STD Testing Info

America’s multibillion-dollar porn industry was in crisis last night after two of its major stars tested positive for HIV.

The news has shocked the industry, which is largely based in southern California’s San Fernando Valley. Sets and studios were closed as the news spread and actors, actresses and producers rushed to health clinics for HIV tests. The exposure of the industry’s dark side is a major blow to a film sector trying to boost its image as professional and mainstream.

Most major companies have decided to halt filming for 60 days so that anyone who starred in films with the infected performers can have health check-ups. The industry produces about 4,000 films a year, with sales estimated to be worth up to $13bn a year. The industry’s temporary closure is likely to hit the local economy hard.

‘It’s very scary,’ said Mary Carey, a porn star who ran for governor of California last year. ‘This is a wake-up call for everybody.’

Despite its seedy image of sex and exploitation, many industry figures say the US porn industry is a well-run, highly regulated business. About 1,200 performers are tested monthly for a variety of sexual diseases, including HIV, gonorrhoea and syphilis. Most production firms refuse to give work to performers who cannot produce a clean blood test taken within the last month.

There have been scares before. In 1999 a male actor tested HIV positive. A year earlier another male actor infected five women.

This time one of the infected performers is Darren James, who is believed to have contracted the disease while filming in Brazil. Afterwards he was tested for HIV and shown to be negative, but it is believed the test was conducted too soon. A subsequent test, taken after James had resumed filming in the US, proved positive. James is said to be devastated by the news.

It is believed he infected teenage Canadian porn star Lara Roxx, who had only been in the industry for three months. A further 65 performers have been identified as having had sex with either of the two actors or with someone else who did. All are now being tested.

The names of many of the actors and actresses who had sexual contact with the pair were posted on the website of the Adult Industry Medical Health Care Foundation, a clinic set up by the industry. The clinic has been overwhelmed by calls from concerned performers. Clinic founder Sharon Mitchell said a news conference will be held next week to announce further details.

Mitchell – a former adult actress who went to college to earn a master’s degree in public health before opening her clinic – said it was hoped the outbreak had been dealt with. ‘This situation is considered a successful containment of two isolated HIV cases,’ she said.

It is thought James and Roxx had unprotected sex while filming; something that is becoming increasingly rare in mainstream pornographic films.

The news has thrown the industry into panic. Vivid Entertainment, the US’s largest porn company, has ceased production after initially saying its health safeguards would allow it to continue filming.

Jill Kelly, a former porn star who has become a major business figure in the adult industry, was typical of many producers who announced a temporary end to shooting. ‘It’s going to hurt some people (financially), but who cares? It’s about safety now and people’s lives,’ she said.

The crisis comes at a difficult time for the industry. Pornography, driven by the explosion of internet porn, has never been more popular. Several soap operas on US television have been based in or around the San Fernando studio scene. A current Hollywood film, The Girl Next Door, is about a retired porn star, yet the film has been billed as a teen comedy. At the same time there is a conservative backlash in the US against sexual images in the media.

The HIV scare is likely to add fuel to the fires of those who criticise the industry as immoral and unhealthy and is likely to prompt calls for tighter official regulation.

Unusual mucus or other substances coming from the vagina is a common problem and this discharge is usually because of some infection and is associated with pain, burning, itching and painful urination. It is not necessary that all the infections are sexually transmitted so you should not assume that vaginal discharge is always an STD.

Irritation of the vagina also known as vaginitis is the most common reason for discharges and is usually caused by infection. There are mainly three types of vaginal infections and these all could be treated with oral or vaginal medications. Such infection tends to produce a distinct discharge:

1. Usually there is a thick, white cottage cheese like discharge that is itching, irritated skin, yeast infection or candidiasis. Women those who suffer from diabetes and those who take antibiotics are more prone to develop such infection. Most of the women face at least one yeast infection at some point in their lives.

2. There is a thin, yellow, foul smelling discharge known as trichomonas that is also transmitted sexually.

3. Other symptoms include thin, gray or white foul smelling discharge known as bacterial vaginosis.

Pelvic inflammatory disease is frequently caused STD that infects the cervix, uterus, ovaries or fallopian tubes and is one of the most common and serious complications of an STD. Symptoms include vaginal discharge or bleeding with lower abdominal pain and fever. Chronic PID could result into one or more infections and the most common symptoms that could be identified are gonorrhea or Chlamydia that are sexually transmitted.

Genital Herpes can also produce vaginal discharge and it could affect the cervix. It includes features such as fever, itching, headache and general muscle aches. Some women also get infection inside the uterus and this condition is known as endometriosis causing fibroid tumors, cancer or STD’s.

Sometimes a hole develops in the vagina and because of the passageway caused stool or urine passes through the vagina. This problem can develop after a surgery or injury in the area, infection, inflammation or radiation.

Inflammation in the vagina is also caused because of lack of estrogen and as a woman enters into menopause her body produces increasing erratic amount of estrogen. This often makes the vagina dry out and get irritated. This condition is also known as atrophic vaginitis and could be treated by estrogen replacement therapy, vaginal creams or vaginal suppositories.

Sexually transmitted diseases can be spread through sexual, anal or oral intercourses. Please read these STD symptoms carefully and visit a doctor immediately if you have any, especially if you have multiple sexual partners.

Syphilis in the first stage is indicated by the presence of sores in the mouth or the genital region. These sores last about five weeks generally heal by themselves. Fever, patchy hair loss, headaches, weight loss and swollen glands with no itch indicate the second stage. Paralysis, gradual blindness dementia and death are a possibility in the last stage of syphilis. The infection is treated with antibiotics.

Chlamydia usually has no visible symptom. There is an abnormal discharge from the vagina and penis. It could also be accompanied with pain in the testicles and burning sensation during urination. Pelvic organ inflammation is also seen in women. Chlamydia has to be treated with oral antibiotics.

Genital Herpes are of two kinds. HSV-1 causes cold sores and fever blisters in the mouth but can be spread to the genitals. HSV-2 usually occurs on the genitals bit can spread to the mouth. An outbreak of Herpes causes painful blisters to appear on the genital organs, buttocks or thighs. There is no cure. An antiviral drug can help the pain and itching and also reduce the frequency of frequent outbreaks.

Gonorrhea is indicated by pain or burning while urination. There may be a yellowish or sometimes, even a bloody discharge from the penis or vagina. A sexual intercourse may itself be painful. Gonorrhea is treated with oral antibiotics.

Chancroid is indicated by tiny swellings in the genital organs. These swellings gradually turn into ulcers and are usually painful. Often, there is an associated tenderness in the lymph nodes. Chancroid is treated with oral antibiotics.

Hepatitis B causes mild fever, headaches, muscle aches and joint pain. It is also accompanied by loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting. Fortunately, there is hope that all future cases of the infection will be eliminated by routine immunizations of all children with the Hepatitis B vaccine.

HIV Symptoms And AIDS is probably the most widely spread sexually transmitted disease. Although there is no specific symptom that indicates HIV infection, many people develop a non-specific illness 2 to 4 weeks after they have been infected. Fever, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle and joint pains, headache and sore throat can characterize this initial illness. On average, people are ill for up to 2 weeks with the initial illness. In rare cases, the initial illness has occurred up to 10 months after infection. It is also possible to become infected with the HIV virus without having recognized the initial illness. When the symptoms of the HIV are acute, the disease is known as the Acquired Immunodeficiency Virus (AIDS). This disease has no permanent cure.

The list and their symptoms can continue for pages. However, it is always better to be safe than sorry. Use of precaution and avoiding multiple sexual partners is the key.

Genital warts are the most common STD or sexually transmitted disease that plagued almost 50% of sexually active men and women at some point in their lives. Suffering from this disease is not only embarrassing but there are also health concerns surrounding this contagious disease. It is caused by Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and of course, it can be transmitted through sexual contact. It is important to stop genital warts at the onset of the infection to avoid other health issues.

There are more than 40 different types of HPV. Some types are responsible for the occurrence of warts outbreak and there are different types of HPV that causes the rare occurrence of cervical cancer and other genital serious diseases. The HPV type that causes genital warts are generally not life threatening but in most cases it brings embarrassment, stress and discomfort to most sufferers. It is important to stop genital warts as soon as possible before it could totally reduce the quality of your life.

Natural remedies are another option to stop genital warts. It has been proven that natural remedies were able to endure the test of time. Despite the presence of advance and sophisticated treatments, natural remedies are still around as an alternative treatment for various illnesses including genital warts.

Sometimes the viruses disappear on its own but it has a high tendency to come back if left untreated. The virus lies inactive until such time that the conditions are right for another attack. It is important to seek medical advice once you suspected that you have the virus. Learning how to stop genital warts will help you get rid of the problem for good.

HPV vaccination is now available to stop genital warts or HPV in women. Although this serves more as prevention and recommended for girls on their teens or before they become sexually active, women who already have HPV will also benefit from it by stopping other types of HPV from infecting them.

Another way to stop genital warts is to be cautious in handling the infection. Do not touch it, prick it or try to remove it by yourself to avoid the spread of infection.

There are also medications to stop genital warts. There are prescription and over the counter drugs for warts treatment. Some comes in the form of creams, acid solution and some need to be injected on the warts. Take note that medicines for face, hands and plantar warts may not be applicable as treatment for genital warts. Ask your doctor or follow the instruction on how to apply the medicine. This method of treatment may require longer period of treatment to see results.

More aggressive treatments like laser and surgery are also an option to stop genital warts. The downside of these treatments is that they are very expensive, require repeat treatments, require longer healing time and may result to permanent scarring.

Did you know that you can stop genital warts naturally at the comfort of your own home in just 3 days? To find out more visit Mole, Wart and Skin Tag Free in 3 days.

Vaginal odor is usually caused from inflammation of the vaginal area. This is almost always a result of infection in or around the vagina. The most common infection that causes this fishy vaginal odor is bacterial aginosis.

What is bacterial vaginosis?

Bacterial vaginosis is an abnormal vaginal condition that is most often recognized by a fishy vaginal discharge. This is a result from an overgrowth of normal bacteria in the vagina. You may have heard of Gardnerella vaginitis. This is what this condition used to be called. It was named after the bacteria that was thought to cause the condition.

New research found that there are several different species of bacteria that live naturally in the vaginal area. Gardnerella is not the only bacteria causing all the odor. The name of this condition has been changed to bacteria vaginosis to reflect these new findings. When all the different species of bacteria become imbalanced, you will notice a vaginal discharge that is associated with a fishy odor.

Bacterial vaginosis is not a STD. It is not passed by sex. It is very embarrassing and disturbing but it is not dangerous. If you notice an unusual discharge, you should have it checked so you can rule out chlamydia and gonorrhea which are serious infections.

Symptoms of bacterial vaginosis?

The symptoms of bacterial vaginosis are a foul, fishy odor and a grayish white discharge. The amount of the discharge varies so there is no amount that is considered “normal”. There are no other symptoms. If you have a vaginal discharge that is abnormal for you, it is a good idea to see a health practitioner to rule out all other conditions. Some women with bacterial vaginosis will experience no symptoms at all.

What causes bacterial vaginosis?

Current research has determined it is an imbalance of natural vaginal bacteria that causes bacterial vaginosis. The problem is it is not possible to determine which bacteria is out of balance. Consequently, locating the offending bacteria and eradicating it is not a solution.

How is bacterial vaginosis diagnosed?

Generally, your doctor will perform a pelvic exam to rule out other, more serious, problems. A sample of the discharge will be collected to examine under a microscope. Bacterial vaginosis can be distinguished from other common problems, such as yeast, with this microscopic exam.

There is a particular test your doctor can perform called a “whiff test”. A drop of potassium hydroxide testing solution is added to the discharge. The result is usually a strong fishy odor.

How do you treat bacterial vaginosis?

The most common treatment for bacterial vaginosis is antibiotics. Usually, onecourse of treatment is successful. A small percentage of women will experience recurrent symptoms within a month. Consequently, a second course of antibiotics will be prescribed.

As women, we know that taking antibiotics to cure this problem will almost absolutely cause another problem, yeast infection. This is why more and more women are seeking natural, herbal remedies for this problem. With the antibiotics, you are trading one problem for another, more difficult, problem.

Are there complications of bacterial vaginosis?

Once bacterial vaginosis is treated, the problem is usually over. No special follow-up is necessary if the symptoms disappear. The infection is not transmitted sexually so sexual partners need not be treated.

If you are pregnant, bacterial vaginosis can cause premature labor, premature birth, infection of the amniotic fluid, and infection of the uterus. You doctor will probably test for bacterial vaginosis early in your pregnancy. Any unusual
discharge during pregnancy should be reported immediately to your doctor or mid-wife.

Is there a safe, natural remedy for bacterial vaginosis?

Enzara, a product manufactured by Selmedica Healthcare, is a great natural remedy for bacterial vaginosis. It eliminates the need for antibiotics so you can treat your problem without getting another problem.

If you have never had a baby before, the first time you visit the OB can be an exciting and scary event, especially if you don’t know what to expect. The exact procedures and routines vary from practitioner to practitioner, but there are a few things that are standard across the board.

As with visiting any new medical doctor, you will first be given a gaggle of forms to fill out while you wait in the waiting room. You will fill out paperwork that gives basic information, your name, address, date of birth, social security number, marital status, spouse’s name, insurance information, date of your last period, etc. You will also probably fill out a medical history form, where you will be asked about past illnesses, injuries, surgeries, and hospitalizations. You will also be asked about your family history as well, and maybe even for some of your spouse’s information too, so it is a good idea for him to come along to this first appointment. Some practitioner’s will also ask questions about your sexual history, as well as talk to you about testing for sexually transmitted diseases. Don’t be offended, it is routine with every pregnant patient, and some STD tests are required by law.

Once you have filled out all of your paperwork, you will probably first meet your practitioner in his or her office, where you will go over the forms that you filled out, find out some background information about your practitioner, and be allowed to ask any questions that you may have. When this is over, you will be ushered into either the waiting room, or a patient examination room, depending on what is available.

A member of the staff will check your weight, blood pressure, pulse, and will likely have you give a urine sample, which will be done at every prenatal visit, to check for signs of protein or sugar, which could be a sign of a potential problem. Once this is done, you may have blood drawn for routine lab work, or may be given forms to take to another site, if your practitioner doesn’t do labs.

You will be asked to disrobe, and your practitioner will do a routine pelvic exam, and will also check your uterus, to try to get a more accurate idea of how far along you are. This can also be confirmed in other methods, blood tests, ultrasound, and amniocentesis as well. You may also get to hear the baby’s heartbeat at this time as well, which can be very exciting, especially for first-time parents. When the exam is complete, your practitioner may talk to you about exercise, diet, and answer any questions that you have. You will be instructed on when to come back in for your next prenatal checkup, and will likely either be given samples or a prescription for prenatal vitamins, which you should take everyday.

You get a lot of information at your first prenatal visit, and it can be overwhelming, so if you think of questions or concerns after you have left, don’t hesitate to call. In fact, your doctor probably expects you to, particularly if this is your first pregnancy.

There are two major problems we are facing with genital herpes today. One is the lack of testing leaving many people infected without knowing it. The other is the ignorance by many people of just how widespread it is making it all the more likely this incredibly annoying disease is not going to go away any time soon. Those who are sexually active and especially with multiple partners are all at risk.

Unfortunately, genital herpes is not curable, only symptomatically treatable. Many people don’t even know they have it. They may have only had one outbreak years ago and mistaken it for something else.

A friend of mine had a scare when a woman he had been seeing for several years (not exclusively) told me after he had had sex with her recently that she thought she was having a genital outbreak and he may have been exposed. She told him she had it years ago one time and took something like Valtrex and got rid of it and had never had a recurrence until recently. She was under the false impression that that meant she was no longer putting others at risk of passing it along.

Some quick facts on HSV (Herpes):

About 1 in 4 to 1 in 5 of those in the US over age 12 test positive for HSV 2 with a blood test that accurately distinguishes between HSV 1 and 2. The scary part is out of those who are positive, only 1 in 10 knew it before they were tested.

70% of new herpes infections are transmitted from someone showing no symptoms at the time they infected their partner.

For women, a negative pap smear for herpes doesn’t mean she isn’t infected.

The current test known as herpes select is a blood test that accurately distinguishes between types 1 and 2 and is available through the major labs Quest and Labcorp.

A positive test doesn’t indicate when you got it only that you do have it.

It’s also important to know it can take several months after exposure for you to test positive. So those who have multiple partners or move from partner to partner frequently are putting themselves and their partners at a much higher risk.

A study on risk produced the following facts:

The risk is about 10% per year that an infected male will transmit HSV 2 to an
uninfected female. That is, if 100 infected men were having one-on-one sex with 100
uninfected women, about 10 women would get infected per year. It’s a little less likely for a woman to pass it to a man – about 4 men out of 100 will get it.

This study was based on no condom use, no sex during herpes outbreaks and no use of daily herpes medications.

Talking about STDs can take all the spontaneity and romance out of sex. Talk about a mood killer. But rather you kill the mood than get something that’ll kill you. Or better yet, get all this unpleasant talk out of the way long before getting physical with somebody.

If you’ve been having your fun and have managed to avoid catching it, don’t forget, the next new partner you hook up with may be carrying it and pass it to you without knowing it until after the fact.

When you are out there whether it’s on dating sites or where ever you are meeting a sexual partner, many people claim they are STD free and tested regularly. While that may be true, what most people don’t realize is that it usually only means they get tested for HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea and maybe warts (which are easy to spot). Unless you specifically request a herpes test, you most likely didn’t get tested for it. This is something that should really be addressed in the public health arena.

A majority of the population has HSV 1 known as the cold sore virus. This can passed orally to give someone genital herpes type HSV 1. HSV 2 can’t be passed genitally to oral, only genital to genital. A person can have one and not the other, or they can have both. However, HSV 1 doesn’t turn into HSV 2 or visa versa. Having one type doesn’t make you immune to getting the other.

So, to summarize, HSV 1 can be transferred orally to genital or genital to genital. HSV 2 is only transferred genital to genital.

***UPDATE***I recently discussed this with a dermatologist who informed me that we’re still not for sure on whether HSV 2 can be transmitted from genital to oral. So it looks like things aren’t figured out yet. Your best bet is to keep your immune system strong though healthy lifestyle choices and being careful out there. Sorry spontaneity is exciting, but it can also result in some unfortunate consequences.

Herpes testing should be made mandatory as part of your annual blood work testing if you are sexually active – not just hiv. although hsv isn’t fatal, it still carries a social stigma with it.

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.

In this day and age, we’ve all been told that STD testing is important for those who are sexually active, but there is a lot more to know about STD testing than “just do it.” Who is a candidate for STD testing? What’s involved in the process? When should you be tested for STDs? Why is it so important? Learn what everybody ought to know about STD testing and how getting tested for STDs has never been easier and more convenient.

STD Testing – The Basics

Everyone, sexually active or not, needs to have basic knowledge of STDs and STD testing.

Anyone who is sexually active should receive routine STD testing. This means anyone who participates in sexual activity of any kind, not just vaginal intercourse, is at risk. The risk of contracting a sexually transmitted disease is increased for those who have more than one sexual partner.

STD testing can be performed at your doctor’s office or local lab. There are various types of STD tests, and not all doctors test for the same diseases. Some STDs may be tested for using blood tests, urine, or cell samples. You may need to have multiple tests depending on your sexual history and possible symptoms.

When it comes to STD testing, the sooner you have it done, the better. Like most diseases, the earlier it is caught, the easier it will be to treat. If you have symptoms of a sexually transmitted disease, the best thing to do is to have yourself and your partner tested. If you’re thinking of becoming sexually involved with a new partner, both you and your partner should be tested first. If you have more than one sexual partner, STD testing is recommended yearly.

The Importance of STD Testing

STD testing is important to protect your health and the health of your partner and future partners. The truth is that most people who transmit STDs don’t even know they have one. That knowledge can be obtained in a simple test and can help protect both you and your partner.

The spreading of STDs is preventable. Diseases such as Chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis are easily curable with simple antibiotics. But in order to treat these STDs, you must be aware of them. STD testing is the first step.

You have a responsibility to receive STD testing, not only to protect your partner and to prevent the spreading of STDs, but also to yourself, your body, and your health.

We’ve all heard about STD testing and how it can help prevent the spreading of STDs. But all the information, all the attention, all the fuss about STD testing is about more than just protecting the health of others – it’s about protecting yourself too.

Why Should I be Tested for STDs?

Anyone who is sexually active should be tested for STDs, because we’re not all-knowing. Not everyone who has a sexually transmitted disease knows about it – in fact, most people don’t. Let’s forget for a moment that you could unknowingly be spreading STDs and endangering the lives of others. Let’s put aside the concern for them, just for now, and focus on you.

Because many sexually transmitted diseases, such as Chlamydia and gonorrhea, may show no symptoms at all, the only way to know you have one is through STD testing. Chlamydia, for example, is an asymptomatic disease that, if left untreated, can cause reproductive problems and infertility. And if you are lucky enough to have a baby, he or she may be born with pneumonia or conjunctivitis as a result of your Chlamydia.

If I’m Already Infected, How Can STD Tests Help Me?

STD tests allow you to know you have a disease early enough to avoid complications. Chlamydia can be treated and even cured so you never have to suffer its consequences.

Early detection with routine STD screenings can help you stay healthy. Some STDs are curable. Others are treatable. Just because you may have an incurable disease, does not mean you’re doomed. There have been many medical advancements in the treatment of STDs.

We’re all familiar with HIV, the virus that can lead to AIDS, but did you know that the presence of other STDs actually increases your risk of becoming infected with HIV if exposed to it? So by being tested for STDs, you’re actually helping to prevent becoming infected with HIV. In addition, if you have already been infected, early detection can help prevent the virus from turning into AIDS. Catch it before it has time to advance with routine STD testing. HIV is a treatable disease, and many people who have it receive treatment and go on to live normal lives because of early detection.

The truth of the matter is – knowledge is power. And the more you know about your own body, the more power you have to control what happens next.