboratory.

Your doctor may also recommend you undergoing a urine test to check for the presence of chlamydia bacteria. In case you or your partner has been affected by the disease, it is essential to talk to a doctor without any delay.
5433 people found this helpful

Chlamydia - Know Treatment For It!

MBBS, MD - Internal Medicine
Sexologist, Delhi
Chlamydia - Know Treatment For It!
Chlamydia is a type of STI. STIs are sexually transmitted infections or diseases. It is extremely common due to the ease with which it spreads. Also, the fact that there are often no symptoms associated with chlamydia makes it even harder to diagnose and deal with. As many as 75% of infections in women and 50% of infections in men have no symptoms associated with the chlamydia whatsoever. However, there may be a few observable symptoms such as:

Symptoms in men

1. There is a little discharge from the penis which tends to be clear or cloudy
2. Urination becomes painful
3. The opening of the penis begins to burn and itch
4. Your testicles begin to swell and pain

Symptoms in women

1. Similar to men, women have a discharge from the vagina which has a bad odor
2. Between periods, bleeding may occur
3. Periods become painful
4. Fever and abnormal pain
5. Sex becomes painful
6. Similar to men, urinating becomes painful
7. Around the vagina, there is an itching or burning sensation

Treatment for chlamydia

There are several steps taken for the treatment of chlamydia. The steps are as follows:

1. Antibiotic prescription
The first step is the prescription of antibiotics to the person with the infection. These antibiotics tend to be oral in nature. Usually, azithromycin or doxycycline is prescribed.

2. Checking and treating the partner of the patient
Once the doctor has diagnosed chlamydia, he will immediately check your partner to make sure that he or she is not infected and if he or she is then the doctor will treat your partner as well.

3. Treatment for severe infections
This infection mostly occurs in women. The treatments given to women with severe infections include intravenous antibiotics, pain medicine and hospitalization.

4. Follow up visits
These are usually scheduled three months later to make sure that there is no re-infection or further complication related to sexual infections.
5424 people found this helpful

Warts - How Can You Treat Them With Homeopathy?

BHMS
Homeopathy Doctor, Delhi
Warts - How Can You Treat Them With Homeopathy?
Warts show up in all shapes and sizes. Caused by the human Papilloma virus (HPV), they are exceedingly contagious and while they can show up in anybody of all ages, they will probably trouble children and teenagers.

About all warts are harmless however once they appear on conspicuous places such as the face or hands, most individuals will do almost anything to dispose of them.

Contemplating Warts-

Warts are frequently seen as simply a minor nuisance to expel the wart is to evacuate the issue. Yet, is this totally genuine? No, say homeopaths.

Their presence on top of the skin warns of a more profound weakness or susceptibility that allows them to proceed and flourish. While expelling the wart creates a sans blemish skin, it does nothing to right this fundamental weakness the person is still defenseless against future medical issues.

Homeopathic Remedies For Warts-

At the point when using homeopathy for warts, great results are accomplished when the cure corresponds to the characteristics of the person as well as the shape and appearance of the wart.

On account of that, three remedies are prescribed more regularly than whatever other Antimonium crudum (Ant-c.), Nitricum acidum (Nit-air conditioning.) and Thuja occidentalis (Thuj.) (under strict supervision of the experts). Perused on for the descriptions of these three and other regular wart remedies.

Antimonium crudum (Ant-c.) (under strict supervision of the experts): Hard, smooth warts that frequently show up in groups. Crabbiness and a thickly covered white tongue also suggest the requirement for this cure. The person may also gorge and have various complaints regarding the digestion problem.
Calcarea carbonica (Calc.) (under strict supervision of the experts): Round, hard, solitary warts. Frequently useful for endophytic warts that have a horny divider surrounding a focal depression. Shown in individuals with sticky hands and feet who incline toward routine and the well known as opposed to change and the obscure.
At long last, a Warning About Warts

Some skin cancers such as squalors cell carcinomas appear to be similar to warts so it is critical to get a firm diagnosis if there is any uncertainty.

In case genital warts are present it is also imperative for ladies to have a PAP smear to watch that pre-cancerous changes have not occurred on the cervix.
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Chlamydia - Things You Must Know About It!

MBBS, DIiploma in Yoga and Ayurveda, Diploma In Dermatology And Venerology And Leprosy (DDVL), PGDPC
Sexologist, Pune
Chlamydia - Things You Must Know About It!
Chlamydia is a Sexually Transmitted Disease. It is generally found in men and women under the age of 25. Researchers have found that in the United States about 2.9 million individuals develop this disease every year.

Here are things that you must know about the disease:

What is it all about?
It is caused due to bacterial infection and is transferred sexually. You can be infected with disease by having vaginal, oral or anal sex with the patient. You must be aware of the fact that you can develop chlamydia even if your partner doesn t ejaculate inside your vaginal tract. If you had suffered from this disease in the past, you can still get it again by having unprotected sex with an infected person.

What are the symptoms of this disease?
There aren t any obvious symptoms for this disease. Most of the patients show no sign of developing this disease. Thus, you never get to know when you were infected actually. However, some patients do reflect some symptoms after 4 to 5 days of infection. These symptoms include abnormal penis or vaginal discharge and painful, burning urination. Men can also develop a bleeding rectum.

How do you know for sure that you are infected?
Well, you can get yourself tested to confirm about the infection.

What happens if you don t get treated?
If the patient doesn t seek medical help, he or she is posing threat to his or her health. Women may develop pelvic inflammatory diseases, infertility or ectopic pregnancy. In men, it can cause pain and fever as the infection spreads along the tube carrying sperm.

Is there any treatment?
This disease is curable. But it is important to avoid sexual contact with anyone during the period of treatment or medication. First, you need to undertake the test to confirm the infection. You shouldn t have sex for seven days after the treatment is over. It is advisable to get yourself tested thrice in a year.
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Chlamydia - Symptoms And Treatment

MD - Physician
Sexologist, Coimbatore
Chlamydia - Symptoms And Treatment
As many as 75% of infections in women and 50% of infections in men have no symptoms associated with the Chlamydia whatsoever. Chlamydia is a type of STI. STIs are sexually transmitted infections or diseases. It is extremely common due to the ease with which it spreads. Also, the fact that there are often no symptoms associated with Chlamydia makes it even harder to diagnose and deal with. However, there may be a few observable symptoms such as:

Symptoms in men:

1. There is a little discharge from the penis which tends to be clear or cloudy
2. Urination becomes painful
3. The opening of the penis begins to burn and itch
4. Your testicles begin to swell and pain

Symptoms in women:

1. Similar to men, women have a discharge from the vagina, which has a bad odor
2. Between periods, bleeding may occur
3. Periods become painful
4. Fever and abnormal pain
5. Sex becomes painful
6. Similar to men, urinating becomes painful
7. Around the vagina, there is an itching or burning sensation

Treatment for Chlamydia:

The following steps are taken for the treatment of Chlamydia:

Antibiotic prescription: The first step is prescribing antibiotics to the person suffering from the infection. These antibiotics tend to be oral, in nature. Usually, azithromycin or doxycycline is prescribed.
Checking and treating the partner of the patient: Once the doctor has diagnosed Chlamydia, he will immediately check your partner to make sure that he or she is not infected and if he or she is then the doctor will treat your partner as well.
Treatment for severe infections: This infection mostly occurs in women. The treatment given to women with severe infections includes intravenous antibiotics, pain medicine and hospitalization.
Follow up visits: These are usually scheduled three months later to make sure that there is no reinfection or further complication related to sexual infections.
5072 people found this helpful

Learn the Signs and Symptoms of STDs

Graduate in Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery ( GAMS )
Sexologist, Delhi
Learn the Signs and Symptoms of STDs
With changing times the nature and effects of virus and bacteria are also changing and due to this, one of the biggest risks of unprotected sex is catching a sexually transmitted disease or STD. An STD can be contacted by any form of intercourse including oral, vaginal and anal sex. STDs are serious diseases that should not be ignored and require treatment and medication. Some common STDs are:
1. Chlamydia
2. Hepatitis B
3. Genital Herpes
4. Syphilis and
5. Gonorrhea

The only way to protect yourself from an STD is to abstain from unprotected sex and always use a condom. Sometimes STD infections have no symptoms and can remain dormant for years, hence it is essential to get yourself regularly treated for STDs if you have more than one sexual partner. On the other hand some STDs have visible symptoms such as:

Skin rash
A rash in the genital area is most often a sign of STDs. This can be in the form of bumps, sores or warts. It may or may not be accompanied by itchiness. A rash caused by a STD usually results in redness and inflammation. Herpes sores may subside within a week or so but just because the rash is gone does not mean the infection has been treated. Hence even if the rash disappears before your doctor's visit, ensure you mention it.

Painful urination
A burning sensation or pain while urinating is a symptom for a number of STDs. There may also be a change in the colour of urine. Some STDs associated with painful urination as Chlamydia, gonorrhea and trichomoniasis. However, this may also be triggered by kidney stones or a urinary tract infection.

Painful intercourse
Pain during intercourse is one of the most overlooked symptoms of a sexually transmitted disease. While a little pain may be normal, any sudden increase in pain or new type of pain should not be ignored. This should be kept in mind especially when having intercourse with a new partner or if there is a change in sexual habits. When it comes to men's sexual health, pain at the time of ejaculation can be a symptom of a STD.

Abnormal discharge
Abnormal discharge from the vagina or penis can be a symptom of a number of infections not all of which are STDs. Strangely coloured and odorous vaginal discharge can be a symptom of yeast infections or a Sexually transmitted disease like trichomoniasis or gonorrhea. Bleeding in between periods can also be a symptom of a STD. Abnormal discharge from the penis can be a sign of Chlamydia, gonorrhea or trichomoniasis.
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Reasons Behind Chlamydia In Women

MBBS, MD - Obstetrics & Gynaecology, DNB - Obstetrics and Gynecology
Gynaecologist, Mumbai
Reasons Behind Chlamydia In Women
Chlamydia is one of the more common STDs among both the genders. It spreads through physical intimate contact; it can develop irrespective of one s age, however, is most commonly observed among young women. In women, the symptoms include yellow or green colored odorous vaginal discharge, painful urination and a burning sensation or itching around the vagina, lower abdominal ache, painful menstruation or bleeding during sexual intercourse. Now if the infection reaches up to the fallopian tubes, it causes a disease known as Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). In case of unprotected oral sex, the bacteria causing this disorder, Chlamydia Trachomatis might infect the throat as well.

Reasons Behind Chlamydia in Women:

Being a sexually transmitted disease, Chlamydia gets passed on from one person to another through unprotected sex or through the contact with the genitals of an infected person.

In some cases, infants are likely to inherit the disease from their mothers during birth, if she is already affected with it. Hence pre-natal checkups are essential for detection.

Although very rare, this infection can affect the eyes as well via oral or genital contact.

How To Treat Chlamydia?

The infection can be resolved within a couple of weeks with the use of antibiotics. Once it is diagnosed, the treatment course should start immediately. The widely used antibiotics for curing chlamydia are azithromycin and doxycycline. If you are breastfeeding or pregnant or suffering from any allergy, your doctor might prescribe erythromycin or amoxicillin. For severe complications, a longer course is administered. The treatment may induce mild side-effects in the form of vaginal thrush, sickness, diarrhea and tummy pain.

Try and avoid any sort of sexual activity (intercourse or other activities) till the treatment is completely done and none of you show any other sign of the infection.
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HIV - How Can Ayurveda Avert It?

BAMS, M.A. in Astrology
Sexologist, Ranchi
HIV - How Can Ayurveda Avert It?
According to the tenets of Ayurveda, HIV is primarily a disease involving low immunity which is considered the most vital sap of the body. Immunity is in charge of providing both mental and physical strengths required to cope up with the foreign bodies that cause unwanted changes in the human body. When the immune system gets disrupted, the individual becomes susceptible to a host of infections and disorders. There are incessant numbers of bacteria and viruses in the environment, and some of them are highly contagious which can easily cause an infection.

Ayurveda has numerous highly effective therapies to combat HIV exposure. There is a sector of Ayurveda specifically dedicated to boosting immunity and vitality in the body with the help of herbs, minerals, and practice of Ayurvedic techniques. The treatment first aims to detoxify the body and strengthen the immune system which improves the immune system with the help of certain "rasayanic" techniques.

How is HIV exposure treated through Ayurveda?
The first step of HIV exposure treatment through Ayurveda is having nourishing food and leading a positive life supported by well-meaning friends and relatives. The patient can also take part in some physical exercises which don't cause any strain to the fragile health condition. Engaging in comfortable yet fruitful activities can help in strengthening good tendencies and stimulating appetite as well.

Then the patient will have to take some Ayurvedic tonics along with rejuvenators that can boost immunity levels and eliminate the toxins from the body. This is particularly done through emesis, purgation, and enemas. The medications which are given at this stage are neither drastic nor very harsh for the body so that they can be digested without any difficulty.

In the third stage of treatment, appropriate medications will help in purifying the blood, and this is where the role of liver corrective measures come to the fore. The patient has to take preparations with medicated ghee and soups that can alleviate the signs and symptoms of HIV exposure. There is no scope of consuming spicy and oily junk foods as they can take a toll on the patient s liver. Medicated alcohol may have to be used to aid in the digestive procedure and removal of blockages in the flow of energy.

Participating in physical activities on a daily basis is important. In case the patient is too weak to exercise or even run, then steaming can be helpful. This is very crucial since it is believed in Ayurveda that heated blood can weaken and sometimes destroy the virus involved in HIV.

There are some herbal cum mineral compounds which are helpful for subsiding the conditions of HIV exposure. It is important to consult with an expert who can evaluate your condition and help in healing the signs and symptoms that you are suffering from.
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Chlamydia - 7 Symptoms In Females

MBBS, MD - Psychiatry, D.P.M - Sex-Psychotherapy
Sexologist, Surat
Chlamydia - 7 Symptoms In Females
Chlamydia is a type of STI. STIs are sexually transmitted infections or diseases. It is extremely common due to the ease with which it spreads. Also, the fact that there are often no symptoms associated with chlamydia makes it even harder to diagnose and deal with. As many as 75% of infections in women and 50% of infections in men have no symptoms associated with the chlamydia whatsoever. However, there may be a few observable symptoms such as:
Symptoms in men
1. There is a little discharge from the penis which tends to be clear or cloudy
2. Urination becomes painful
3. The opening of the penis begins to burn and itch
4. Your testicles begin to swell and pain
Symptoms in women
1. Similar to men, women have a discharge from the vagina which has a bad odor
2. Between periods, bleeding may occur
3. Periods become painful
4. Fever and abnormal pain
5. Sex becomes painful
6. Similar to men, urinating becomes painful
7. Around the vagina, there is an itching or burning sensation
Treatment for chlamydia
There are several steps taken for the treatment of chlamydia. The steps are as follows:
1. Antibiotic prescription
The first step is the prescription of antibiotics to the person with the infection. These antibiotics tend to be oral in nature. Usually, azithromycin or doxycycline is prescribed.
2. Checking and treating the partner of the patient
Once the doctor has diagnosed chlamydia, he will immediately check your partner to make sure that he or she is not infected and if he or she is then the doctor will treat your partner as well.
3. Treatment for severe infections
This infection mostly occurs in women. The treatments given to women with severe infections include intravenous antibiotics, pain medicine and hospitalization.
4. Follow up visits
These are usually scheduled three months later to make sure that there is no re-infection or further complication related to sexual infections.
4581 people found this helpful