STD Testing Info

Undergoing an HIV test can be quite an overwhelming experience for many people. Owing to the social stigma associated with this disease, undergoing a test is an emotionally disturbing experience. Depending on their mental strengths and confidence levels, people can experience a wide range of emotions such as depression, frustration, fear, anger, hopelessness, despair, panic or even plain denial to accept the truth about their status.

Therefore, just before the test is conducted, the person must be given psychological counseling, also referred to as ‘Pre-Test Counseling’ to strengthen him or her from within and enable him or her to face the test with full confidence, irrespective of what the result may be.

The pre-test counseling is very important to control the emotional trauma and the fear of the impending dangers and consequences associated with the positive result of a test.

If the person is found to be HIV negative, then the person can be sent away after advising him some prevention measures for the future. However, if the person is found to be HIV positive, then the person should be told about this only after another round of psychological counseling, referred to as ‘Post-Test Counseling’.

The objective of post-test counseling is to ease the worry and tension in the patient’s mind and to support him or her emotionally when their status is disclosed to them. The counseling is necessary to prevent suicidal tendency in the patient and to keep his emotions in control. The counselor should project the situation in a positive light and emphasize that it is actually good that the patient has learnt about his or her positive status early because this will make treatment easier and enable him or her to handle the future complications associated with this disease better. The counselor should also help the individual regain his confidence, infuse a determination to live his remaining life better.

Trichamoniasis, also known as “Trich” is a common sexually transmitted disease (STD) that affects about 7.4 million men and women in America each year. This STD is caused by a parasite called Trichamonas vaginalis. Trich is most commonly found in women and uncircumcised men. Trich is the most common curable STD in sexually active men and women to this date. Trichamoniasis is primarily an infection of the reproductive organs and the urinary system (a.k.a. genitourinary system.) In men, the most common site of infection would be the urethra; the urinary tract. In women, the most common site of infection would be the vagina. In uncircumcised men, the most common site would be the tip of the penis.

Trich is one of the most common STD’s caused by a parasite Trichamonas vaginalis. This parasite can live in the urinary and reproductive system of males and females. Trich is spread sexually by penis-to-vagina intercourse or vulva-to-vulva contact with an infected partner, especially if not using any form of protection. It is more common for females to get the disease from an infected male or female than it is for a male to get it from an infected female/male. Some people try to say that it is possible to get Trich from a toilet seat, wet towel or event hot tubs. Let me just say this now…that is not true. The Trichamoniasis parasite cannot live long enough on inanimate objects and surfaces to be spread from person to person.

Sorry to say this, but the most logical way to prevent getting Trich or any other STD is to refrain from having sex. If that is impossible, then abstain from sexual activity with more than one partner or with someone who has more than one partner. That will surely reduce the risk of contracting any STD including Trich. Also properly and consistently using a latex condom or a female polyurethane condom also decreases the risk of contracting any STD’s. Lady’s DO NOT DOUCHE after having sex, this can actually increase your risk of contracting STDs. This is because douching can actually change the natural flora of the vagina and possibly flush bacteria higher into the genital tract increasing chance of STD.

Symptoms usually appear in women between 4 to 28 days after having sex with an infected person. However, 50% of women are asymptomatic (have no symptoms) when it comes to Trich and never get treatment. Usually if left untreated for six months, women then start showing some of the symptoms listed below.

* Vaginal discharge ranging in color from gray to green to yellow.

* Foul odor, smells fishy.

* Sourness, tenderness, and itching if the genital area.

* Pain during urination.

* Uncomfortable during sexual intercourse.

* Itching or soreness of the labia and inner thighs.

* Swollen labia.

Just be sure that you make sure your teenage daughter knows a normal female discharge is usually clear or whitish and has no odor. This will ensure that she will know if anything is wrong.
Males who have Trichamoniasis have the tendency to be more asymptomatic than females. Of the men who do seek treatment, typically do so because of an infected partner, not necessarily because of showing any symptoms. Of the men who do show symptoms of Trich would experience:

* Urethral itching.

* Burning after urination or ejaculation.

* Urethral discharge, frothy or pus-like.

* Painful/ difficult urination.

* Inflammation of the prostate gland.

If you think that some of the symptoms you are experiencing may be Trich, then go see your doctor. The doctor will determine whether it is Trichamoniasis by giving a pelvic or genital examination and by testing a sample of vaginal or urethral discharge. Sometimes a doctor will detect Trich through a Pap smear.

Trich can be treated with prescription medication and both partners should be treated at the same time, even if one has no symptoms.

And what to do if your budget allows for neither …

Awhile back the “Grants” listserv of CharityChannel, the Internet’s premier resource for nonprofit information, featured a lively debate about the merits of Metasoft’s BIG Online subscription database versus The Foundation Center’s Foundation Directory Online database. The merits of Guidestar’s Grant Explorer were even touched upon.

Both programs offer their users a variety of methods to seek out foundation funders. Both obtain their information through foundations’ 990 tax forms. And, based on feedback, both BIG Online and Foundation Directory Online share an equal number of loyal fans.

However, the fact is there are many nonprofit organizations whose budgets (or executive director’s mindsets) do not allow for choosing ANY foundation prospecting tool, let alone BIG Online, which will run you thousands for a six-month (their shortest) run.

What’s a smaller nonprofit organization with limited resources to do? Is it possible to still seek out those little known national and regional foundations whose missions align with yours? Without expensive tools and connections, how will my little $250,000 annual budget children’s arts organization find foundation support to grow and create new programming?

With an internet connection, preferably high speed, some time and practice, and a number of detecting tools, even those on very limited budgets can regularly seek out foundations that will support your mission – year after year.

Your best start is a foundation directory. Almost every state, with exceptions such as Alaska and Hawaii, publish one and sometimes several. More and more these directories are moving to Internet subscription-based services – but they’re still a deal.

AIDS diagnosis can be done using body fluids (like blood, saliva), or by using body cells (such as those from the inside of the cheek) of the patient as the sample for HIV testing.

Currently, there are two types of tests that are very commonly used to diagnose an HIV infection in a person. The first test is called ELISA (Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay) test, which looks for the presence of antibodies produced by the host’s body in response to the attack by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. The second test is called PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) test, which looks for the presence of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus itself in the body of the host.

If the ELISA test is positive, it indicates that the antibodies (specific to the Human Immunodeficiency Virus) are present in the host’s body. However, this positive result of the ELISA test needs to be confirmed by conducting others more specific tests such as the Western Blot or Immunoflouroscent Assay (IFA). If the result of this test is also positive, then the person is said to be HIV positive or seropositive.

However, there are some drawbacks to the IFA Test and they are as follows:

1) The HIV specific antibodies are not detectable until 3 to 6 months after contacting the infection

2) The prolonged wait until the results of the test are available.

To overcome this drawback, another test known as the Rapid Test (which has almost the same level of accuracy as the ELISA test) is being used currently. It gives the results in just 5 to 30 minutes, although the test is comparatively much more expensive.

The PCR test is capable of detecting the genetic material of HIV and can, therefore, detect the presence of the virus in a person’s within a few days of contacting the infection.

Other tests for diagnosing HIV include Radio Immuno Precipitation Assay (RIPA), Rapid Latex Agglutination Assay, and p24 Antigen Capture Assay.

Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease. It is menacing, silent and caused by the bacteria Chlamydia Trachomatic. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control calculates the approximate costs linked with Chlamydia in the United States are to be over $2 billion annually. Since Chlamydia often shows no symptoms, the disease frequently goes untreated until it has caused serious consequences in both men and women.

However, in about 15-25% of the cases of Chlamydia in women, and 50% of cases in men, there are symptoms. You should see a doctor to be checked for Chlamydia if you are active sexually and having any of the following symptoms:

- a yellowish, pussy or mucous-y vaginal discharge

- burning with urination

- a persistent, smelly vaginal discharge

- any discharge from your anus

- light vaginal bleeding or spotting, especially right after intercourse

- frequent lower abdominal pain, particularly if it worsens during menstruation

- anal bleeding

- frequent lower back pain, particularly if it worsens during menstruation

If Chlamydia goes untreated, it may result in more serious conditions which affect the urethral and reproductive systems. In females, it may cause scarring that can block the fallopian tubes, resulting in infertility and increasing the risk of an ectopic pregnancy. In an ectopic pregnancy, a fertilized egg implants itself in the fallopian tube rather than in the uterus. This can result in rupture of the fallopian tube which may be fatal. The disease may also cause urethral scarring, especially in men, and can cause low fertility and infertility.

Chlamydia can also result in chronic pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which may lead to persistent and chronic pelvic pain, and infertility. According to CDC statistics, 40% of women with untreated Chlamydia will develop PID, and of those, 20% will become infertile because of it. 18% will deal with chronic pain seriously affecting their day to day life, and 9% will have an ectopic pregnancy. Even more alarming, other recent studies have asserted that women with Chlamydia are from 3-5 times more likely to acquire HIV when exposed to it.

If you’ve experienced mild outbreaks of the herpes virus, the astragalus membranaceus root blended with certain vitamins and minerals can possibly provide dependable, natural relief. According to some studies, astragalus can potentially act as an effective herbal treatment against the herpes virus 1 and 2. Though more testing is needed, astragalus has been used for medicinal purposes in Chinese medicine, and is usually recommended for herpes prevention rather than to treat a crisis.

Astragalus is now becoming more popular in modern day Western medicine. Vitamins and supplements on the market today such as ImmunaSure, which was co-created by Dr. John Sherman, blend astragalus with lemon balm and de-odorized garlic to create a powerful support for the immune system.

What is Astragalus?

Astragalus belongs to the legume family called Fabaceae and sub-family called Faboideae. Native to the Northern Hemisphere regions, astragalus is often called milk-vetch, goat’s-thorn, and locoweed. There are 2,000 species of herbs and shrubs in the Fabaceae family. The astragalus root comes from perennial plants that thrive in northern China as well as Mongolia. It has been used as a staple in Chinese medicine for centuries. Astragalus roots for medicine must be at least four years old and dried before they can be used as natural supplements.

Benefits of Astragalus

Astragalus root has several components that are believed to help strengthen the immune system. These are flavonoids, saponins, polysaccharides, astragalosides, and triterpenes. The root is believed to ward off infections and works by helping the skin to eliminate toxins from the body. Astragalus root can help reduce sweating and also acts as a mild diuretic. In America, studies have been conducted to show astragalus root can indeed help boost the immune system’s T-cells, even for patients who are undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatments for cancer.

Astragalus contains probiotics to help boost the body’s good bacteria in the digestive tract. Another benefit is that astragalus root helps to protect the adrenal cortex, a hormone-producing gland that affects stress levels in the body. Saponins in the root can help prevent blood clots that may lead to stroke or a heart attack.

Uses for Astragalus

Astragalus root can be blended in a natural supplement or multivitamin and taken orally in capsule form. It can also be taken in powdered form as a tea or tincture. Astragalus in ointments can be used topically to help treat exterior wounds and other skin ailments.

Important Note: Always consult with a doctor before using astragalus or other vitamins and supplements – especially if you have an auto-immune condition, are a transplant recipient, are pregnant or breast-feeding, or if you are a hemophiliac. Astragalus may also react negatively to certain medications.

With strengthening of the immune system, the body will better be able to fight against herpes virus 1 and 2. Though there is no definite cure for herpes, the unwanted cold sores and other herpes symptoms can possibly be lessened with this remarkable root as a natural supplement!

There is an array of different sexually transmitted diseases that are becoming more commonly transmitted in this day and age. One of these sexually transmitted diseases that is rather taking center stage today is chlamydia. Chlamydia is becoming fairly common amongst sexually active people who have multiple partners. With this in mind, if you are sexually active, it is important for you to have a basic understanding of chlamydia. Through this article, you are provided the basic information that you need in order to better understand this sexually transmitted disease.

In the United States alone, nearly 3 million new cases of Chlamydia infection are reported each and every year. Chlamydia is one of the common of the sexually transmitted diseases in the world today.

Many people with Chlamydia show no symptoms at all and do not know that they are infected. If left untreated, Chlamydia can lead to serious health complications. Internationally, Chlamydia is one of the leading causes of blindness. The reality is that Chlamydia can easily be treated with antibiotics.

About 50% of the women infected with Chlamydia will end up with pelvic inflammatory disease. A significant number of women do not find out that they have Chlamydia until such time as they have been infected for an extended period of time. Women with Chlamydia are five times more likely to contract HIV if they are exposed to that particular infection than those women who do not have Chlamydia and are exposed.

Men with Chlamydia tend to end up with an infected urethra or an infected prostate. In rare instances Chlamydia can lead to sterility in men.

Over the course of the past six years, lab tests used to detect Chlamydia have become far more effective. However, while lab tests have become more effective, many people still do not realize they have the disease due to the lack of symptoms in many instances. Therefore, as will be discussed in a moment, regular testing for Chlamydia should be sought if you are sexually active.

Doctors now recommend that is a person is sexually active he or she should be tested for different sexually transmitted diseases, including Chlamydia. There is no specific protocol for men to be tested. However, when it comes to pregnancy women, medical experts maintain that all pregnant women should be tested for Chlamydia. Chlamydia can spread to a baby during child birth.

The best defense against Chlamydia if you are sexually active is using a condom during sexual encounters. The regular and proper use of a condom can be very effective in preventing the spread of Chlamydia as well as other sexually transmitted diseases. If you think you have been exposed to Chlamydia or any other sexually transmitted disease, you need to see your doctor immediately.

Syphilis is a transmitted disease caused by a spirochaete bacterium, Treponema pallidum. Syphilis has a myriad of presentations and can mimic many other infections and immune-mediated processes in advanced stages. Syphilis is passed from person to person through direct contact with a syphilis sore. Sores occur mainly on the external genitals, anus, or in the rectum. Syphilis can also be passed from mother to infant during pregnancy causing a disease called congenital syphilis. Any active person can be infected with syphilis, although there is a greater incidence among young people between the ages of 15 and 30 years. It is more prevalent in urban than rural areas. Syphilis can be frightening because if it goes untreated, it can lead to serious health problems and increase a person’s risk for HIV, the human immunodeficiency virus that causes AIDS.

Syphilis can be acquired or congenital. Primary syphilis occurs within 3 weeks of contact with an infected individual. Syphilis has many alternate names, including syph, Cupid’s Disease, the Pox, lues, and the French disease. The signs and symptoms of syphilis are myriad; before the advent of serological testing, diagnosis was more difficult and the disease was dubbed the “Great Imitator” because it was so often confused with other diseases. Syphilis cannot be spread through contact with toilet seats, doorknobs, swimming pools, hot tubs, bathtubs, shared clothing, or eating utensils. The final stage of syphilis is called tertiary syphilis and is characterized by brain or central nervous system involvement, cardiovascular involvement with inflammation of the aorta, and gummatous syphilis. Left untreated, syphilis can lead to serious complications or death. But with early diagnosis and treatment, the disease can be successfully treated.

Causes of Syphilis

The common causes and risk factor’s of Syphilis include the following:

A bacterium called Treponema pallidum.

Transfusion of infected blood.

Direct contact with a syphilis sore on the body of an infected person.

An infected pregnant woman can also pass the disease to her unborn child.

Having with more than one partner.

Symptoms of Syphilis

Some sign and symptoms related to Syphilis are as follows:

The first symptom of syphilis is often a small, round, firm ulcer called a chancre (“shanker”) at the place where the bacteria entered your body.

Fever.

Enlarged lymph nodes in your groin.

Positive serology.

Extragenital chancres occur most commonly above the neck, typically affecting the lips or oral cavity.

Rash – Bilaterally symmetric.

Soreness and aching.

Fatigue and a vague feeling of discomfort.

Treatment of Syphilis

Here is list of the methods for treating Syphilis:

Penicillin, an antibiotic, injected into the muscle is the best treatment for syphilis. If you are allergic to penicillin, your health care provider may give you another antibiotic to take by mouth.

In patients with allergy to penicillin, skin testing and desensitization are recommended.

Pregnant women with a history of allergic reaction to penicillin should undergo penicillin desensitization followed by appropriate penicillin therapy.

Avoid having while being treated, to reduce the chances of getting the infection again or transmitting it to someone else.

Bed rest, pain relievers (such as aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen ), and liquids can help.

Alternative treatment regimens should be used only in cases of documented penicillin allergy.

Juliet Cohen writes articles for diseases cure and health care information. She also writes articles on skin diseases.

Condoms are test tube-like sheaths made out of latex or polyurethane. Its use in Uganda must have started after the establishment of the Aids Control Programme in 1987 -to educate the public about how to avoid becoming infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) -under the clinical umbrella of; Abstinence, Being -faithful and Use of condoms (ABC).

Studies have confirmed that condoms are highly effective method of preventing HIV/AIDS -with effective rates ranging between 80% and 95% -depending on how they are effectively and consistently used. While female condoms, which give a woman more bargaining position, are at 98% (Population Action International, 2008).

According to World Health Organization (WHO) and the United States National Institute of Health, intact condoms are essentially impermeable to particles the size of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) pathogens -including the smallest Sexually Transmitted Virus (STV).

Much of the percentages for effective rates vary from one information source to another -all of which do not reach 100%. Yet one would be dealing with a life threatening disease. Greater confidence has shown on how condoms are manufactured, under strict quality control measures, which too stipulate that they are safe. But quality measurements are done basing on a merely on a particular sample of say, five or ten. What quality assurance, then, could one give to those outside the sample?

And with inaccessibility problem still at hand, where in Uganda, the gates to health bodies are now wide open to catch the virus. Mayuge District, with one of the greatest cases of teenage pregnancy, and probably, most fertile people, access is very remote. Yet the majority of Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) are more in towns than rural areas. This puts health security at stake.

Firstly, in one independent survey carried out on HIV risk in Mayuge, young people, at least once, had unprotected sex. While at the same time, HIV testing facilities there are a dream. They could only be accessed at the main referral hospital. Now, how reliable could the prevalent rates be if in just one district the situation as that bad?
Secondly, absence of female condoms makes women entirely at risk of infection. If their male counter-part could find accessibility difficult, what would be the fate of women, who at all, lack key bargaining position; the female condoms?

Nevertheless, saying they (condoms) are effective, alone, is not enough because it would be a situation involving nature, fear and decision making to guarantee its usage. Not withstanding the fact that society has trained men to be brave, and women to be submissive, soft-hearted, and just to say yes to men’s advances. Given that background, how effective could condoms in particular and ABC strategy in general be?

Sex education too has not been adequate across post-primary and tertiary institutions. Well, an institution like Makerere University has Pastor Martin Ssempa -who has played a noble role in rallying students against HIV through abstinence slogan. As matter of fact, his works are already in the history of Uganda’s fight against HIV/AIDS.

But, firstly, are other schools and tertiary institution in similar motion against HIV/AIDS? Secondly, with the abstinence bit, as the value, does Ssempa’s team carry out annual survey to determine impact of his abstinence crusade?

Moreover, with the curiosity, that new students show, especially those joining universities from mainly strict homes and single schools; would be up to nothing, but to buzz into anyone that can treat the long awaited motive. Really, Ssempa’s abstinence gospel could be challenged. Yet, also, those arriving at universities; the land of the free could be like dogs that have just been let out.

Like, Ssempa, the Catholic Church is against condom use -preferring the mental condom. But with young people screaming hard to respond to their biological clocks, most obviously, could skip the church’s ditch, and manage “time” effectively. Moreover, for those who could be hit hard by the orthodox teaching, may suffer from secondary impotence. They could have got so much used to sexually restricted life, and then, feel most comfortable to do otherwise.

For domestic violence, child abuse, refugee camps, and conflict areas -where the risk of contracting HIV could be potentially high by virtue of the situation, and with condom use definitely un-negotiated, ABC and condom use in particular, would sound like here say to them. And neither Ssempa nor latex material would apply here.
Lack of knowledge about condom use could adversely count big for the young people. Even those, who have their access, might be using them without basic know how. They could, for example; be part of the cases that use same condom throughout the sex exercise, add unauthorized lubricants, use more than one or more condoms, fail to change at different stages of sex intercourse and unaware of when and under what circumstances he would change. What a mess!

Much of the effort, instead, must be on testing sexual partners that not only are about-to-marry, but also adolescents could be encouraged before joining sexual affairs. In about the same context, Uganda must face the reality that kids as early as 8 to 10 are at the stage of experimenting sexual feelings.

And thus; there is no reason, for sure, why condom distribution would be discouraged in primary schools. Are there records of no HIV transmission in the age bracket therein? It is something the country must take care of.

Meanwhile, sex education and life skills training could be started -where they are not, and strengthened, where they are. It would be with such a combination of training programmes that child or young adult would know how to deal with adolescent changes, pressures and/or inappropriate feelings as they emerge.

Truly, schools and tertiary institutions might need to change with changing times. How would it be if a child or student, who passed well at school went out and failed to approach life wholly? And, how would it feel if an ex-student ended up drowning into alcohol and drugs, fraud, drop out of school, join prostitution and, above all; catch HIV?

Jacob Waiswa

“I am the Grandmother of all growth, all growing things, all life. I am the grandmother of bacteria and viruses as well as plants and animals, fish and insects. When you throb with life these other lives live with you. When your life force ebbs, they live on you, growing grotesque without the check of your immunity.

“Do you feel proud of your sexuality my child? Your immune system thrives on true pride; and fails when subjected to blame and shame, guilt and mortification. Walk tall; smile often; be flexible, let life fill you, and you will have little to fear from most viruses you meet.”

“… for women who exhibit the earliest signs of HPV infection, the best prescription may be no treatment at all,” according to Karyn Herndon at Northwestern University Medical School in Chicago. “Three out of four women in the observation-only group lost their flat warts – a finding that suggests that the body’s immune system can drive the virus into a dormant state.”(1) Women treated with laser removal of cervical warts were twice as likely as untreated women to have precancerous and cancerous changes occur in the following years.

Having an HPV infection is “like having the sniffles,” says Anna-Barbara Moscicki, MD. “It’s an infection your body can usually handle … and get rid of.”(2) In a study of 600 sexually active women aged 13 to 21, half became infected with HPV over a 10 year period; 70% of those women did not develop lesions or warts at all, and only 10% of those who did have lesions were diagnosed with cervical cancer.(3)

Many of the papilloma viruses are non-contagious, but some – especially those that give rise to plantar warts and genital warts (HPV) – are not only contagious, but widespread and stealthy. They are resilient enough to live outside the body. Shed skin cells containing the viruses can remain infectious for several days in warm, moist places.(4) And symptomless people can pass HPV to others. Some of the viruses that cause genital warts are benign; others can give rise to deadly cancers.

Of the 20 types of HPV which colonize the genital area, four are known to initiate cervical cancer, a usually slow-growing cancer which is currently responsible for the deaths of more women in Africa, Asia, and India (where Pap smears are not routine) than any other cancer.(5) Several HPV are implicated in penile and rectal cancer as well. HPV is the most common STD in the USA and Europe, with more than six million new cases a year in the USA.(6) At least 50%, and probably closer to 100% of all non-vaccinated sexually-active people will be infected over their lifetime. During a three-year study, 40% of a group of female college students acquired HPV infections.(7) Fortunately, only a small percentage of HPV infections generate cancer, and we can do much to insure we aren’t in that small percent.

Once infected with human papilloma virus, you are infected for life. There is no known cure and no medically-approved treatment. The best strategy is to nourish the immune system.

Homeopathic Thuja is a “ground remedy” for the genitals, and is especially indicated when there are genital warts.(8) Higher dilutions, such as 30C, are best.

While there is no food that prevents or cures HPV infections, the likelihood of warts or cancer is determined by the immune system – which can be nourished and strengthened with whole grains, well-cooked greens, roots, cabbage family plants, olive oil, organic dairy products and meats, onions, garlic, seaweed, mushrooms, and nourishing herbal infusions of astragalus, burdock, and nettle.

St. Joan’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) is a natural antiviral. One of its alkaloids, pseudo-hypericin, kills HIV. But ingesting it in concentrated form causes hypersensitivity to sunlight, making it useless as a drug. Fortunately, the tincture of the fresh plant – even in large, frequent doses – counters viruses without triggering sensitivity. Avoid capsules or teas; they can cause sensitivity. When I feel the need to prevent a viral infection, I use one dropperful of Hypericum tincture in a little water three or four times a day for a few days. When I want to treat viral infections, I use one or two dropperfuls in water every hour or two until symptoms abate, and continue at a lower dose until I no longer need it.

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) and hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis) are mint family plants with antiviral constituents which are especially effective as salves.

Celandine (Celadonium majus) juice is the most effective way I know to remove external genital warts. It is safe, painless, and easy to use if you live where evergreen celandine grows – in Europe, in North America, from Nova Scotia to Georgia and west to Missouri, throughout Europe, and in waste places in temperate-zone cities. The fresh sap from leaf stalks or the root works fastest, and best, but topical applications of tincture are somewhat effective, too.

American mandrake (Podophyllum peltatum) is the acknowledged queen of external genital wart destruction. This poisonous plant is used in a concentrated form – Podophyllin – as a topical treatment. Although plant-based, Podophyllin can cause severe side-effects, including burns that scar, fatal reactions, and birth defects or fetal death if used during pregnancy. To prevent damage to healthy tissues, all skin except for the warts must be thoroughly covered with petroleum jelly before it is applied, and the Podophyllin must be wiped off before it penetrates too deeply, usually within one to four hours. Weekly treatments over six or more weeks are the norm. A less concentrated, and thus safer form – Podofilox – is available by prescription for use at home. (But trichloroacetic acid is safer, and celandine is more fun.)

Eastern white cedar, Thuja occidentalis, is the “tree of life.” Thuja is primarily a homeopathic remedy, but thuja tincture or essential oil applied twice a day to genital warts can “burn” them off.

Trichloroacetic acid is as effective as Podophyllin in removing warts, but less likely to leave scars or provoke severe systemic reactions, and is considered safe to use during pregnancy.(9) It is applied in the doctor’s office, usually weekly for six weeks.

Colposcopy is a close examination of the cervix with magnifying binoculars after it has been bathed with acetic acid (vinegar), which turns HPV-infected tissues bright white. You do not have to agree to a biopsy if you agree to a colposcopy; testing for HPV-DNA is better in many ways. If you do agree, biopsy forceps will be used to “chomp” out pieces of cervical tissue for microscopic examination by a pathologist.

Testing cervical cells for the presence of DNA from cancer-causing HPV is “just as effective as a biopsy of cervical tissue, with less expense,” according to researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington, DC. Screening every woman over 20 every two years with an HPV-DNA test would reduce the number of cervical biopsies by 60%, they conclude.(10) A woman who tests negative for HPV, as 45% of women will, does not need a colposcopy. If the test if positive for HPV, there’s still only a 10-20% chance that she will require treatment.(11)

“It is not known how many women who have had expensive [and painful] laser surgery or … cryosurgery are informed beforehand that the treatment is purely cosmetic and has a high recurrence rate.”(12)

Before you agree to any procedure, remember that removal of infected tissue does not remove the virus, which remains ready to recur when the immune system is at an ebb. Surgery doesn’t cure HPV, and because it is a major stress to the immune system, it can increase the chances that a given lesion will progress to cancer.

“Regardless of treatment, one in four HPV-infected people will have a recurrence within three months.”(13)

Footnotes:

1. “The cervical dilemma: Some warts may be better left untreated,” Kathy A. Fackelmann, Science News, 139: 362 3, June 8, 1991

2. “HPV doesn’t have to spell cancer,” Christie Aschwanden, Health, Jan/Feb 2002

3. Ibid

4. “Contagion: A sometimes lethal sexual epidemic that condoms can’t stop,” Jerome Groopman, New Yorker, September 13, 1999

5. “Contagion,” Jerome Groopman, New Yorker, 1999

6. “FDA licenses new vaccine …,” FDA news release, June 2006

7. “Contagion,” Jerome Groopman, New Yorker, 1999

8. Natural Healing in Gynecology, Rina Nissim, Pandora, 1984 (p. 43)

9. Our Bodies, Ourselves, Boston Women’s Health Book Collective, 1998

10. “Adding an HPV,” Cornell Uni. Women’s Health Advisor, July 2002

11. “One Way to Avoid Unnecessary Testing After Ambiguous Pap Results,” HealthFacts, May 2001

12. “Screening for Cervical Cancer,” HealthFacts, XV (136), Sept 1990

13. PDR Family Guide to Women’s Health, Medical Economics, 1994